Life… It’s not a straight road, a highway to success. In most cases, life is full of twists and turns, constantly overcoming challenges and looking for solutions. But in many situations, life is an example of “if you truly desire something, you can achieve it”. Time, people who help, and resources are needed, but you do it if you have a will and can commit yourself to something. Maybe the effect won’t always be as you imagine, but it will come.
Ruben Garzon is an example of someone who was and is still looking to improve in many areas. We invite you to get to know him and his story better. We invite you to get to know @rgarzon1 and his story better.
I grew up in a humble community in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, without access to much technology. Still, my grandfather was repairing things, changing transistors, and soldering. It was something. I had parents who, although they could not give us everything, made enough effort so that we did not lack anything, including when I turned 13, my first computer, which allowed me to enter that system (repair, maintenance, software tools, programming). Between being 15 and 18 years old, I already had a healthy group of clients to whom, using the computer, I was selling the service of creating their website with SEO included. I would say that this was a critical time. It allowed me to see that the future of technology was not only in one single niche, but the needs of customers were varied. I noticed that not everything could be solved with one programming language. All that made me a constant learner, to this day being dedicated to reading and learning as the best way to solve the needs of the customer or… friends.
Thanks to the background from my youth, I was skilled in multiple programming languages, logic, and customer needs. As not everything is so colorful, for a while, I worked more in the area of imports than systems. Although I was still developing and keeping myself updated, I got back to programming by working as an analyst in HR, calculating payroll for 900 people. I had to let people know about their salary details, so I decided to automate it and develop an application in which they could do it from their computer using their account.
I liked it so much, and my company also appreciated it. I was transferred to the systems area and was developing an ERP with multiple features ranging from room management to hiring and firing personnel. That forced me to take the next step, which was to learn more about log control and resource management of my applications, which, in our area, they did with open-source tools that fulfilled their function of giving us constant reports on our performance.
When I started working with Dynatrace, I already had some background about the applications’ lifecycles and relatively easily understood everything Dynatrace offered us. Thanks to that, from the beginning, I started making POCs of the features I was learning from Dynatrace and how they were integrated into some systems I had previously developed.
There are many, and without Dynatrace it would have been tough to identify it. Especially those challenges related to the number of queries where some microservices no longer seem and end up being practically monoliths for their lack of experience, which I have always thought was the biggest challenge.
Dynatrace is not in the tool because, thanks to all the engineering behind it, it makes everything more straightforward. It allows to raise the developer’s or technical leader’s curiosity to improve their application and work even more efficiently. That takes me to the time that I spent almost a year and a half in the largest bank in Peru, going through each of its leading teams explaining and evangelizing with the tool, going from the frontend to the mainframe for every one of the teams by which passed the transactions of your application. The bank’s experience is always very specific. Since that time, there have been multiple customers with whom I have been able to work in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Perhaps there are more than 40 customers from different countries whom Dynatrace has been able to help.
The forums and groups on the internet have been a fundamental part of my knowledge development. Before I got certified for the first time almost 5 years ago,
" The Community was, and still is, the best place to ask questions I have. Usually, it’s likely that someone has already gone through each process and is happy to help and explain. "
This place, full of knowledge and a kind environment, made me join and stay. The best advice I could give anyone regarding the Community is that the only wrong question is the one you don’t ask.
I like to cook and watch anime with my partner. When I’m alone, I read a novel or a manga. My biggest joy is playing with my son, and my passion is to be able to do that for a long time. Also, if I have something to build, I build it. If I have something to learn, I look for the means to learn. I like to hone my skills and develop skills I don’t have.
Well, that my son will learn to program. I have already taught him some things with Scratch, Arduino, and Python.
My dream, too, is to run a school for other young people who want to learn programming and IT one day.
Writing a book is also on my list.
Ruben, thank you for sharing this inspiring story and being an active Community member and looking forward to seeing you even more here, and fingers crossed for your future growth.
Member of the Month is a series of articles posted at the start of every month to honor the most engaged Community Users among our customers, business partners, and employees. We’re patiently observing the contribution in all aspects of the everyday forum run to award those who make the Dynatrace Community a valuable place to be! In the next chapters, you’ll read personal and professional highlights, as we’re all fascinating human beings with a unique story behind us. Who knows, maybe you’ll be here next month?
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Conragtulations @rgarzon1 !
BTW, one of my favorite Salsa songs remembers me of your home town!
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Congratulations! Wishing you a successful career ahead!
Interesting background.
Arduino and Python ❤️These are the best steps to engage a young engineer. 👍
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Congrats @rgarzon1 ! And thanks for joining the Spanish User Group.
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Congrats @rgarzon1 !
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Congratulations, Ruben! :tada: Wishing you all the best!
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Introducing Member of the Month!
Member of the Month articles explained!