Interview with Tiago Pereira / Performance Specialist
Tiago Pereira is one of our Performance Specialists and after a period of time working directly in our client, at Autoridade Tributária, as a SQL Server DBA, he was challenged to give online SQL Server training to our colleagues in Chile.
What was your first thought when you were told about this challenge?
At first, I was a little apprehensive, I must confess. First because I had never played the role of trainer and second because although I had some knowledge of SQL Server, I was not completely at ease to transmit deep knowledge of the subject. However, minutes later, I felt motivated by the challenge.
João Modesto also made it clear that my work would have a big impact on the project that was about to materialize in Chile and, therefore, my colleagues needed to acquire knowledge of SQL Server. I was given a role of great responsibility and that motivated me: “1 month to pass on knowledge of SQL and show them the basic tools to solve SQL Server problems? -> I kendo it!
How long was the training?
The training had a duration of one month with 1 hour classes from Monday to Friday.
How did you set up the classes?
I already had some knowledge of SQL Server however, to be able to give classes, it was necessary to deepen some concepts and prepare myself to be able to transmit all the necessary information to my colleagues. I planned each class, studied each subject previously and prepared a presentation for every session.
What were your greatest difficulties?
My greatest difficulty was to plan the lessons on time, I always wanted to have a margin of time to prepare for the most difficult topics, and it wasn’t always easy. And the language! Although I speak English well, I’m not as comfortable with it as I am with the Portuguese language and I wanted them to understand me well, so it was even more challenging.
Was there any form of evaluation?
Yes! They did three tests or checkpoints as I like to call them.
They did a theory checkpoint in the middle of the course, one at the end and then another practical one that included all the points that were given throughout this program. The goal of these tests or checkpoints was to check their knowledge and understand where they had doubts and could improve.
Was the challenge successfully overcome?
Yes :). In my opinion, the challenge was successfully overcome.
I covered the main themes of SQL Server, giving some attention to the analysis, monitoring and performance part. I always managed to prepare the classes for the next day and create the toolkit that was also requested at the beginning of the challenge. The final balance was very positive and based on the feedback, I think it went very well:).
What’s the Toolkit?
Paulo Cunha had the idea of creating a SQL Server toolkit for the academy and I was also responsible for creating the same toolkit.
The toolkit I created consisted of a set of videos with the presentation in .ppt and some scripts to help on the training. We already have a new colleague who joined recently and is already using this toolkit to learn SQL Server.
Looking back, how do you see this vote of confidence?
Looking back, I see that I was able to overcome the challenges and do what was proposed. I clearly left my comfort zone.
I learned a lot from this self-study and training and I feel that I helped other colleagues to acquire the same knowledge as me. I was very happy with the vote of confidence and very pleased to feel that I was able to comply with what was proposed to me and overcome myself.
