New post

_posts/2024-12-30-creating-an-it-systems-management-user-group-for-charlotte.md

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+---
+layout: post
+title: Creating an IT Systems Management User Group for Charlotte
+subtitle: I am looking for colleagues who share this vision for a new tech community in CLT that focuses on cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, on-premises and cloud infrastructure, PowerShell, and personal growth!
+date:   2024-12-30 09:00:00 -0500
+cover-img: /assets/img/banners/adrian-schwarz-XS7q-baZrmE-unsplash.jpg
+thumbnail-img: /assets/img/thumbnails/adrian-schwarz-XS7q-baZrmE-unsplash.jpg
+share-img: "https://samerde.github.io/assets/img/social/Return-Multiple-Objects-from-a-PowerShell-Function.png"
+tags: [User Group, Community]
+categories: [User Group, Community]
+author: Sam Erde
+gh-repo: samerde/powershell
+---
+
+As IT professionals, we thrive on learning new things, tackling challenges, and growing our skills. This helps make our work inherently satisfying, but what truly makes it meaningful is its impact on people--the colleagues, clients, and communities we serve. We can only find real meaning in our work when we understand why we do it, when we are able to contribute value to the community, and when we take care of ourselves. These ideas drive my passion to keep growing and to connect with others who feel the same. Plus, as you may have guessed, I love geeking out about PowerShell, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, and securing all the things!
+
+Since moving to the Charlotte area, I've been searching for an active user group focused on these interests. I haven't found one yet, so why not start one? Building a community takes a community, which is why I'm sharing this request:
+
+<center>
+</br>
+
+| Will you help me organize and get a Charlotte</br>Systems Management User Group running? :pray: |
+|---|
+
+</center>
+
+## Vision
+
+To get things started, here is the initial vision that I would love your feedback on:
+
+{: .box-note}
+The core purpose of the Charlotte Systems Management User Group is to foster growth and connection as an IT community. The primary technical focus areas are automation, cybersecurity, hybrid cloud, infrastructure, PowerShell, and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (but is not exclusively limited to these). Other core topics that are fundamental to the identity of this community are career development, soft skills, mental health and wellness, and family.
+
+## Who is this group for?
+
+- Support Specialists / Technicians
+- Systems / Network Administrators
+- Systems / Network / Infrastructure Engineers
+- Solutions Analysts
+- Solutions Architects
+- Leaders of any of the above
+- People aspiring to be any of the above
+
+There are no superstars here. We're all at different points on our journey, all experiencing a different phase of life. Everyone has something to contribute and things to learn.
+
+## What topics could we discuss?
+
+I have my favorites, but any of the following could be great topics to discuss!
+
+| hybrid infrastructure | identity & security      | operations & productivity | personal development |
+|-----------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|
+| Azure                 | Active Directory         | Microsoft 365             | career growth        |
+| virtualization        | Microsoft Entra          | PowerShell                | leading              |
+| datacenter management | Microsoft Defender XDR   | Ansible                   | speaking             |
+| storage               | PKI                      | automation                | writing              |
+| networking            | configuration management | GitOps / DevOps           | personal interests   |
+| Terraform             | Intune / GPO / SCCM      | GitHub / Azure DevOps     | networking           |
+
+## Next Steps
+
+Are you interested in joining or helping? I would love to continue the conversation! Please take two minutes to let me know [here](https://forms.office.com/r/zYrH0QFAbv).
+[![QRCode for Charlotte Systems Management User Group Interest Form](https://samerde.github.io/assets/img/content/QRCode-for-Charlotte-Systems-Management-User-Group-Interest-Form.png)](https://forms.office.com/r/zYrH0QFAbv)
+
+Cheers!
+
+Sam