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.
Welcome and congratulations to Sedat Salman, our star contributor of the month! Sedat, who serves as a Global Solution Architect and Technical Manager at Schneider Electric, coordinates technological solutions across continents and business sectors. He manages the solution processes, designs, and approves projects across diverse sectors such as oil and gas, food and beverage, transportation, and energy, stretching from Korea to the UK. In a nutshell, from oil rigs in Korea to bustling UK cities, he’s the maestro behind seamless solutions. Sedat’s journey reads like a tech thriller. Picture this: two decades ago, he was a software engineer conjuring up IT solutions. Fast forward to today, and he’s the architect of complex yet robust tech workflows. His secret sauce? Translating critical business strategies into elegant tech blueprints.
Sedat is one of the selfless experts from the Microsoft Community Champions. This program identifies, engages, and rewards technology experts who frequently provide high-quality answers to customers' questions on Microsoft Learn Q&A. Sedat is an Azure subject matter expert (SME), specifically focused on Azure Q&A. With over 600 answered questions on Microsoft Learn Q&A, he’s the go-to guru for Azure enthusiasts. Got a roadblock? Sedat’s your GPS to smooth sailing. Beyond the 1s and 0s, Sedat’s heart beats for the community. As part of Microsoft Community Champions, he’s on a mission to empower fellow learners. Whether it’s a newbie or a seasoned pro, Sedat’s there, unraveling tech mysteries. What fuels Sedat’s fire? A genuine desire to make a difference. He’s not just building tech; he’s building bridges—connecting people, ideas, and possibilities.
Meet Sedat
Sedat Salman, Global Solution Architect and Technical Manager at Schneider Electric, Dubai
Sumit: Hi Sedat! Thanks for joining us today. It’s a pleasure to meet you. To start us off, do you mind sharing a bit about your background and experience?
Sedat: It is great to be here and finally meet you. I've had a very exciting journey watching the tech ecosystem change every now and then, as it should. I've been navigating the IT landscape for over two decades now, focusing on bringing innovative cloud and security solutions to life. My journey has taken me through various industries, from consultancy to defense to telecom, where I've had the privilege of steering teams toward groundbreaking projects. I started my career as a software engineer, developing IT and security software, and I'm still very much involved in that process. However, a while back, I shifted my career path toward solution and project management. Nowadays, what I mainly do involves translating complex business strategies into robust tech architectures, ensuring we're not just meeting, but exceeding our clients' expectations.
Currently, I'm with Schneider Electric in Dubai, where I lead solution management processes for various sectors including oil and gas, food and beverage, transportation, and energy across multiple regions. Before this, I was deeply involved in cybersecurity and digital transformation at STM Defence, handling everything from cloud migrations to managing a hefty project portfolio. What I really enjoy is the chance to share my experiences and insights as a speaker at industry events. It's not just about showcasing our achievements but also about contributing to the community, learning from peers, and sparking innovative ideas together.
Sumit: All of it sounds so exciting. Here’s to you: the code composer, the cloud conductor, and the community captain. Keep shining, Sedat! Your tech symphony echoes across the digital universe. As a community contributor, what keeps you motivated to go out and help others in need?
Sedat: Actually, I've been trying to support community initiatives like this for a very long time. While working in the software field, I used to organize weekly knowledge-sharing sessions in our office where friends from outside would gather, swapping tech insights like secret recipes. Soon, the stage expanded to university halls, where I delivered hundreds of seminars with the hope of igniting minds and sparking curiosity. Remember Technet Forums? Those virtual hubs where tech enthusiasts gathered to unravel mysteries. For 15 years I helped build the community, leaving a digital breadcrumb trail for seekers. However, my Microsoft Learn Q&A for Azure, adventure started in the last couple of years. My primary goal has always been to learn by sharing. The topics we discuss at events or forums have always helped shape my career and goals. It’s about keeping your knowledge garden blooming. In the ever-evolving tech landscape, stagnation is the enemy. By sharing, you stay nimble, your neurons stay active, and your path is continuously illuminated.
