At VMUG events I actively promote the vExpert community and encourage people to apply. To me the VMUG community and the vExpert community are intrinsically linked providing a value that while often understated is massively sought within Vendor communities.
Recently I was asked what vExpert meant to me and how its helped my career, and I wanted to share those thoughts at a time when many people might be applying for the first time, but first a little history.
My first application was around 2013 having been a VMUG Leader for a year. At first I didn’t apply as I had some reservations as many do but was talked into by my friends Steve Lester and Ashley Davies
My reservations were around the deservedness of such an award. I wasn’t a prolific blogger (though I did blog at the time), I didn’t have a massive following nor did I invent anything. I was simply a VMUG Leader who tried to educate and help wherever I could.
What was explained to me and has become so apparent through my time as a vExpert is that while there is no one “type” of us, we do have all have something in common. Take a bunch of passionate techies and you always find some will be great at blogging, others would rather give you a call to talk through your challenge. Some live for a chance to demo a lab and others manage to turn the insanely complicated topic of cloud licensing into an enjoyable hour presentation However to me, ultimately, the vExpert DNA is simply the willingness to share.
To take what we know and have learned and share it in the hope it helps even one person. It is that simple guiding rule that has allowed me be part of a community that would at the ping of a tweet, drop what they were doing and help wherever they can. It takes the “I know someone who might be able to help” to a whole new level of having over 2000 people almost on speed dial, all with their varying skillsets and experiences but all with goal of helping and educating.
I have known people wonder if there blog or tweet really makes that much of a difference. “Why would anyone want to read about my issue with X or my small environment challenge?” they say. I always give the same answer, because we are a community who love to learn, who value you taking the time to share. I have met that blogger who wondered who that “one person” would be that they helped. I was THAT one person.
I have built some close friendships through the program and enjoy seeing all the valuable work and information put back into the community by the vExperts. I say thank you to the members for all the times I have enjoyed reading the blogs, watching the videos, or saying thank you to a computer screen for a workaround your tweet provided
To those that are thinking of applying I say do it! Your script, your fix, your opinions and ideas all matter. It is by the voice of two thousands of “you” that we are all a little wiser, a little more confident, and a little more passion. We are here for that “one person” even if that means its that little sigh of relief when one other tweet confirms “hmm its not supposed to do that”
If you would like to apply vExpert you can do so here. Obviously with great power comes great benefits 😉 and vExpert is no exception. With vExpert you get:
- Network with over 2,000 other vExperts
- Opportunity to apply for 8 Official VMware Business Unit lead vExpert sub programs.
- Invite to our private vExpert #Slack channel
- Opportunity to apply for 10 product BU led vExpert sub-programs
- vExpert certificate signed by our VMware CEO
- Permission to use the vExpert logo on cards, website, etc. for one year
- Exclusive gifts from various VMware partners
- Private webinars with VMware partners as well as NFRs
- Access to private betas (subject to admission by beta teams)
- 365-day eval licenses for most products for home lab / cloud providers
- Private pre-launch briefings via our blogger briefing pre-VMworld (subject to admission by product teams)
- Featured in a public vExpert online directory
- Access to vetted VMware & Virtualization content for your social channels
- Yearly vExpert parties at both VMworld US and VMworld Europe events
- Identification as a vExpert at both VMworld US and VMworld EU
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