Name: Craig Waters
Blog URL: blog.rack.org.au
Twitter handle: @cswaters1
Current employer: RACK Consulting
How did you get into IT?
I use to produce dance music and play live gigs in Brighton, UK. I got into the technology more than the music and followed on from there, I use to collect analogue synthesisers and did a lot with MIDI sequencing with an Atari ST, I guess I've always been into computers as I previously owned a ZX Spectrum and my first was a VIC 20 (2K ram!). Started helping friends with their set-ups and then realised I could do it for a living and here are I am…
How did you get into working with VMware and becoming a 2011 vExpert?
I've been the leader of the Melbourne VMware User Group since August 2010, I just missed out on the 2011 vExpert, but made up for that by winning the inaugural 2011 VMUG Leader Awards – President's Award. We also were one of the first VMUGs to hold an All Day user conference outside of North America.
If you are part of the VMware Community and are planning to visit Australia, please get in contact with us as I know a VMUG which would love to host you! Twitter: @mvmug Email: [email protected]
What would you tell someone who wanted to get a job like yours to do?
To get results you need to go above and beyond the day to day stuff, just doing your job well is great but to get noticed then you need to show passion for what you do and get involved with your profession's community (get involved with a local VMUG or other industry user group), this is a great opportunity to network with your colleagues and peers and get your name around. Attending is good, but also consider contributing by sharing your IT experiences, talk about your work or home lab set-up.
The other piece of advice I'd give is to consider working as a customer and a system integrator. The problem with IT is that it's an on-going cycle of learning and the classic
Jimmy Connors' quote "Use it or lose it." really applies so getting some experience working with a system integrator will not only allow you to build your technical skills it will also give you perspective when working with your Customers.
