Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • The Challenge of Contracting

    For most of my career I’ve been a full time employee (W-2 in the US) or worked for myself with my own business. I’ve rarely been a consultant or contract (1099) employee, and what experience I had with those situations didn’t suit me. I don’t like the lack of security and certainly don’t like being responsible for the sales portion of finding work.

    Many people like contracting, and in fact, some make a career of it. There are companies that help you find work, and many large companies employ people for years as contract workers. There’s an interesting article on the impact of this at Ars Technica. It looks more at hotels and other service work, but this is common for technology workers as well, especially at many of the large, common names. If you look through the comments, you’ll find a few examples.

    I do think this is starting to be something that workers have to contend with, and it’s been obvious how hard this is over the last month. This might be especially true as companies can find ways to better specify work and hire people for their expertise at less than full time hours. This does save them a lot of long term costs and commitment, which is a change from what I expected when graduating from university.

    I’ve said this in a few talks, but ultimately I believe that each of us should be treating all jobs as temporary, ensuring that you take care of yourself and plan for your future. While a company might provide benefits and some retirement help, you should ensure you are paying attention and saving where you can. In the US, healthcare is a mess and expensive for contract workers. Outside the US things are better in some places, but you should still ensure you plan to take care of yourself if the company doesn’t.

    It has always been hard for workers throughout history. Many companies exist to make profits for their management and owners, often at the expense of workers’ treatment. Despite that, there are some amazing companies out there that do a better job of existing as a partnership with workers than others. My employer, Redgate Software, is one of those, and I’m lucky to work there. We’re hiring, good luck if you apply, and tell them I sent you.

    I hope all of you reading this can find a good employer that treats you well and gives you work you enjoy doing each day. If you don’t  have that, invest in yourself, work on your tech and soft skills, apply for jobs, be diligent in your questioning of the hiring team, and cross your fingers. There are great employers out there, and best of luck in finding one for yourself.

    Steve Jones

    Listen to the podcast at Libsyn, Stitcher or iTunes.

  • Daily Coping–25 Mar 2020

    I’ve started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

    Today’s item from the newsletter is “stay hydrated and eat well”.

    I usually exercise regularly and try to have a decent diet. Food certainly is a weakness for me, and I’m definitely a comfort eater, especially when I’m stressed. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to change.

    That being said, I’m trying to be more cognizant, since I can drink too much coffee and diet soda. I’ve started to make it a habit to fill multiple water bottles and leave them on my desk. Less counting, and this reminds me to drink this much at a minimum.

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    This is 80oz, which isn’t a gallon, and not really enough in Denver, which is a high desert. I’ve been good about emptying these three each day and then getting at least into most of one more, if not two.

    For food, we purchased a bunch of food from a few restaurants the first week to support them. Good in that we supported a Mexican place with a bunch of small burritos and a Chinese restaurant. Not so good as it wasn’t too healthy and I ate too many. This on top of my wife swinging by Krispy Kreme while buying horse food.

    I’m making an effort this week to cook more. I enjoy cooking, and it’s slowly wearing off that this isn’t an immediate crisis and instead I need to get back to normal for the long term, even if that means fewer grocery trips. I am working to do more vegetarian meals, as my wife and son try to avoid meat. My daughter is gluten sensitive, so this forces me to be more creative and careful with cooking. Falling back on my youth of easy casseroles and lots of ground meat is easy, so I’m searching out new recipes and experimenting with more vegetables.

    I’ve been taking daily vitamins for years, and I’m working to ensure I keep doing so to stay healthy. Ultimately I feel the more I exercise, the healthier I am. That’s been my experience, and it certainly helps my mental health. As a result, I’m trying to ensure I do something every day for at least 20 minutes, but hopefully 30, that raises my heart rate.

    Those are my goals for this new normal, as I try to cope with this world.

  • It’s Not April Fools – Redgate Streamed is Coming

    Next week is April 1, typically April Fools Day, where we have jokes, pranks, and false stories. I’ve done my share of them, but this isn’t one. With the postponement of SQL Bits,we are running a three day virtual event, Redgate Streamed. Each day is separate, and you can register for each below.

    The world of software development marches on, and many of us are being asked to do more with less all the time. We’re being asked to be more flexible and responsive in our database development. Redgate can help, and we have a number of sessions that will give you practical knowledge, and others that will make you think. I’m particularly looking forward to the panels, and I’m interested in what the others have to say.

    If you need a break from work, want some free training, and are missing the chance to attend live events, think about joining us for Redgate Streamed next week.

  • Daily Coping–24 Mar 2020

    I’ve started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

    Today’s item from me is to write down ten things I’m grateful for and why.

    1. My wife –she’s the most important thing in my life and I’m lucky to be able to spend time with her each day and share my life.
    2. My oldest son – He’s a very different person from me in many ways, but I can also see my influence on him in his actions and behaviors. He forces me to think and view the world differently.
    3. My middle son – A much smarter person than I am, more focused and driven, which reminds me to stay humble as I am in awe of his talents.
    4. My daughter – She has a creativity I lack and an inner strength that I admire.
    5. My former business partner and friend – other than my wife, he has had the most influence on my across the last 15 years and we still talk weekly.
    6. Redgate – A company that’s the kind of company I’d want to build. I appreciate our values and am honored to work there.
    7. My boss – She helps keep me focused and grounded, and I look forward to our weekly chats.
    8. Our dogs – They enrich my life, in a way that is different from my kids and I miss them when I’m traveling
    9. The ranch – I live in an amazing place and I appreciate how lucky I am on a daily basis
    10. The SQL community – I’ve helped in a small way, but I’m amazed how close this community has grown over the years.

    I’m blessed and lucky in many ways. My life is as close to perfect as I’d imagine it could be. My problems are really minor annoyances and I strive to remember that every day.