Jacksonville SQL Server Users Group

Featured Presentation

Building Your Own Virtual Lab

Speaker: Jorge Segarra, BI Consultant Pragmatic Works

Summary: Have you ever looked at all the fancy new stuff SQL Server had to offer and thought “Man, I wish I could use it but at work the latest we’re running is 2005, I’ll NEVER get a chance to do that stuff”. Did you know you can build your own personal lab environment on your laptop and install and explore all the latest and greatest offerings from Microsoft? In this session, Jorge will walk you through the basics of virtualization. We’ll walk through creating and configuring a new virtual machine with SQL Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012. This session will be done in Windows 8 using client Hyper-V but the general concepts shown apply to almost any desktop virtualization product.

About Jorge: Jorge Segarra is a DBA-turned-BI consultant for Pragmatic Works Consulting and a SQL Server MVP. In addition to being a member of the Jacksonville SQL Server User Group, he is a Regional Mentor for PASS. Jorge co-authored the Apress book "SQL 2008 Pro Policy-Based Management" as well as the upcoming title "SQL Server 2012 Bible" and was a Red Gate Software Exceptional DBA of the Year 2010 finalist. He also founded SQL University, a community project aimed at helping people learn SQL Server from the ground up, which you can find at http://sqluniversity.org.

What is Pragmatic Works Foundation?

The Pragmatic Works Foundation is a non-profit organization created to find passionate people who are interested in joining the technology field but cannot make the financial investments needed for training and hardware. The goal is to provide candidates the opportunity to learn new technologies from industry experts. In addition to offering free training, we work with our onsite recruiter to help place candidates who complete training with a new career in technology. We all respect and honor those who have served for our country, that’s why we are devoted to helping veterans that are interested in transitioning to a new IT career.

What does it involve?

After submitting a personal profile for consideration, qualified candidates will be selected to attend an orientation. The purpose of the orientation is to inform selected candidates of the different technical career options available and what to expect from each. This also gives candidates the opportunity to ask questions so they can determine if our program is truly for them. IT jobs are not for everyone, so the orientation is a great way to determine whether or not this is the right career path for you.

Following the orientation, approximately 6 candidates will be invited back for a week (with an optional second week) of training.

What makes someone a qualified candidate?

A well thought out personal profile
A passion for technology
A strong work ethic
Ability to learn and retain new information quickly
Willingness to spend time studying outside of training hours

In addition to these qualifying attributes, potential candidates transitioning from any of the United States Armed Forces will receive special consideration. Please do not apply if you have been convicted of a felony.

What is required of me?

The most important thing you can bring to Foundation is your excitement and desire to learn. It is by no means an easy task to learn a new technology, but with a strong work ethic both in the classroom and at home, your likelihood of success in our program will be high. If you are transitioning from a job you currently hold you will be required to have one week (with a second optional week) off for training.

How can I be considered?

If you would like to be considered by our review panel to join our next group of candidates please fill out a personal profile and return it to foundation@pragmaticworks.com. Those who interview will have to complete a technical test (research based, no prior experience required). Please be aware that for each session, we typically have 3 applications per seat in the class, so make sure you really show your personality in your application.

When is the next class?

We have the classes quarterly or as demand increases, monthly.

Foundation FAQ

Upcoming Classes:

July 15th through the 19th, 2013
December 16th through the 20th, 2013

Please visit www.pragmaticworks.org

Next Meeting: Wed, Jan 16 2013

JSSUG Monthly Meeting - January 16, 2013

When

Where

Featured Presentation

Building Your Own Virtual Lab

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