How did you get into IT in the first place, how did you get into working with VMware and becoming a 2011 vExpert?
Out of high school I joined the US Navy and trained to be a reactor operator but experienced a medical condition that precluded me from working in that capacity. I was moved to IT and came up on the Windows side but have dabbled in almost all disciplines. I started in operations working with VMware products starting with GSX in 2003 and over time transitioned through engineering to design/ architecture of highly available, highly dynamic x86-based shared infrastructures.
My company’s relationship with VMware has provided me the capability to directly interact with several of Product Managers and provide feedback on multiple occasions.
What would you tell someone who wanted to get a job like yours to do?
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Lots of questions. The answers that are provided, regardless of the person, can help you learn.
- Don’t be afraid to fail but learn from your (and others) failures.
- Stray out of your work comfort zone daily.
