In the relatively short time that I have been involved with the SQL Community, I have become aware that this group is unlike any other which I have run across in technology, as a whole this community wants to help whether they be everyday DBA or a “superstar” of SQL.  Well, it is time I seek that help, not in the form of a quick question via the awesome #SQLHelp hashtag, but career help.

I need a mentor, that is the long and short of it.  No less of a stalwart in the SQL Community than Paul Randal (T|B) has commented numerous times on the value of having a mentor.  Obviously, since I am writing this post, I agree.

As the person searching for a mentor, perhaps it is time to talk a little bit more about me.  If you simply want to see my work history, my profile on LinkedIn should suffice.  However, if you were to ask how I would describe myself, I would say I am an intelligent, quick learner who wants to know everything possible about SQL Server. There is no question that I am a geek, learning and understanding how SQL works is fun, when I can share my excitement with someone who gets where the excitement comes from.  I realize learning everything is a stretch, but I might I as well aim high and miss by a bit.  I think that I have reached the point of knowing enough to know I do not know very much, though I may be underselling my knowledge.

At the risk of sounding like a bad on-line dating profile, what am I seeking.  You may have noticed that the title of this post implies more than one mentor, that is because I like the idea of having a mentor or two, perhaps even someone local and someone national.  My mentor needs to be passionate about SQL and sharing their knowledge.  However, it is critical that my mentor(s) can help to guide me in terms of what I need to learn next, from a general knowledge and a career step perspective.

Where I think I want to go is to be a data platform engineer who has understanding of the whole data system.

In what do I want to be competent?  In other words, these are skills/technologies that I want to be conversant in, able to troubleshoot a bit, but not have them be my go to skills.

• Networking
• Hardware
• SharePoint
• Other databases (Oracle, MySQL, etc.)

In what do I want to be functional?  These are skills in which I am capable of being hired to fill the role, even though they are not my primary skills.

• Virtualizaton
• Storage
• Windows Server/AD
• DNS
• Data warehouse/big data
• SQL Development
• Application development

In what do I want to be rock solid?  These are the primary skills.

• SQL Dataplatorm
• SQL Engine
• SSRS
• SSIS
• SSAS
• PowerShell
• Database Design
• HA/DR
• Monitoring tools (RedGate/SQLSentry/SCOM/Diagnostic Manager/etc.)

If you are interested in talking more about mentoring me, please use the Contact page to get in touch.