Here’s a quote from the Pragmatic Works Foundation site:

“The Pragmatic Works Foundation is a non-profit organization created to find passionate people who are interested in joining the technology field but cannot make the financial investments needed for training and hardware. The goal is to provide candidates the opportunity to learn new technologies from industry experts. In addition to offering free training, we work with our onsite recruiter to help place candidates who complete training with a new career in technology. We all respect and honor those who have served for our country, that’s why we are devoted to helping veterans that are interested in transitioning to a new IT career.”

Pragmatic Works Foundation is like the SQL Server Freshman Scholarship. I see it is as such a noble cause; looking for people who may want to switch up their careers, but just don’t have the resources to hit the ground running. Don’t get me wrong – there are a lot of great free resources out there that can help – the SQL Server User Groups, the SQLSaturdays, the Virtual Chapters and 24HOP. But for someone who might be completely new to technology, it might be hard and intimidating to join these events without someone holding your hand, or just guiding you.

I think this is the great complement that Pragmatic Works Foundation offers. They find the qualified candidates, provide the training in a small, close, study environment, and they sponsor all the resources – yes, including brand new laptops and books. How great is that?

No Pragmatic Works didn’t pay me to write this post, but I really just wanted to give them a big kudos for this great project. This is a great testament to how great the SQL Server Community is. I can’t say enough about how happy I am being part of this #SQLfamily community.

Personally, this re-affirms some of the things I want to do and save up for. At some point, I’d like to be able to do something similar. Give something back in such a fashion. I’ve received help and encouragement when I was just starting, and up until now, and I’d like pay it forward. Until then, I will continue doing my baby steps. One student at a time. One SQLSaturday at a time.