Growing up as a kid in Yonkers, New York, I got to be part of many groups. We had a church youth, friends from the block and school. There were many of us, different ages, race, upbringing, history but with one common goal, have fun. The group would grow because we would continuously invite new friends. This was my introduction to ‘community’ at a young age. This background certainly contributed to the extrovert side of me, feeding energy from others as momentum.
I would not trade my time growing up with these friends for nothing, still talk to them, one passed away. If it was not people I grew up with, I managed to build fruitful friendships with co-workers. These are people where we spread positivism and help make each other better.
Being curious by nature helped me break into new things. I started involving myself with a community group in 2014. I came across a Help Desk software called Spiceworks. I was lucky to be more involved with supporting VMware infrastructure during my time at Sutter Health. We had a Technical Account Manager (TAM) and he would speak about VMware User Groups (VMUG) meetings and VMworld. I naturally gravitated and inserted myself in these events. I wanted to become a product of these environments. I got to meet the likes of other user group members, VMware employees and bloggers.
December 2019, hosted my first meeting for the Sacramento VMUG chapter as a leader.
Remember the shutdown of 2020? That did not stop me, I went on to host several virtual VMUG events. I met so many new people, for the first time felt like I was building something. A VMware employee nudged me to apply for the vExpert program, went something like this..
Someone sees something in you that you do not always see for yourself. Some self-doubt, the famous “impostor syndrome”. It felt re-assuring as a VMUG leader, it gives you a really good shot. So, I did. February 2021 I was accepted after applying.
Things were beginning to launch, work viewed me as a VMware SME, VCP certified, vExpert, met more people from VMUG. In March 2021 I accepted a position at VMware (now Broadcom) and it’s been great ride since then. The vExpert applications continued annually for me, my content increased significantly with contributions, blogging and YouTube videos. This was not done alone as folks from the vExpert community helped me navigate the world and cheer you on.
Overcame self-doubt, built confidence and get over the fear of putting yourself out there.
Don’t believe me? Here are some numbers
Are you ready to apply? You would not be alone as you can reach out to any member to discuss.
