The T-SQL Tuesday topic this month comes James Serra. What career risks have you taken?
I started my career as a preacher and ended it as a director in data consulting with a Microsoft MVP award. I can think of two major career risks or decisions I made that shaped my career trajectory.
Going into consulting
The first big risk I took was going into consulting. I had just learned how to create a database and write an application using Microsoft Access. I developed a warehouse management solution to replace manual, handwritten product location management. The tables were normalized, the front end was extended with Visual Basic, and we used barcodes and handheld scanners.
We didn’t work for corporate IT at the time. My partner, Steve Heyer, and I worked in the shipping department. The IT manager wanted us to move to IT, but I didn’t want to leave my manager. So, I reached out to a couple of recruiters about a job. At the same time, a recruiter from Magenic contacted me.
After an interesting interview, I was hired as a VB developer. It was here I moved into SQL Server and SSAS development. Little did I know that this decision would launch my career in data the way it did. This leap was huge for me because I really knew nothing about the career I had chosen for myself. At the height of the dotcom bubble no less.
Stepping out of consulting
At this point, I had worked at Magenic over five years. We just had our fourth child. I was on the road traveling to a client every other week and was missing a lot of time at home. I changed clients and ended up working four miles from my house. I loved it.
As I looked at the next step for my career, I knew it would require more time on the road. I approached my client about working for them. It was a huge risk for them and me. This was a contract breach for both of us. Furthermore, I assumed my career would stagnate because I was moving out of consulting.
Magenic was gracious and understanding. They worked out an agreement with my client for additional services and I made the move. Four and a half years later, I would return to Magenic.
What was the impact of this risky move? By working close to home, I established good family habits and got involved in the life of my kids which helped create healthy boundaries at work. This blog and the Data on Wheels brand was created. My consulting skills improved because I had to live with and maintain what I had built. My skills did not stagnate. I helped bring one of the first SaaS solutions to the market and pushed SSAS to its limit in the process.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely!
Without taking these risks, I wouldn’t have ended my career the way I did. I also wouldn’t have set professional boundaries to safeguard family time. I am happy I took these risks.
While I lay here today with ALS, I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful for the good disability insurance. I hope you can look at your next career decision with a holistic view.
Guess who’s next…
Stay tuned here. I am honored and excited to host the next T-SQL Tuesday. Look for the invitation next month!
