In this conversation, Elliott Fields discusses his journey starting out in IT, building a career, and the importance of staying relevant in the field.Elliott Fields discusses his transition from working with Exchange to Azure. He explains how he used Azure to build lab environments and learn about networking, security, and other related topics. Elliott emphasizes the importance of learning the cloud counterparts of on-premises products and the benefits of using Azure and AWS for lab work. He also shares his philosophy of practicing and gaining confidence in IT. Additionally, Elliott mentions the inspiration he derives from CT Fletcher and discusses the evolution of Exchange and the need to embrace AI and analytics in the future. He also touches on work-life balance and the representation and diversity initiatives at Microsoft. The conversation highlights the significance of mentorship and the various employee resource groups that promote diversity and inclusion within the company.

Takeaways

• Starting out in IT can be challenging, but with determination and a willingness to learn, one can succeed.
• Continual learning and staying up-to-date with technology are essential for maintaining a successful career in IT.
• Work-life balance is a personal responsibility, and it may require trade-offs at times.
• Representation and diversity in the workplace are crucial for fostering creativity and bringing different perspectives to the table.
• Mentorship and employee resource groups play a vital role in supporting and empowering underrepresented groups in the IT industry.

Extras:
GitHub Link