If you’ve ever engaged with the content on the Microsoft Learn platform, it's highly likely that the material you utilized was written or co-authored by dedicated contributors. These contributors, often volunteers, generously offer their time and expertise to fill knowledge gaps within our content portfolio by suggesting valuable updates to our material, sharing their knowledge within the Microsoft community, and/or answering questions on the Q&A area of the Microsoft Learn platform!
In this interview series, we aim to acquaint ourselves with some of these valuable contributors. Through these conversations, we seek to understand their motivations for sharing their knowledge on Microsoft Learn and gain insights into their experiences.
Today, we’re pleased to introduce one of our top Microsoft Community Champions contributors, Carlos Solís Salazar. Carlos is a dedicated IT professional currently serving as the DOJO Cloud Leader within the Communidad DOJO sub-community and a Presales Engineer at Business IT. With a specialization in Microsoft Azure and a keen focus on information security, Carlos brings a wealth of experience in spearheading digital transformation initiatives and fortifying technological infrastructures across diverse organizations. Renowned for his innovative mindset and effective problem-solving, Carlos has made a significant impact on the cloud computing community as an Ambassador and Leader of DOJO Cloud, organizing and coordinating educational events. Additionally, his commitment to education is evident through his role as a lecturer at Colegio Universitario Francisco de Miranda, emphasizing skill development in IT security.
Carlos was nominated for this month’s Contributor Spotlight Series because of his long-standing contributions to our Microsoft Learn platform! He’s helped answer over 300+ questions on Microsoft Learn Q&A and is a recognized champion of the Microsoft Community Champions program. Carlos holds key certifications, including Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, underscoring his dedication to continuous learning and professional excellence. Aside from his Microsoft contributions and certifications, he’s also a regular contributor in various forums like Stack Overflow.
Meet Carlos:
Sumit: Hello Carlos! It’s great to meet you and spend some time with you today. Please tell us about yourself and your experience.
Carlos: Hey there, Sumit. Nice to meet you, as well. I'm an IT pro with a strong focus on Microsoft Azure and info security. I'm all about digital transformation and beefing up tech infrastructures. Day-to-day, I'm knee-deep in crafting cool solutions with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 to make businesses smoother and safer.
Outside the office grind, I'm super active in the DOJO community, especially around cloud computing. As a DOJO Cloud Leader, I get to organize workshops and talks, creating a space for people to learn and connect over cloud tech. I even spearheaded Microsoft Cloud Day Panama this September, and we're planning to make it an annual thing!
I also love hitting the stage at conferences to chat about IT trends and my experiences. It's a great way to spread knowledge and sharpen my public speaking skills. Some events I've attended include DOJO Conf 2023, Bsides Panama 2023, Amalia Conf 2022, and morterueloCON 2021.
In short, my world's a blend of tech know-how, community vibes, and an endless journey of learning and growing – for me and everyone I meet.
Sumit: That’s so exciting. Love the community work that you’ve been doing. As a community leader, what inspired you to start contributing to Microsoft Learn Q&A, and what motivates you to keep contributing?
Carlos: Jumping into the IT world, especially Microsoft Azure, was driven by my love for tech innovation and wanting to make a real difference. I've always been intrigued by how tech can revolutionize organizations and enhance daily life. This curiosity pulled me deeper into cloud computing and security, which I think are super crucial today. Stumbling across champions program, I was inspired by the desire to belong to a community of professionals who share the same goal which is to help others solve their problems in the use of azure technologies.
What keeps me contributing to the Q&A site? It's seeing the real-world impact of my contributions. When I share what I know, I see others grow, adapt, and solve their own tech challenges. Plus, the feedback and stories from the community are super valuable—they keep me on my toes, always learning and improving.
Another big push is how fast technology evolves. Staying on top of the latest trends is a challenge, but it's thrilling, and I enjoy sharing it with others so they can also stay up to date! I'm stoked about being part of this ongoing tech evolution and helping shape how it positively transforms our lives and society.
Sumit: Have your contributions to Microsoft Learn Q&A helped you advance your learning journey and/or career path?
Carlos: Oh, absolutely! Diving into the Microsoft Learn Q&A platform really turbocharged my career and skill set. It's been awesome for showing off my knack for tackling Microsoft Azure challenges. And dealing with real-world scenarios on the Q&A platform has sharpened my problem-solving skills. I get to look at these problems with a 'let's-fix-this' attitude. Every time I bump into a new question or issue there, it's not just about using what I already know. It's also a chance to dig into fresh areas and technologies in the Azure world, which keeps me right at the cutting edge of what's happening in the industry.
