Meet Alex Theedom, who works in Training and Certification as a Principal Technical Instructor in our London office.
His main responsibility is to train customers on how to architect and develop Mule applications and systems. He also works with other instructors in EMEA through workshops and feedback to keep improving skills and scores. In addition, he works closely with our Marketing & Operations teams to define and execute strategies that drive participants in our instructor-led training classes to successfully become certified.
He supports the portfolio team by developing course content and reviewing certificate questions. You also may have interacted with Alex via the MuleSoft community, as he presents at local Meetups. He also mentors new instructors and runs a number of other initiatives including blog writing, presenting web sessions on how to improve CSATs, how to recruit new trainers and more.
What is the most interesting problem you’re working on solving right now?
I am working on improving students’ training experience by analysing customer satisfaction statistics. At the completion of a course, students complete a survey about their experience and are asked to provide scores and constructive comments. I devised a methodical way to analyse, interpret, and propose changes to the instructor’s delivery that would increase students’ experience. This has been demonstrated by improved customer satisfaction statistics after the implementation of course delivery changes.
How did you get to becoming a Principal Technical Instructor?
I had been presenting at international Java conferences like JavaOne and Devoxx for a number of years and had developed good presentation skills when I was offered the opportunity to present training videos for LinkedInLearning’s online training site. I jumped at the chance of trying something new and to regularly visit Los Angeles to record the training sessions. Over a period of about 18 months, I recorded 7 video courses on Java Enterprise Edition and enjoyed many trips to Carpenteria, Los Angeles (the location of LinkedIn’s recording studios). So when I saw the opportunity to work as a full-time instructor for MuleSoft, I applied straight away. Honestly, I had never heard of MuleSoft beforehand, but as I became more familiar with the company and products, I began to see the sense in what MuleSoft was aiming to achieve. So I took the plunge and I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Training and Certificate team.
Link to my LinkedIn courses: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/alex-theedom
Take us through a typical day in the life.
I can thankfully say there is no such thing as a typical day in the life of a Muley. It varies such that I may wake up in a different location each week and deliver a different class. When I am not instructing students on MuleSoft, I might be creating courseware, writing blogs, interviewing candidates, and holding practice training. I might be presenting internal training to new Muleys or running a workshop. Even though my main role is instructor, I have fingers in many pies.
What 3 things are always on your desk and why?
As Salesforce has “Ohana seating” (hot-desking), I don’t have a dedicated seat. So the thing that’s usually on my desk is one of my fellow Muleys who arrived to work earlier than I did and nabbed “my seat.” Nevertheless, if I did have a dedicated desk, I would most likely have plenty of plants and a stack of snacks.
What is your favorite activity outside of the office?
Technology is my obsession. I get a great sense of being part of something new and special when I embrace a new technology. Recently, I have been diving into IoT devices such as Alexa; although not really new, