This question came up during a conversation I had with a client. He is a consultant who wanted to become an expert in SQL Server Always On Availability Groups. He is constantly being assigned to projects that involve working with the technology. Yet he does not have the skills to confidently troubleshoot a problem nor to provide the right advice.

Becoming a subject matter expert is very important to your career whether you’re a consultant, sysadmin, or a DBA. It demonstrates that you are very good at what you do. And that can easily command respect from your peers and colleagues. Wouldn’t it feel great to know that your recommendations carry weight?

Subject matter expertise also opens up doors of opportunities. There’s a reason the “Senior” title exists. You need skills mastery whether you’re applying for your next job or wanting to be promoted.

The problem with working in tech is that the introduction of new technologies makes it very difficult to catch up. What you know today will be completely obsolete in a year or two. And all the available information is making it all the more confusing to learn the new tech.

The good news is that you can become a subject matter expert without having to deal with the overwhelming amount of information you need to learn about a specific technology.

In this episode of the Practical SQL Server HA/DR Show, I talk about the secret to becoming a technical subject matter expert.

I’ll be doing this on a weekly basis so make sure you keep an eye out for announcements on my social media profiles (LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube)