The Journey to becoming a Distinguished Technologist

Just over a month ago, I posted on LinkedIn about being accepted into the Microsoft MVP program for the Azure Infrastructure as Code discipline. In that post, I mentioned that I had a few personal goals this year (well there were two main ones) and now I can talk about the 2nd one.?

At our annual Insight Mastery technical conference in Phoenix AZ, I was accepted into the Distinguished Technologists program! The program includes 8 new and 5 existing members to form the global cohort encompassing teammates from the Insight APAC, EMEA and NA regions.

More details on the announcement can be found here

So What is a Distinguished Technologist?

You may have heard of Distinguished Engineers (DE), these roles exist at Google, Microsoft and other large IT vendors. Distinguished Technologists (DT) and DE both have similar traits and characteristics, including;

• Masters of Technical Skills: They are seen as experts in their fields, whether it’s AI, cloud computing, data analytics, or modern applications. They stay ahead of the curve by constantly updating their knowledge and skills.
• Leadership and Mentorship: They are not only just technical experts; they are leaders who mentor and inspire their peers. They play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of technologists, sharing their insights and experiences.
• Innovation and Problem-Solving: They are at the forefront of innovation. They tackle complex challenges and develop cutting-edge solutions that drive business success and technological advancement.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: They understand the importance of collaboration and work closely with diverse teams to achieve common goals. Their ability to foster a culture of teamwork and inclusion is key to their success.

At Insight, a Distinguished Technologist is seen as an industry-recognized IT professional who’s earned the highest levels of thought leadership, mentorship and industry influence. As well-respected industry veterans, their perspectives on key trends and evolving technologies give business leaders new ways to approach digital transformation.?

You can read more about the program, including the profiles of all 13 Distinguished Technologists here

Becoming a Distinguished Technologist is more than just a funky title; it’s a journey of continuous growth, leadership, and innovation. It requires a deep commitment to mastering technical skills, mentoring others, and driving transformative projects. At Insight, the Distinguished Technologists program celebrates all of these things and I'm honoured to be accepted into the program and looking forward to working with the other talented individuals in the future.