Once upon a time, it seemed like you could know just about everything there was to know about Microsoft SQL Server from a features and technology perspective. Those days are long gone. In reality, for must technology today, that’s the case: products are too big to know it all.
I know a lot of folks recommend to maximize networking at tech events and conferences and in general I agree. However, being a very strong introvert, I am not a natural networker. I wear down and get tired with a lot of people and I know there are quite a few folks like me in technology. That’s not to say avoid networking, because Steve Jones has often talked about why you should and he’s dead on. But when your social batteries are low, its okay to focus on the tech, too.
One of the neat things about tech conferences is that’s when you’ll often get the announcements and demos of new features or new ways to do things. I try to incorporate some sessions that are outside of my wheelhouse on purpose. Those session expand my view. And I try to ensure I have some familiar ones because I want to do those things better. For instance, the aforementioned Steve has a session on being a technical blogger. I’ve been a technical blogger for a long time. But Steve is better at it and he consistently has content of value out there. I’d be a fool to think I won’t learn anything from that session. So it’s on my schedule.
Tech conferences aren’t just for networking and learning how to address a problem you’re having technically. They are also for expanding your view of what’s possible.