It’s not in the language I would write it in and it’s not necessarily safe for work, but it gets the point across.
One reason I do support Women in Technology, and other groups opposing discrimination. Apart from it’s poor behavior, it’s often just not even valid.
I have attended quite a few of the women in technology sessions across the last few years at various SQL Server events. I think the effort to promote technology careers to women and support them in the challenges they face is a worthwhile effort. I hope the groups continue and I look forward to more local chapters forming, like the Denver WIT group that is starting this year.
However not everyone agrees. I heard from someone not to long ago that thought these groups were divisive and might end up fragmenting the community. This person asked me if I thought WIT was a good idea, then should we also have a black men in technology group?
I do.
I was asked if I thought there should be a Hispanics in technology as well?
I do.
I do think that any minority group that feels they want to support others in their group should consider setting up an organization to help their members. Different groups of people face different challenges in being part of a minority. Finding support from others in similar situations can help you overcome the obstacles that are in your way. It can help you realize the possibilities and opportunities that exist. Lots of groups do this, why not technology? The WIT and other minority organizations I’ve seen aren’t advocating against white males or any other majority. They’re just trying to help their own members have better careers.
If we can encourage others to consider technology careers, become better professionals, and support people as they go through their lives, I think that’s something worth doing.
Steve Jones
Listen to the MP3 Audio ( 1.9MB) podcast or subscribe to the feed at iTunes and Mevio . feed
The Voice of the DBA podcast features music by Everyday Jones. No relation, but I stumbled on to them and really like the music. Support this great duo at www.everydayjones.com.
Have you ever been fired from a job? I hope most of you never have as it’s a somewhat traumatizing experience. I’ve been let go from one (and asked to leave another), and even though I didn’t like the job and wasn’t sorry to be gone, I didn’t like getting fired.
Awhile back I saw Brent Ozar ask the question on Twitter: “when do you fire a DBA?”. There were a number of answers, and he ended up writing a post that summarized some of the reasons as responses. You can read the post, and the various reasons. I think for most of them, I’d disagree if any incident were the first occurrence of the situation. I know people will make mistakes, and if I don’t forgive accidents, I’ll never have anyone trust me as a manager.
I also don’t think you let someone go for ignorance. They might never have had to deal with a situation. I don’t think you let them go if they don’t dig deep into systems and find problems. It’s always possible they haven’t gotten to the one item that causes a disaster.
To me there are two certain places where I’d let someone go. The first is willfully taking part in any illegal activity. I don’t think an officer of an organization can allow that to take place. The second is more subjective. I would have to let you go when you’ve repeatedly shown that you’re not becoming a better employee and making the same mistakes over and over again.
Failure to learn is not an option.
Steve Jones
Listen to the MP3 Audio ( 2.0MB) podcast or subscribe to the feed at iTunes and Mevio . 
The Voice of the DBA podcast features music by Everyday Jones. No relation, but I stumbled on to them and really like the music. Support this great duo at www.everydayjones.com.
This editorial was originally published on Nov 5, 2009. It is being re-run as Steve is on vacation.
I attended the Women in Technology luncheon for the first time at the PASS Summit on Wednesday. My plan was to put in a short appearance and then head to meet some of the Microsoft manageability team to give them feedback on SQL Server. There are times where you realize that something is happening that would be hard to recreate later. I ended up staying at the luncheon.
There seems to be a decline in engineering, science, and technology degrees and interest in the US in general. The Women in Technology group is concerned with finding ways to interest, excite, and grow the number of women in technology. The panel had a number of women active in technology, sharing their stories and trying to inspire others. It’s a message that I think bears repeating, and gives you the opportunity to break down the stereotypes that exist with women in technology.
I heard someone say that no young girl wants to be Dilbert. Young men seem to be able to handle that stereotype better than others, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s more socially acceptable for men to be geeks?
The power of role models is undeniable. We see that all the time with movie stars, athletes and more. However many of us are inspired by others closer to us. Authors and speakers we meet at the PASS Summit. Technologists that create and sell a company let us dream that we might do the same. Each of us that enjoys our job, and makes a good living, could inspire a young person to consider a career in this field. Just sharing your vision of what’s exciting to you might change their mind.
I thought the women in technology luncheon was a great event, and I look forward to it next year. I’d encourage the rest of you to give it a try and see if you can inspire a young girl, a minority, or a child you know to consider a career in technology.
Steve Jones
Voice of the DBA 