Sumit: In the bustling world of tech, you stand as a beacon of community spirit. Keep sharing, keep growing, and keep the tech symphony alive. I would like to know if contributing to Microsoft Learn Q&A ever helped you learn something new or gain a new skill set to advance your career.
Sedat: Cloud computing has been an integral part of my career for quite some time now, beginning with setting up private cloud installations using OpenStack to manage company resources. Later, I was introduced to Azure Cloud. Initially, I started learning it as if it were just a hobby. Over time, I began following courses on the Microsoft Learn platform, completing certification exams, and answering questions in the Q&A section. Initially, I limited my responses to questions in my field, but as I took more courses, I started to expand my answers to other areas.
Microsoft Learn not only enriches my knowledge but also allows me to develop myself in different fields. For example, I'm now delving into Azure-based AI and DevOps processes. Moreover, I have reached a position where I can assist my clients with their transition from On-premises to Cloud, allowing me the opportunity to be involved in very niche, unique, and valuable projects within my field. All it took was a desire to learn and support the community and Microsoft Learn Q&A opened a door full of opportunities to expand my skillset.
Sumit: I am so glad to hear this. You truly have been a community’s compass helping people in need, directing them to the right path. As part of the Community Champions program, would you mind sharing something about your partnership with Microsoft so far?
Sedat: The Microsoft Community Champions program energizes me. Whenever I find myself lacking the energy to share or answer questions, I think of the bustling environment in the Microsoft Community Champions program. There, I follow the top contributors, prepare a learning list for myself, and try to develop myself in different areas. It’s not just numbers for me but it’s about levelling up my knowledge game. Additionally, meeting different people and following their ideas continues to give me insights into what I might do in the future. I believe conversations with fellow tech wanderers spark ideas—lightbulbs in a digital galaxy. Of course, another goal is for my contributions to ripple through the community pond, inspiring others to dive in. Because in this vast ocean of tech, every drop counts.
Sumit: Cheers to you. We hope your Azure flame keeps burning and attracts others to follow your suit. Any advice to folks who want to start their contribution journey to open-source platforms like Microsoft Learn Q&A?
Sedat: Sharing is very important, especially today. My journey of getting acquainted with the open-source world spans approximately 20 years. During this time, both while developing software and managing solutions, I've benefited from thousands of pieces of information, such as open-source documents, codes, software, blog posts, Q&As, etc. I try to contribute to this cycle by consolidating the information I've gathered and sharing it with others.
Imagine a bustling square where tech wanderers gather. Here, open-source souls converge, driven by a common purpose: to craft high-quality software that transcends borders. It’s a global village where diversity blooms and passion fuels the forge. Open-source documents, code snippets, blog posts, and Q&As- each piece whispers secrets, illuminates paths, and shapes our journey. In this digital agora, voices resonate. We should not just consume; but contribute as well. We should be curators of this beautiful landscape.
Sumit: Thank you for the encouragement for our fellow readers. Another goal of this interview is to get to know the amazing person behind all the tech wizardry and selfless community work. We would love to hear from you about how you spend your time outside of work.
Sedat: Aside from my professional endeavors, I try to make the most of the little free time I have. I dedicate this precious time to my 3-year-old daughter and my spouse. I also have a keen interest in reading history and mythology books, and playing chess is another hobby I enjoy. These activities not only help me unwind but also stimulate my mind in different ways, complementing my technical pursuits.
Sumit: It was great having you, Sedat. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors, and Kudos to you for all the great work you have been doing with the online community and Microsoft Learn Q&A forum. Thank you.
Keep up with Sedat:
Personal blog: https://sdtslmn.blog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sedatsalman/
Microsoft Learn Profile: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/users/sdtslmn/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_egFN3P3IBVoXfd88HglrA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sdtslmn
To learn more about:
- Contributing to Microsoft Learn, visit Microsoft Learn Contributor Home
- Contributing to the Microsoft Learn Q&A by joining the Microsoft Community Champions program.
