#MeetOurTeam - Mattias

What does a typical workday look like to you?

I start the day by checking my email to make sure I'm in phase, then I join the morning meeting to discuss my team's challenges before I deep down into the tasks for the day. This can be anything from helping a customer to look at specific targeted performance issues when running a particular query, building standards for how a platform should be set up, or building complex multi-instance cluster solutions for license consolidation and centralizing operations.

Which technologies do you work with?

I work with several technologies, but the ones I work with the most are Microsoft SQL Server, Hyper-V, VMware, Storage and Azure.

Do you have any certifications?

Yes, I have certifications in Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Azure and Oracle, the heaviest is my Certified Master in SQL Server where there are five of us in the Nordics (about 150 in the world) who hold this certification. It is considered the most complicated certification Microsoft has created where both theory and practice are tested.

The preparation for the theoretical test took about six months. I took an online prep course that started in Los Angeles where I worked during the day and sat with the prep course in the evenings/nights as Los Angeles is 9 hours behind Sweeden.  In terms of time spent with countless hours of reading pre-study material, and everything else I could come across that had to do with architecture and function for SQL server, in addition to creating my own lab scenarios to practice on, this was a tough time in my life. 

The requirements to attempt this certification were:

• Five or more years of hands-on experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting SQL Server
• One or more years of experience with the latest version of SQL Server
• Deep understanding of SQL Server technical design and architecture
• Deep understanding of Active Directory, DNS, and other core network services related to SQL server
• At the time, the highest ranked certification was MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) for both Database Administrator and Database developer

A written test was conducted in Berlin which was the closest test location for me. The test time was much longer than normal and the questions were very tough, all based on knowledge and giving no opportunity for guesswork.

The security around this was rigorous where the test leader emptied his pockets of things e.g. nothing was allowed into the test room except for a pad and a pen that you were given by the test leader.

I managed to pass the theoretical exam and then had to go on with the practical exam, called "MCM Lab Exam". Here you will encounter x number of scenarios that deal with everything from architecture to advanced troubleshooting, which you will try to solve practically in about 6.5 hours. To do this, you need every second you can get. After the test is done, the test management goes over your exam and presents the results within a 30-day period. It was a long 30 days, but finally, the news came that I had succeeded.

So to sum up, a very demanding certification that took many hours over a very long time but has given me so much in my working life and expanded my network.

What drives you to go to work?

My curiosity for new challenges and new technology develops me every day. You never become fully qualified.

What is the best thing about working in Cegal?

Competent work colleagues and interesting challenges.

Mattias

What is your superpower?

I can easily see connections and this helps me to be effective in seeing and finding solutions to complex issues.

Which app do you use the most and why?

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and text editors, because they are my primary work tools when debugging and coding.

What would you have brought to a desert island? Why?

Ignition steel, a machete, a survival bracelet, and a metal pot. With fire and water, you survive well. I want to bring my family and dachshund with me of course :-)

How was your summer? 

The holiday has been great with a perfect mix of sun, swimming and activities, where we have had time to both enjoy the summer cottage, go boating a lot with sun, swimming and ring riding with the children as well as some construction of a shed for the house. Also managed to enjoy a few live concerts so I feel that the summer is maxed out.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

Have many irons in the fire, where I spend a lot of time with my children as youth leader in shooting for my oldest son and goalkeeper coach in soccer for my youngest son. I've been playing music almost my whole life (Electric base), riding motorcycles and fixing with my American, a muscle car from 1968, and fishing and hunting with my hunting dachshund Chili are close to my heart.

Above you see my American from 1968.