This is my first blog and frankly, I am thrilled to write something about Community Day. Though many times, this topic was discussed in various forums, I would like to share my personal experience about the significance of Community Day.
I started learning SAP in 2004 and I was literally struggling to learn SAP due to the fact I dont have any Mentors to teach the basics. Through one of my friend, I came to know about this SDN and its significant activities in encouraging its members.
Immediately, I registered myself to be a part of this great forum and started learning the criticalities in various process. Slowly, I also started giving suggestions to test myself as to how far, I have excelled in the area in which I am learning. I got excellent recognition once I started giving suggestions and have been rewarded with Top Contributor Badge in 2008, followed by Certification of Appreciation in 2009 for having given more quality suggestions. If I am correct, till 2008, badges and T-Shirts were given as a part of recognition to Top Contributors and I was told that due to logistics contraint, this has been stopped. But still with the recognition I got from SDN, many eyebrows were raised in my earlier employment where it is a very rare occasion to get some recognition. After that wherever I go, people recognized me and given a hearty reception which I never dreamed in my life.
Why I am telling is that basically, I have started my career in 1988 in a junior level and I was a non-IT guy, worked in various organizations and only when I started learning SAP, the recognition I got from SDN is phenomenal and my position has came to Executive level. The most important part of my life is that in 2008, I have been invited to take part in Community Day, TechEd, Bangalore where I met many greats including Marylin Pratt. Unfortunately, due to some reason or the other, this has been stopped now and hope atleast, some get together would be arranged before the TechEd'10 commences in
Bangalore.
Regards
G. Lakshmipathi
