It's great to have NIMTUG events and networking as a resource. I've learned a lot from the events, especially the Stored Procedures event. But, I also like the [human] networking afterwards. It's nice to hear what others are doing in different parts of the industry and the practice.
Now, a few words about the IT practice. We all know that working in IT can be a very diverse thing, much like working with cars. Working with cars can be in sales, detailing, basic painting, day-to-day maintenance, accessories, engine work, fuel production, mail carriers, and lorry drivers. That's to name a few. Someone good with basic painting will not always be good for engine work.
Same with IT, we have computer assembly, graphic image design, page layout, script writers, system programmers, database administrators, database designers, network administrators, clerk-typists, etc. Non-computer folk think they can ask anyone related to computers about any aspect of computers and get a quick, easy answer. Then again, how many of us in the computer realm ask someone at a petrol station about a noise in our car engine.
That’s where [human] networking and events come in at NIMTUG. It’s also where my temporary job at Action Cancer comes in. I’m learning how some of the other parts of the practice work [or don’t work].