I Must Be Out of My Mind!
How could I
possibly be right in the mind to get up at 4:30 am on my Saturday off work and
drive a total of 6 hours in one day to talk work from 8 to 5 on my own dime? I
stopped asking myself this question after the first session of the day and
began wondering when the next SQL Saturday will be and where.
For sixteen
years I have been an Oracle groupie and just about a year ago planned out my
next ten years of education and certification. So, why is this self-professed
groupie cheating on Oracle? I’ll save that for another blog.
SQLSaturday
SQLSaturday was started in 2007 as a
tool for SQL professionals to help strengthen and build their leadership skills
in the SQL Server community, provide valuable training, and nurture vital
professional relationships. These training events are made possible by the movers
and shakers in the industry and many are well known in the country as well as
internationally. The training events, offered on Saturdays, is free to anyone
that would like to learn more about SQL Server. The only fee charged is the
lunch fee of just $10. At my training event #164 in Cleveland, there were piles
of donuts and cookies and drinks throughout the day, along with a nice healthy
lunch.
My Expectations
Since this was
my first SQLSaturday and I am not in a user group, I relied heavily on the websites
description of training. I hoped to gain a better understanding of T-SQL and formulate
a new Microsoft learning path for certification. My biggest fear was that I
would be stuck in a room with vendors giving me a sales pitch. I can pleasantly
say that my expectations were blown out of the water.
My Experience
The great people
that volunteered at this event are some of the most helpful, genuine, down to
earth people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. The Ohio North SQL Server User Group
with the Professional Association for SQL
Server (PASS) organized the event that took place at DeVry University in
Cleveland. The vendors were also very helpful, gracious people and waited for
me to approach them. They appeared to be a team with the SQLSaturday group, and
I enjoyed my leisurely visits with them.
In my estimate,
there were about 100 people that attended. Spread out across 7 rooms, I never
felt lost in a sea of people. All of my speakers were extremely knowledgeable,
successful Microsoft Professionals. All of my speakers were engaging and more
than willing to help. I was even fortunate enough to kick off my day with one
of the founders of SQLSaturday, Andy Warren, when he shared insight and proven
success in Building Your Professional
Development Plan. It was exactly what I needed and far exceeded all my
expectations.
Things First Timers Should Know
Know your schedule before you get there
o
You
will be able to attend six 1 hour sessions. Each hour offers 7 choices. Read
the descriptions of the classes to make sure this is where you want to be.
Print your SpeedPass and cut out
o
You
will receive an email the week before SQLSaturday that has your lunch and
raffle tickets. Print and cut out on the dotted lines.
Dress comfortably
o
The
atmosphere is relaxed and inviting.
Have the Vendors sign your “Bingo Card”
o
One
of the raffle forms you will receive in your packet, when you arrive, will have
the vendor names in boxes much like a bingo card. As you visit each station,
have them sign their box. Once full, you can enter the raffle to win a great
prize like a Kindle Fire.
Bring business cards
o
Easy
and fast way to exchange information and get connected.
Attend the After party
o
Directly
after the day of training, they meet to socialize (aka Network) at a fun
location with lots of fun people.
Contact the user group
o
They
will let you know about events not published online like a Sunday morning
run/walk.
Out of my mind with excitement!
Maybe training
isn’t the best word to describe SQLSaturday. While my Oracle groupie status caused
some reluctance to attend a Microsoft event and the possibility that my
precious Saturday would be wasted, all fears were quickly washed away within
the first hour. I left filled with renewed hope by those that are willing to
volunteer their time and energy to invest a bit of themselves into me.
The
SQLSaturday.com About Page states that the founders and PASS feel these
training events have
“a tremendous, positive impact on the future
of SQL Server and its user communities.”
I think they are
humble.
Blessings,
Shelly
