Meet Mike Allen!
We recently had the opportunity to talk with one of the Community's Leading Top Contributor and Community MVP, Mike Allen
With a long history in operational support as a systems engineer and certified DBA, he's been working with ServiceNow Solutions since 2011. He enjoys participating in the Community because "This is your career! Become as good as you can, and the only way to see 100s of issues a day, and solve them is to be involved in the community."
How did your career evolve?
I started out on the helpdesk (a dial-up internet provider help desk at first, then help desk for an MSP). After that, I went on to be a Windows Engineer, which led to work in databases. Because of all my varied experience, as my company was changing Ticketing Systems, I was targeted as the primary developer for our ServiceNow instance.
What do you do now? What is your favorite part of using ServiceNow
I am a lead developer for ServiceNow. I like that the platform is so versatile; I can do anything I want in ServiceNow. There has yet to be a business problem that I have been unable to solve with the tool.
How did you get involved with the ServiceNow Community?
At my old job, a lot of my work was being deprioritized and there wasn't a lot to do. To keep myself sharp, I decided to help the community. By the time I changed companies, I had really learned the value of helping the community, so I kept the habit.
How do you work the community into your day?
I work my tasks, and, for a break, I answer questions. It allows me to process my particular task subconsciously.
What motivates you to participate? Why do you do it?
It has become a true community to me. I have met great people because of it. It also allows me to learn things and solve problems that aren't presented to me via everyday work.
How else do you participate?
I try to blog, but am not very good at keeping it up. I try to imagine features I'd like to see in the community and suggest these things.
Where do you spend your time in the community?
Mostly in the recent questions.
Does your employer support your participation?
My employer supports my involvement, but there is still a stipulation that I remain focused on my work first.
What would you say to encourage your peers to participate more?
It really is worth the effort. Oftentimes, I will see a problem posted to the community and try to recreate it in my own personal development instance. Then I solve it, thus increasing my overall knowledge of the platform as a whole.
Any thoughts for your peers who are thinking about becoming more active in the Community?
Do it! This is your career! Become as good as you can, and the only way to see 100s of issues a day, and solve them is to be involved in the community.
Any other interesting tidbits, stories, hobbies you'd like to share?
I am a role-player, both table top and live action. I play board games quite a bit. I barbeque at home nearly every weekend. I play a little guitar and I exercise quite frequently.
