This past week I attended my first TechEd. TechEd opened my eyes to many thing, many of which I will note here. For those who don't know, TechEd is a conference hosted by Microsoft for IT Professionals and Developers. Mostly centered around Microsoft products and solutions, IT guys from all over the nation attend this event.
This was not only my first TechEd but my first major IT conference in general. Because my passion mostly lies within Microsoft technologies, I've waiting to attend this conference ever since I heard about it years ago. And it wasn't a disappointment.
The first day consisted of attending the Keynote session. Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, with the assistance of some other IT professionals delivered the presentation. This is typically where Microsoft announces new products, updates, or revisions of current technologies as well as success stories for major corporations. At this keynote, Microsoft unveiled a few things:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- System Center 2012 R2 (WOOT!)
- SQL Server 2014
- Updates to Windows Intune, Azure, and Visual Studio
This is was special for me, since this was my first opportunity to be able to experience a new product announcement first hand, instead of through a computer screen. I was excited and very intrigued, hanging onto every word that was spoken and idea that was expressed. It was a slight moment of surrealism, as I realized I was accompanied by brilliant minds, but more importantly, passionate geeks. I don't get that opportunity enough. After the keynote was finished, we were quickly dismissed to one of seven available foundational sessions left to our discretion.
As I left, I didn't realize this keynote would set the stage for the rest of my week, and the conference. You see, being my first TechEd I was under the impression there were over 400 sessions available to attendees, where we could dive deep into Microsoft technologies and receive training on, essentially, how to do our jobs better. I was looking for foundational overviews, how to use certain and products, and use cases for when we would harness and utilize the power that these products contain. I was not wrong, but I was not right, either.
The first two days I noticed my expectations of the conference not being met, but nonetheless my appetite for learning and engagement with peers, remaining full. I was beginning to understand the way the conference works, however, with slight disappointment. As I continued to ponder on this, I came to the realization that the disappointment was not in the conference, but in myself. Though there were some foundational and overview sessions, most almost felt like commercials or advertisements for the new products Microsoft has recently released or about to release. And they were, but not quite like it sounds. They were more in depth, and targeted to the IT Pros who had already adopted previous releases of Microsoft technologies, and who had years upon years of experience in the IT field. The new features and new ways of doing their jobs mattered to them, since they've actually been working with the products for a fair amount of time. The constant applause was a big indicator. Granted, not ALL sessions were power sessions, some were great foundational sessions. The leads me into the basic idea of what the purpose of TechEd serves. I didn't have the words to describe it up until the day 3, where I believe (could be wrong - didn't go back and listen) it was at Mark Minasi's session Pieces of 8: Prospecting for Windows 8 Gold, where I heard it phrased. Ironically, this is one of the very friendly sessions that doubles as both in depth, but also foundational. The paraphrased idea was this: TechEd was designed and centered around teaching the science of the technology, not the art.
This immediately got me thinking. What makes a successful IT Professional is their ability to be creative, and form viable solutions with various products and technologies, not just knowing the product your are working with. What matters is how you use it. It's a simple and common idea, but what I didn't realize was this is not what TechEd is for. It's the step behind. In order to make art, you have to have the paint. These sessions are the paint. It's up to you do the work. If you want someone to teach you how to paint a masterpiece, you hire a master painter (or in this case a consultant). Most masterpieces also contain more than one color. The blending of colors, can make or break the masterpiece. (except abstract art haha) In the same sense, technology solutions contain more than one product or technology. It's the blending of those products and technologies, and the way they interact, that result in a solution.
TechEd offers many reasons to attend, other than just sessions, that I haven't mentioned yet, such as opportunities to meet members of the IT community and network, interact with Microsoft product development teams and MVPs, visit vendor booths for additional products that extend upon Microsoft technologies, certification testing, labs (both hands on and instructor led), and much more.
All in all, even though it was not quite what I anticipated, it was definitely one of the greatest IT events I've ever had the privilege of attending, and a highlight of my career. Being able to connect with the product groups and MVP's was incredible. I actually solved three of my own issues related to SCCM with their help. I have high hopes that I may get to return again sometime in the near future. TechEd made me better in many ways, not just in Microsoft technology education. I was cultured in a way that makes me a better IT Pro, employee, co-worker, and leader. Though I'm sure others will disagree with this. I'd be curious to see if past attendees feel the same or different than I do, as this was just my first TechEd. Keep in mind, I'm also fairly new as an IT Professional...and I use that term loosely. Just wanted to share are my thoughts running through my head since the end of last week.
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