DBAs, MCMs and MVPs, Oh My!
In the #SQLFamily, there are several great MVPs and MCMs (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional and Microsoft Certified Masters, respectively) that are always available to help a SQL database administrator in need. Personally, I have not seen this kind of family atmosphere or camaraderie in any other area of technology that I have worked within. There is a great sense of pride in this family and a great sense of honor in helping other administrator and even developers. This is simply unheard of in today’s environment.
There is a flip side to this wonderful community and please do not get upset for what I am about to say as this community has been good to me and I appreciate everything they have done for me. With that being said, it can be intimidating for new people coming into our family. For example, on Friday night, I sat next two big names in the SQL Community, Andy Warren (Blog | Twitter) and Kevin Boles (Twitter), at dinner and quite simply I was awestruck. I should have relished at the chance to bask in their SQL knowledge.
How do you talk to guys of that level? I was intimidated, plain and simple. Can I talk to them on twitter, absolutely as I am not intimidated by their #SQLAwesomeness at that level. Maybe it is just me? Anyone else have trouble with this?
Enjoy!
Posted on March 13, 2012, in Goals and tagged MCM, MVP. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
SQL Swampland 
I know exactly what you mean. I call it #SQLStruck.
It’s hard to transistion from , “Can you sign my book?” to “How ’bout those Marlins?”
I am just finishing up my 3rd year as an MVP, and I can tell you that I am just as intimidated today as I was 3 years ago. There is a lot MVP’s that have a deep understanding that I am not sure I ever will.
All of them are friendly and are willing to help. Most want to just sit and chat if they have time. I highly recommend that you take that chance each time you can. But there are so many very share people in the community and this is the best, and closest community that I have ever seen. Thanks for the post.
–Chris
You talk to MVPs, MCMs et al just like you talk to your friends, coworkers, family or cashier at the grocery store!! Remember, EVERYONE puts their pants on one leg at a time. 🙂 Just because I have almost 40,000 manhours invested in SQL Server doesn’t mean I (or other experienced people) don’t want to interact with someone who only has 4000, or 400 or 0! This is ESPECIALLY true for MVPs, who by the very nature of being an MVP have proven that they enjoy sharing their knowledge with the community.