The Full Stack Journey

Scott Lowe, VCDX 39 vExpert, Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Geek

http://blog.scottlowe.org / Twitter: @scott_lowe Colossians 3:17

Why continuous learning is the only way forward for IT professionals

Before we get started

• Get involved! Feel free to ask questions or share your viewpoint. (This is not your typical keynote.)

• Use your mobile device(s) all you like, but please silence them. • If you’re a social media user, feel free to post updates. For Twitter, use the

handle @DFWVMUG or the hashtag #DFWVMUG. • You’re more than welcome to take pictures or videos and post them online! • A PDF copy of this presentation will be available online after the event.

Who is this guy, anyway?

• Husband, father, geek, Jeep lover • Blogger (10+ years at http://blog.scottlowe.org) • Author (7 books so far, 1 in the works) • Podcaster (The Full Stack Journey Podcast) • Speaker (DevOps Networking Forum, Interop, OpenStack Summit, VMworld) • Avid VMUG supporter (Speaker at events worldwide, mentor for new

speakers) • Employee at VMware, Inc., on the NSX team

So...what’s up with this “full stack” thing? What are we talking about here?

https://flic.kr/p/ofCtP1

A full stackof tires?

https://flic.kr/p/7ph1Su

A full stackof pancakes?

https://flic.kr/p/8oHxGM

A full stackof discs?

https://flic.kr/p/56UqaR

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

What is the modern data center stack?

OK, then…what’s a full stack engineer?

My definition of a full stack engineer:“…someone who’s capable of working across multiple silos and moving among multiple layers of the modern data center stack.”

(from the introduction to the Full Stack Journey Podcast)

Across silos and among layers

What’s driving this? Why is this important?

Multiple forces are at play here

Changing nature of IT skill sets

—IT𝞹“Dash” shaped “I” shaped “T” shaped “Pi” (𝞹) shaped

Across silos and among layers

Is the full stack engineer a myth, then? An unattainable unicorn?

http://daemon.co.za/2014/04/what-does-full-stack-mean/

“The journey not the arrival matters.” - T.S. Eliot

There’s value in the journey

• Perfection is unattainable, but that doesn’t stop us from pursuing it • The journey to being a full-stack engineer brings benefits on its own

• It helps create habits for continuous learning • It helps foster “big picture thinking” • It helps establish natural curiosity • It helps you understand the relationships that exist between all areas of

technology

The Full Stack Journey podcast• Launched in January 2016 • The goal is to provide real, practical,

actionable advice to help listeners on their “full stack journey”

• Available via iTunes • Website at http://fullstackjourney.com • I’ll be recording an episode here today

at 2:20pm in the Career Corner

Questions?

Thank you!

Scott Lowe, VCDX 39 vExpert, Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Geek

http://blog.scottlowe.org / Twitter: @scott_lowe Colossians 3:17

Please be sure to provide feedback to the VMUG leaders on this session.