T-SQL Tuesday #97: Setting Learning Goals for 2018

This months T-SQL Tuesday is hosted by Malathi Mahadevan (@sqlmal | b).
Besides my strict learning goals I’ll also provide my retrospective for 2017.

Data Science Program

I recently started the Microsoft Professional Program for Data Science, of which I completed the first 3 courses already. I want to complete course 4 before the end of the year. That leaves me with 5 courses and the capstone project. Finishing this program in the Fall of 2018 seems doable, so I’ll put that in my calendar!

MCSE

Ow, already 3 years back I passed my final exam for my MCSA. Until recently the progress to my next goal (MCSE) kind of stopped. I already had one attempt at 70-464 this year, but I failed… I guess I underestimated that one a bit, so that’s one reason I’m not going to take my next exam too early. I just didn’t have too much time to work on it since my recent switch out of consultancy and to Van Lanschot Bankiers. Another reason is the fact I also started the Data Science Program, and the fact that this year is almost finished. I’d rather wait a few months and have my MCSE for 2018 already.

Podcasts

The fact that I made the switch to Van Lanschot also meant less commuting, which is a good thing of course, but not for my time listening to podcasts. I’m having trouble keeping up with all the feeds I’m in at the moment so I’ll have to either cut the feeds or find some other time (during running maybe?) to listen to the podcasts.

Books

As you can see on My Reading Journey page I made some steady progress on my reading goal. Although there have been days and weeks I didn’t read, since I started tracking my progress again in my spreadsheet I see I keep advancing more steadily. I still have some days I don’t read at all, but at least now this is visible and I can hold myself accountable for that. The books I read this year have been a good mix between technical, personal skills and process oriented topics. I’m going to switch my technical topics this year a little bit to more closely match my work at Van Lanschot. In the beginning of next year I’ll write a blog post about my first months here.

Running

As for my personal goals: I completed 2 half marathons this year in Venlo and Eindhoven, with a PR of 1:38:59 in Eindhoven this October! Now on to a PR on the 10 km, 40 minutes would be a great goal, as my PR is now 44:27.

@NickyvV

2014 in Retrospective and Planning for 2015

Well, that's it for 2014 then, it's been a year already. And we're already on our way in 2015. I've encountered several ups and downs last year, with Niels being the best of course!

I'm actually not that good in setting or reaching my goals, so I thought of writing them down, so I (or anyone who reads this) can at least hold me to it afterwards. :-)

Blog

I wanted to do more blogging last year. Well.. that turned out differently :) I just couldn't find the time or inspiration. I did have some periods in which I was somewhat active, but I need to get a more regular schedule. So, starting realistic and achievable, my goal is to get at least 1 post per month out in 2015 and also get my first #tsql2sday post.
And looking further on the horizon, I do some have speaking intentions, I just don't know when or what to talk about yet. I would like to explore this in 2015 a bit further.

Certification
It's been a while ago that I started my learning path to MCSE BI. Due to private matters my time dedicated to learning hasn't been that high in 2013 and the first months of 2014. Starting in March I dedicated some more time and finished 70-461 in April. In December I also passed 462 and 463 and so I finally got my MCSA! My goal is to get my MCSE in 2015, preferably before September.

SQLSaturday Holland

I also attended my first SQLSaturday event in Utrecht last October, meeting a lot of nice new #sqlfamily: Catherine, Clint, Grant, Jeffrey, Julie, Pieter and also renewing the friendship with old ones: Jen and Joost. It was a great event and I had lots of good sessions to attend. I especially want to follow up on Continuous Integration by Grant Fritchey (b|t). He also wrote a good article on SQLMag on this same topic.

Running

I'm also a fan of running and am finally training more in the last months (or at least trying to..). And now, I have set my mind on running a marathon with my friend Joost. Yes, the whole nine (or actually 46145) yards. The location still has to be determined. I already completed several half marathons, with the fastest last October in 1h45m.

Enjoy the year 2015 y'all!
Nicky