by Don’t miss out on the opportunity, be sure to apply before January 9th, 2021. The vExpert awards will be announced on February 19th, be a part of the announcement!
What is the vExpert Program?
The vExpert Program is simply about giving back to the community beyond your day job. It isn’t a certification, and it isn’t focused on certifications, and neither does it relate to how much you know about VMware technology.
Simply put, the vExpert program is a community of like-minded technologists who are blogging, advocating VMware publicly or within their respective companies, doing speaking sessions, book writing, code/script sharing or anything directly related to giving back to the community on topics around VMware.
If you are not sure if you would qualify, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (contact me or message me on Twitter), or feel free to reach out to a vExpert PRO. The PROs vote on applications and are the best resource to help you with the process.
Why become a vExpert?
Simply put, this is one of, if not THE best tech communities on the planet. Eager to share knowledge, help with any issues, insider information direct from VMware business unit’s, and is packed full of knowledge.
The vExpert program has not only helped me get out of a few technical scrapes in the past, but it’s also enabled me to build several solid friendships and colleagues, as well as having strengthened and propelled my career beyond anything I could have imagined.
The vExpert program is more than just a community. It’s a family.
Benefits of being a vExpert
For those new to the program, it’s worth discussing the benefits for receiving the award.
- Networking with 2,000+ vExperts
- Knowledge Expansion on VMware & Partner Technology
- Opportunity to apply for vExpert BU Lead Subprograms (see below)
- Possible Job Opportunities
- Direct Access to VMware Business Units via Subprograms
- Blog Traffic Boost through Advocacy, @vExpert, @VMware, VMware Launch & Announcement Campaigns
- 1 Year VMware Licenses for Home Labs for almost all Products & Some Partner Products
- Private VMware & VMware Partner Sessions
- Gifts from VMware and VMware Partners
- vExpert Celebration Parties at both VMworld US and VMworld Europe with VMware CEO, Pat Gelsinger
- VMware Advocacy Platform Invite (share your content to thousands of vExperts & VMware employees who amplify your content via their social channels)
- Private Slack Channels for vExpert and the BU Lead Subprograms
vExpert BU Lead Subprograms
The vExpert Subprograms are all driven and lead by VMware business units. For 2021 there will be 10 subprograms focused on products and solutions. The BU driven programs consist of a dedicated VMware resource from the Business Unit to engage and lead the program. The programs (varies from BU to BU) offer NDA sessions, BU road maps, beta opportunities, product feedback, zoom meetings with the BU and more. You can see the current programs and who’s in them by going to the vExpert Directory and selecting the subprogram. All of the programs require approval via an application process similar to the vExpert application. The applications for the subprograms will open February 19th, 2021 and are only open to vExperts who received the 2021 vExpert award.
Which Path Should you Apply for?
This can sometimes be a tricky one; however, despite working for a VMware Partner, I still apply via the Evangelist path as it more closely represents how I produce content and interact with the vExpert community.
If you have any queries around these, please reach out.
Evangelist Path
The Evangelist Path includes book authors, bloggers, tool builders, public speakers, VMTN contributors, and other IT professionals who share their knowledge and passion with others with the leverage of a personal public platform to reach many people. A VMware employee reference is recommended if your activities weren’t all in public.
Customer Path
The Customer Path is for leaders who evangelise VMware. We are looking for passionate customers who do the work to evangelise within their organization or worked with VMware to build success stories, act as customer references, given public interviews, spoken at conferences, or were VMUG leaders. The actives must not be related to your position within the company, i.e. not being paid for evangelising VMware. A VMware employee reference is recommended if your activities weren’t all in public.
Partner Path
The VPN Path is for employees of our partner companies who lead with passion and by example, who are committed to continuous learning through accreditation’s and certifications and to making their technical knowledge and expertise available to many. This can take shape of event participation, video, IP generation, as well as public speaking engagements.
VMUG & VCDX
If you are an active VMUG Leader or hold the title of VCDX you will qualify for the vExpert award. VMUG leaders are verified through the VCDX directory. VMUG leader titles and activities are also verified and you must be an active leader in your chapter. Inactive VMUG leaders will not qualify for the award. To apply via VMUG or VCDX, please use the evangelist path and state you are a VCDX or VMUG leader and which chapter. All VCDX applicants will be verified via vcdx.vmware.com.
How to Apply
Head over to vexpert.vmware.com to apply. The application pathways, as well as the application questions, will guide you through the process. It would help if you referenced every piece of activity that you feel evidences your activity throughout the past year. Like any application process, the more time and preparation you dedicate to this, the better your chances are in succeeding.
Tip – Remember, just because you’ve submitted your application, doesn’t mean you can’t edit it later! You can edit your submitted application at any time before January 9th, 2021, so if you forget to add something, jump back in and edit.
Important Dates
With the program opening just yesterday, all applications must in and submitted before January 9th, 2021. The vExpert awards will be announced on February 19th, 2021.
What have you got to lose, and what have you to gain? If in doubt, apply! If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (contact me or message me on Twitter), or find a vExpertPRO in your area via the vExpertPRO Directory.
Leave a Reply