Jacksonville SQL Server Users Group

Featured Presentation

Building a SQL Server for Optimal Performance

Speaker: Gareth Swanepoel, DBA Consultant Pragmatic Works Consulting, Inc.

Summary: An "accidental DBA" is a SQL Server administrator who has been thrust into the task without having the complete experience or know how required to keep SQL running at peak performance. This is not their fault and is purely due to the fact that they have not been exposed to it before. If you are a DBA and find yourself wondering how hardware changes affect performance or have questions relating to the performance implications of partitioning or compression, then this session is for you. In this session, I will be exploring topics such as Memory configuration, CPU options, IO considerations, partitioning, compression and database file placement.

About Gareth: Gareth Swanepoel is a sysadmin-turned-SQL Server DBA. He has been working in the IT industry doing support and administration for over 20 years. He enjoys solving the complex problems that his clients encounter when deploying SQL Server in a data warehouse environment. He is an accomplished author and speaker. Current projects include contributing content for the SQL 2012 Extended Events book. He also currently serves as one of the PASS Regional Mentors for Africa & the Middle East.

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, Feb 20 2013

JSSUG Monthly Meeting - February 20, 2013

When

Where

Featured Presentation

Building a SQL Server for Optimal Performance

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