Even though way early in my career I had a SQL Server MVP as a mentor (by pure chance), it wasn’t until 2008-2009 that I sort of researched a bit more about the program, and what it really meant. I was beginning to understand how powerful networking in our community really is, and how attending and participating on SQL Saturdays and other events would make all the difference in my career.

I thought having that “badge” would be cool, but I really didn’t know how to get one.

I remember I asked K. Brian Kelley [twitter|blog], somebody who I consider a friend (even though I’ve never met him in person) how could I become a SQL Server MVP. He mentioned helping others through any vehicle (forums like MSDN’s, SQL Server Central, etc.) would help, but that I really needed to ask myself what it would mean to me to be an MVP. And I often wondered, really, what it all meant. Was it just an award given to somebody who would answer questions from others relentlessly? Would it be just some award given to members of this semi-secret inner circle?

Over time I became more and more involved with the community. I started speaking, and continued helping others, mostly through #SQLHelp on Twitter (funny how a hashtag changes your life!). I was seriously turned off by forums (still am) and didn’t care much about blogging very frequently. After all, other folks out there blog about just about every single topic on SQL Server, and I didn’t one to be just one more guy. Yet I blogged, but it was only when I thought my post could really make a difference to somebody facing a similar situation or working with an under-documented feature.

The fact that I tweeted incessantly helped get my name out there, and I kept being accepted to speak at SQL Saturdays and even the PASS Summit. Then I got my MCM certification, which really gave my name some exposure out there.

I was really becoming influential.

I eventually delivered pre-conferences at premier events like SQLBits, spoke at massive events like DevConnections and TechEd, and started toying with the idea of helping PASS even more. Then, with the help of Robert Davis [twitter|blog], and also from K. Brian Kelley himself, we launched the Security Virtual Chapter for PASS.

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