Name: Hersey Cartwright
Blog URL: http://www.vhersey.com/
Twitter handle: @herseyc
Current employer : ABNB Federal Credit Union
How did you get into IT?
After serving in the Army as a communications equipment operator I had a job at a telecommunications company doing component level repair of digital pagers (man that was a long time ago). The pager repair techs also provided help desk support to desktop users. Before long I was administering the network infrastructure, servers, and phone system. My interest has continued to grow from there.
How did you get into working with VMware and becoming a 2012vExpert?
I have to be honest and say I have not always been a fan of server consolidation/virtualization. I was a "don’t like having all my eggs in one basket" hold out. The technology was interesting but at the time I definitely did not feel it was something I wanted in my production environment. Until the day I saw VMware HA in action. I saw a HA demo where they physically pulled the power on a host and after a few moments VMs began to restart on one of the remaining hosts. Back then that was some pretty impressive stuff and I have been hooked on VMware ever since.
A couple years ago I took and then started assisting with the VMware IT Academy (VITA) classes at Tidewater Community College. I spent a lot of time helping out in the lab, assisting the instructor by offering some examples from my experience, and helping students prepare for their VCP test. I was doing this in exchange for time in the TCC lab to practice and study for my VCAP-DCA. I am now an instructor in the program. I still really enjoy the time I get working with the TCC lab.
Teaching has really been a lot of fun. Not only do I enjoy it but I learn a tremendous amount from teaching others about VMware technologies.
What would you tell someone who wanted to get a job like yours to do?
I am a huge advocate for VITA at TCC and I think the classes are a great way to get started with VMware. If you are looking to learn more about VMware check with your local community college or technical school to see if they offer the VITA classes. It is a great way to get exposure to the technology. If you are in the Tidewater area of Virginia have a look at the virtualization program offered at TCC. I look forward to seeing you in one of the classes.
The VMware User Community is amazing. There are a ton of really smart folks out there willing to share their knowledge. Blogs, twitter, VMUGs, if you need help just ask are there is always someone willing to help.
