Stepping into a room full of industry peers can be intimidating, but for Masih Hekmat, a leader with the BC VMUG, attending VMUG Connect proved that there is a seat at the table for everyone, regardless of where they are in their career journey.
What stood out most to Masih wasn't just the sheer volume of technical information, but the sheer variety of perspectives in the room. Connecting with professionals across different organizations opened up new ways of thinking about the evolution of the private cloud, particularly when it came to the practical, real-world impact of upcoming updates.
"I liked the way that we could connect with professional people that worked with different people in different companies," Masih reflected. "It was spectacular to see the new content with VCF. It was interesting to see the new point of view and how it will change the private cloud."
The deepest insights came from uncovering unexpected advantages in private cloud upgrades and hearing directly from practitioner panels during the closing sessions. For Masih, bringing those takeaways back home isn't just about theory; it's about helping his local community align with VCF 9.1 and implement it effectively in real-world environments.
When asked what message he would pass along to IT professionals who might be hesitant about attending a Connect event, Masih’s advice is simple: take the leap.
"I would welcome anyone to join, even if they feel hesitant or not on a high enough level yet. Take that chance. Learn from the different perspectives, different types of people in their roles, and you can get the value that they can put in their backpack. There are levels of content for everyone, no matter where their confidence is. They just need to explore more and learn."
Growing together is what VMUG is all about. From mastering new tech to finding a network that supports your journey, there is always value here for every skill level, just as Masih’s experience demonstrates.
Come celebrate the final stop of the series with us at VMUG Connect Orlando, where you can access VCF insights, advance your certifications, and spend time with peers.
Our thanks to Masih for sharing his perspective and for leading the VMUG community in British Columbia.