Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • Finding New Employment

    I have been working for Redgate Software for 15 years (14 as an FTE). I think this is the best job I’ve ever had, and I hope this is the last FTE job that I ever have (fingers crossed).

    Plenty of people have found new jobs during the pandemic, which surprised me. I thought many people would be careful and cautious, but the pandemic opened up remote work, new possibilities, and opportunities that didn’t exist in the past. Both employers and organizations took advantage of the changes to better their situations. I know quite a few friends who found new positions, with better compensation, during the last two years.

    I think that trend continues as technology is an area that is adapts well to remote, hybrid, or in-person work. If you’re looking for a job, or you need to hire some candidates, Brent Ozar put out a post that lets either side post a comment and let people know there are jobs and talented people available. I posted a note about Redgate in there, as we are looking for software developers in the UK.

    There are plenty of other positions. In Denver, I had lunch with a friend working at a new company, Sierra Space. They are growing and hiring quite a few people and they use SQL Server. My son works at ULA, and he said they need people as well. While some businesses struggled the last two years, it seems that many technology companies thrived and there are lots of opportunities out there.

    I am a big proponent of actively managing your career. I give talks on professional development and building your brand. My view is that you should work to improve your skills, showcase them, build a network of colleagues, and then find the dream job that fits you. That’s different for all of us, but a little work and effort can help you find something you love.

    I’m approaching retirement in my 50s, and I love my job. Many of you are much younger and still building careers, learning what you like and don’t like (which is more important). You’re deciding what type of job you want and what interests you. Study, learn, come to SQL Saturdays (or ask your local group to run one), and pick the opportunity that works for you.

    Drive your career forward and I know you’ll be as happy to go to work each day as I am.

    Steve Jones

  • Traveling Observations

    I fly regularly. While I only had one trip during 2020 in the most dangerous time of the COVID pandemic, I flew a record number of miles in 2019 and had 10 trips in 2021. As 2022 progresses, I find myself back in the air and on the road, visiting new and familiar places for work and pleasure. I both enjoy the familiarity of known adventures and the excitement of new places. Already this year I have trips in place to three new places I’ve never visited and I’m hoping to plan more.

    I usually fly to LAX a couple of times a year. I visit Redgate employees in the area or travel to some event. Occasionally it’s a waypoint on a journey to some other city. As a result, I’ve gotten to know the scenery on the way, and the view is one I never get tired of.

    The mountains of Colorado, with snow or without. I like seeing the forests, the peaks, the ski resorts, and even trying to catch a glimpse of the condo I own in Keystone. I usually can pick out Dillon Lake, Keystone mountain, and the structures I often visit if I get a window on the right side of the plane. If not, I enjoy the view of the Fairplay valley and wide-open spaces.

    The deserts of Utah and Nevada, broken up with a few communities and the winding Colorado river as it makes its way towards California. The mountains coming and going, and the massive solar project that has always intrigued me.

    Coming over the mountains into LA, which is so massive. It feels like we fly over the city for an hour as we leave the sparsely populated East side of California and move into the dense LA residential and industrial areas. I wouldn’t want to live there, but it’s an amazing view that I enjoy watching go by.

    As we get close to SoFi Stadium, I know the journey is almost over. This is a project I’ve watched grow from a few dirt spaces to a completed structure surrounded by a beautiful park, I keep reminding myself to take a trip and see a game there someday. I’ve seen it on TV and from the air many times and hope to get there in person one day.

    I love when we take off or land at LAX from the ocean side, though the latter seems to be a rarity for me. Either way, it’s an experience I enjoy.

    I often sit in aisle seats and work on many journeys. I’ve gone to London dozens of times, but it’s rare to have much to see, so I rarely even try to look. However, the journey to LA is one where I keep the window shade up and enjoy the view regularly.

    Travel is tedious, with moments of excitement and pleasure. I am learning to be better about looking for and appreciating the experiences, good or bad, as I move through life.

    I added a few pictures to my blog for you to enjoy.

    Steve Jones

     

    Listen to the podcast at Libsyn, Stitcher, Spotify, or iTunes.

  • Daily Coping 6 May 2022

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

    Today’s tip is to do something kind for someone you really care about.

    My daughter is away at university, actually quite far away. We live in Colorado, and she is in New York. I miss her, and she’s had a hard year at school during a few stretches.

    This spring, I’ve needed to send her a few things she requested from home. Each time, about every 6 weeks or so, I’ve gone to town to mail a package through the postal system. When I do, I usually stop by a store and find a few treats, usually chocolate. I add those to the package as a little surprise. I’ve also sent some treats or toys for her kitten.

    It’s a small thing, but I really care about her and it’s a small kindness to get a surprise in the mail. I know I loved when my Mom did that for me.

  • DEN to LAX Views

    I wrote about this trip for an editorial, and here are a few views from the airplane. I love the flight from Denver to LA, though I wish I were on the North side of the plane. There are better views that way. Unfortunately, I was South both ways, though since I got upgraded, I can’t complain.

    I left Colorado, and here are the mountains with a little snow.

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    The view coming into LA, the land giving way to man made structures.

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    A good view of just how built up LA can be.

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    Heading home, taking off over the ocean

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    Coming around from the ocean, now heading East as we cross back over land in LA.

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