Meet Community MVP...
Shiva Thomas
Hello Shiva! So tell us a little on how you got started in your career and when was ServiceNow introduced to you?
What do you do now? What is your favorite part of using the ServiceNow?
I'm the ServiceNow Master Architect for Cognizant Europe, and an IT Security specialist with a strong GRC and SecOps background. I'm also an Agile Project Manager and Business Analyst. I enjoy creating solutions with that amazing and creative Lego box that ServiceNow is. I also like that it's a good environment for fan of remote-working.
How did your career evolve?
I'm an autodidact with a career full of twists. My first dab at computing in 1995, was as at computer graphic designer, and teaching IT basics to classes of teenagers. I started working in Enterprise and banking environment in 2000, as IT support and team leader. IT support was nice, but I wanted to do more, so I learned how to do website development and tried to start my own company. After all those jobs, I started to see how all of those diverse experiences could be re-used in new projects, like when someone asked my "Do you know a graphic designer who knows programming and have already worked in a financial institution?", and became a reporting specialist for four years. This is when I moved to a new place, and was hired to train a ServiceDesk and implement my first ServiceNow instance. From that point I made sure to apply continuous improvement to myself, via continuous learning.
How did you get involved with the ServiceNow Community?
There were so many times where Community posts helped my in my job, I wanted to contribute back.
You're very generous with your time. What inspired you to start answering in addition to asking?
I'm a strong believer that sharing is caring
How do you work the community into your day?
Since a few years ago, I disciplined myself to take a few minutes each day to answer the questions I could. Sadly, because of the recent pandemic, I had to drop that from my daily routine.
Where do you spend your time in the community?
You'll find me in places where my IT Security and GRC experience helps, so the SecOps and GRC forums.
How else do you participate?
I write blog articles published on Community, my own website, and LinkedIn. I also train employees at Cognizant.
What would you say to encourage your peers to participate more?
Don't feel obligated. I do it because I like it. The ideal job is the one you enjoy doing.
Any other advice to share with those just starting on their journey with ServiceNow?
Never stop aiming yourself to new goals. Continuous improvement is not only an ITIL principle. It should be applied to oneself.
What motivates you to participate? Why do you do it?
Being a contributor in domain where there is a lack of experts can open new job opportunities for you.
Any other interesting tidbits, stories, hobbies you'd like to share?
I make ice-cream on the spot, using liquid nitrogen, semi-cook eggs at exactly 64.5°C and do my own Limoncello. I also practice special effect makeup at semi-pro level.
Thank you, Shiva!
