How did you get involved in VMTN?

I got involved in the community in 2014. I started out by doing something very simple; listening to podcast. At first it seems like you’re not really connected because you’re not participating in a forum, or you’re not going to events, but I started to realize how connected I started becoming by hearing the stories of people who were going to the events, who were participating online and in Social. Through that, I got to hear all of the stories, the inside jokes, the trials and tribulations, the pain points, and really get involved from a listening perspective. From there, became very natural for me to start to reach out to some of these people on Twitter and engage with them, read their blogs, watch the videos, and eventually start going to events. Once I did that it was like the sky was the limit and there is no turning back, and there is no way that I could ever possibly live in a world that includes always amazing talented people.

Which VMware communities are you involved in?

I really see myself as being involved in the larger IT community ecosystem. It’s almost like I’m involved in a ton of different communities, though I really only focus on a couple main ones for a day-to-day engagement standpoint. The large ones, of course, are the VMware User Group VMUG and VMTN. But this is just where I get started. I’m part of the Silicon Valley VMUG leaders group, but I’m also connected to VMTN and am a vExpert for the first time in 2018 which was really exciting for me. The way I engage with the community, however, is more people focused and less community group focused. So the things I do touch a lot of different communities including vBrownBag, the VMTN, VMUG, VMUnderground, and a host of others.

How do you work with VMware day-to-day?

I was extremely excited to get a fantastic role working for VMware on a day-to-day basis. I’m actually here in the Palo Alto office helping those in various different communities in the VMware ecosystem. I don’t just help them use technology, but what I’m focused on is helping them do what they do better, to level up in their careers, and to find more people and resources in the community that can help them do that besides just VMware.

Can you tell me the most rewarding thread you’ve helped answer in the forums?

I don’t have a great story for the forums specifically, whether it be the most difficult thread or the most rewarding thread. I think the best example I could possibly give, as far as what I do to help people and the community, it’s been at the same time the most rewarding and the hardest thing that I’ve done in a community, is to start what I have called the Level Up Project. The first thing that the Level Up Project created was something called the V trail map. The V trail map is a community asset that is meant to pull people into the community who aren’t connected on social media, who don’t listen to podcasts, or read blogs. It helps them understand what resources are out there so that they can do what they do better, and level up in their careers. What it is physically, is a little printed book that has resources like more communities, free online training certification, pass NH section and is curated by what we call an ambassador. This ambassador has stepped forward and agreed to be available on social media for people to come and ask questions. They’ve curated the resources in the book for their section to provide an overview of what something is for example: “What is Ws or VMware on AWS?” “What is vCenter?” It also provides some great resources to get started like, “What’s the best blog post to read?” “What’s the best video to watch first?” “What’s the best podcast to listen to?” The resource is printed specifically because these people aren’t connected digitally to this broader community, but they do come to certain events because they know that these events are important for them and their careers.

The V Trail Map is launched at VMworld each year. We started in 2017, so we’ve now done it two years in a row. Often times, those in the community who are already connected, will take this book and hand it to somebody at the show and tell them what it is, and tell them why it’s so important to get connected. In 2017, we handed out about 250 books, in 2018 we handed out 600, and in 2019 we plan to hand out about 1000.

What advice would you give to community members on learning more and becoming a better professional? 

The number one thing you can do is to network with others. This doesn’t only have to be in person, this can be virtual, for example via social media, reading somebody’s blog, listening to someone’s podcast, watching somebody’s video, and then engaging with them through the content they create. There are a lot of different routes to learning more, but the most important piece about learning is not just consuming content, it is then connecting with somebody about that information that you have learned. This can be discussing it so you can be better at it, or teaching it so that you can not only become better at doing it, but also become better at talking about it. That’s probably the biggest key to become a better professional; being able to articulate the business value, articulate the outcome, articulate anything that you feel needs to be communicated about the end result of what you’re trying to do with the technology.

Some people focus too much on the technology itself, and while that will definitely help you accomplish a goal from a technical perspective, you won’t even be able to get your hands on the technology unless you can articulate what the benefit of the technology is, and how it is connected to a business result. Many people who attend events like VMworld aren’t even able to attend them, unless they can articulate value. They are then allowed to attend the event to increase or to improve their technical skills, as well as network with other people who can help them along their career journey, all while learning that scale of communication is absolutely key.

Are you currently working on any projects you think the VMTN community would be interested in?

The biggest project that I’m working on right now is the 2019 V trail map which is going to expand in size, and its scope. It will include other things that people really are asking for from a career development standpoint, including certifications like AWS, and inclusion of a lot of other communities like V ladies. It will host many other resources and ambassadors to back up those resources that are going to provide a far more comprehensive guide for those looking to level up their careers. Right now, we’re looking for those who want to volunteer and become a part of this effort. We want these volunteers to join the Level Up project and take a step forward as ambassadors to help create the content that are going to help the members of the community when this set launches at VMworld 2019.

How can people follow you or get in touch? 

The best way to get a hold of me Is via Twitter

Find out about the Level Up project and how to get involved here.

You can find lots of great career resources and perspectives on my blog

I always love when people connect with me via LinkedIn

Learn more about the V trail map here 

Thanks Yadin!

Do you see someone frequently answering questions in your favorite forums? Did someone provide support to you recently at a VMUG or over Twitter? Any community involvement counts. Head to the Community Warrior page to nominate a user, or email jenniferg@vmware.com.