Plus, explaining solutions on the Q&A platform has really upped my communication game. There's a big difference between solving a problem versus explaining it in a way that's clear and helpful to others. That ability to communicate well has been a game-changer in my professional life, especially when I'm working with teams or pitching ideas to bigwigs.
Sumit: That’s amazing - really appreciate the growth mindset with which you operate. What about our Champions program, Carlos? I’d love to know how your partnership with the Microsoft Community Champions program has been?
Carlos: Being part of Microsoft Community Champions? It's been amazing! The vibe here is all about teamwork and support, from both Microsoft folks and fellow champs. They've really helped me up my game, especially in understanding and tackling Azure challenges. What's cool is that this program isn't just about tech skills. It's also boosted my communication and problem-solving abilities big time, thanks to all the great feedback and shared knowledge from the community.
And the perks? They're like the cherry on top! They've got some neat incentives that make being active in the program super rewarding. Won't give away the surprises, but they definitely make you feel appreciated. I recommend everyone to join the Microsoft Community Champions program.
In short, this partnership with Microsoft has been a total win. It's been fun, enlightening, and really pushed my professional growth, connecting me more with the Azure world.
Sumit: Glad to hear that. Community work is an integral part of our culture and having said that, is there any advice you would like to give to your fellow peers who are interested in contributing to open-source content?
Carlos: For anyone thinking about diving into open-source content, I say, yes – jump right in! Getting involved in open-source is a game-changer. It’s great for personal growth and getting noticed professionally because when you contribute, you're not just visible to that project's community, but also to others in similar fields and folks interested in your work.
And here's the cool part: you don't need to be a pro to make a real difference. Just by jumping in, sharing ideas, and doing what you can, you start building a reputation as a knowledgeable and dedicated contributor. And that can happen even if you're still learning.
Plus, open-source is all about teamwork with a diverse bunch of people from all sorts of backgrounds. It's an awesome way to expand your network and polish those team skills, which are super important in any job.
So, my advice? Go for it! It's a rewarding journey that opens up loads of opportunities.
Sumit: Thank you, Carlos – both for your insight and motivation! We’d also like to understand the person behind all this great work. Do you mind sharing something about yourself outside of work?
Carlos: When I'm off the clock, I really focus on staying healthy and connecting with my family and friends. It's all about finding that sweet spot between work and personal life, you know?
I used to be big on running, but these days, I'm more into chill walks. They're awesome for getting some fresh air, clearing my head, and keeping fit. Plus, it's a great way to just slow down and enjoy the moment. Meditation's another big thing for me. It's been a game-changer for my mental health, keeping me cantered and sharp, both in my personal life and at work.
And I love to read! Lately, I've been diving into Stoicism. It's fascinating stuff – talks a lot about resilience, virtue, and just living a good life. It's not just brain food; it's really helped me grow as a person. So yeah, my downtime's all about doing things that bring me joy and balance. Keeps me energized for everything else!
Sumit: Same goes for me as well. I love taking my amazing peaceful walks with my dog! It’s so rejuvenating. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. It was wonderful getting to know you. Before we wrap up, how would you summarize your experience being a Community Champion and a selfless leader who helps the tech ecosystem in various ways?
Carlos: Looking back on my contributions, what really stands out is the importance of sharing knowledge, keeping an active online profile, and building a solid professional brand. It's about more than just you – it's how you fit into and enrich the community, whether it's with DOJO or Microsoft Learn.
Sharing isn't just passing on info; it's about creating a learning environment where everyone benefits. Engaging on platforms like Microsoft Learn is awesome for this – you're both teaching and learning, and that's a win-win. Having a strong online presence has been key for me. It's not just about visibility; it's about connecting, staying updated, and really seeing your impact. These platforms are more than Q&A sites – they're where professional relationships and reputations are built.
And it's not just about what you gain. Being part of a community means contributing to something bigger, and there's a huge sense of fulfillment in that. It's all about giving back and watching the community grow. I would suggest everyone to join the program and help the community grow.
Sumit: Thank you, Carlos, for your time and for all the hard work you’ve dedicated to helping the tech community. It was really nice to meet you.
Keep up with Carlos:
Personal blog: https://www.soysoliscarlos.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soysoliscarlos/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soysoliscarlos
Credly: https://www.credly.com/users/soysoliscarlos/badges
To learn more about:
- Contributing to Microsoft Learn, visit Microsoft Learn Contributor Home.
- Contribute to the Microsoft Learn Q&A by joining the Microsoft Community Champions program using nomination form.
