Proven Professional Spotlight - Heath Hamm

Education: BA Philosophy of Science (current), AA Natural Science Mathematics, AA Transfer Studies, AA Technical Prep

Certification Tracks: EMCCA, EMCDCA, EMCTA, EMCIE

Certifications:

Cloud Architect: Virtualized Infrastructure Specialist, IT-as-a-Service Expert

Data Center Architect: Information Availability Design Specialist, Storage Networking Design Specialist

Technology Architect: Backup and Recovery Solutions Specialist, CLARiiON Solutions Specialist, Isilon Infrastructure Specialist, Isilon Solutions Specialist, Network Attached Storage (NAS) Specialist, Storage Area Network (SAN) Specialist, Symmetrix Solutions Specialist, VNX Solutions Specialist

Implementation Engineer: Backup Recovery – Avamar Specialist, Backup Recovery - NetWorker Specialist, Data Domain Specialist, Isilon Specialist, Network Attached Storage (NAS) Specialist, VNX Solutions Specialist

Associate Level: Backup Recovery Associate, Cloud Infrastructure and Services Associate, Information Storage Associate, Information Storage Associate v2

Product/Technology Specific: EMC Data Domain Deduplication, Backup and Recovery

Areas of Expertise:Data Center Architecture, Storage Design, Information Availability

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In this month’s Proven Professional Spotlight, Heath Hamm takes a few moments to answer our questions about his interests, career, and thoughts on the EMC Proven Professional Program.

Can you briefly describe your background? For example, how did you first become interested in IT?

My journey into IT started with a Hewlett Packard Legend 125sx and a couple of video games. As time passed so did technology and before I knew it I had learned how to upgrade memory, hard drives and eventually a tech-refresh! As I continued changing hardware, I began learning software and troubleshooting compatibility and other issues. Eventually, I started helping friends and family and soon after I was involved with local business projects.  While attending college I also attended CTC, a private technology training school, where I earned my DOS and Windows certifications. From there, I was able to begin a professional career in the IT field. I am now working for Quest, a technology management firm.

What big project are you working on now? Or what major project have you recently completed?

I have several large projects that I’m working on, my favorite is Quest’s architecting of a major aerospace company.

Name a major achievement in your career or any awards that you have won.

Winning 2nd place in the Partner Extreme Certification Challenge at EMC World 2013 was very challenging and rewarding! I also recently received EMC SE Endorsements.

What most interests you about your work?

The ever-changing world of technology - it’s always evolving.  But working with such a variety of people, from all walks of life and from so many different places in the world has to be the most interesting part of my work. How has the EMC Proven Professional Program benefitted you professionally? It has enabled me to move up and has provided me with the knowledge and tools needed to move into more interesting positions and reach for greater opportunities as I have at Quest.

What advice would you give someone entering the EMC Proven Professional Program?

The EMCISA was a great course to take, lots of good foundational knowledge, for EMC’ers and non-EMC’ers alike. One of the great things about the EMC Proven Professional Program is that the course materials are based on technologies and standards as well as best practices that apply not only to EMC products but to all products and businesses. After EMCISA, an EMC Proven Professional is able to start on more advanced training, technologies, and concepts in their subject matter of choice.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I would like to thank EMC and the local EMC team here in Roseville, CA. They’re hardworking and caring about their work, going the extra mile for their customers and partners. In fact, when I was a customer they helped me understand my CX/NX systems which led me to a position working for Quest, a long-time EMC partner. Then, as I entered the Partner Community, the local EMC team helped guide me with training and advanced knowledge. I would love to help and offer any assistance to others who are starting their journey into becoming an EMC Proven Professional.

Read past Proven Professional Spotlights here