When I come into work, I double-check all my SQL databases and jobs, fix any failures, then catch up on emails and respond to my customers. After all this, I take a few minutes to catch up on my SQLServerCentral notifications and newsletters, and any other interesting professional newsletters I have coming to my inbox. I always learn something new from these newsletters, and sometimes I learn something surprising.
This morning, I opened up my Database Weekly and found an article from Brent Ozar titled "No, the DBA role still isn't going away." Hmm, says I. Because apparently I didn't get the news that the role was going away. So I open it on a whim.
Brent is ranting (and properly so) about how he heard yet another comment that "DBAs are dinosaurs." He goes on to explain why this attitude is wrong (I agree with him), but then he lays a little gem right in the middle of his blog that I think is worth noting. Sit up and take noticed, boys and girls (but especially the girls), because this is IMPORTANT.
'When you need to pick your training plain, go to your manager and ask them, "What's the biggest problem you're facing right now, the problem that you'd give me a raise if I could solve?"'
Suddenly I see a path for women in technology to open the conversation about raises. Suddenly I see a way for women to insert themselves in the technology field and to make a difference.
Ask the boss about the biggest problem. Document the conversation. Then solve the problem and bring the boss our solution.
How many times has the Old Boys' Network actually done this? From my experience, most men just see the problems they want to solve and go for those issues, without actually starting the conversation about the company's and the boss's needs.
So, ladies. What are we waiting for?
EDIT: A further addendum after opening up the discussion on SSC. Do you assume you know what your company's issues are? Do you have to be told? Or do you pro-actively ask? I'm geniunely curious.
One Response
My best job, prior to my current one, was when I was at the police department and SQL 4.21a had just come out. We got sent to training, and it was actually somewhat useful. Also got to attend TechEd twice. My last job I got to go to PASS in ’08 which was excellent, and once to Phoenix and CA for ESRI training, which was a waste of time. Current boss? Too soon to tell. There’s a SQL Saturday in Phoenix in a week or two that I might ask for.
I went in to work Saturday to make up some hours and saw Ozar’s post. I should add that question to my ‘ask at interviews’ list, but I agree: excellent way to make a person more valuable and possibly leverage better wages.
What I really hate is that I’ve had good and terrible male bosses, I’ve had fantastic female co-workers in the IT trenches, but I’ve yet to have a good female supervisor in IT or in any job. Their offenses ranging from being autocratic, dictatorial, or criminal. Of course, some of my male bosses have also had those characteristics.
I guess it boils down to ‘People (regardless of gender) Frequently Suck.’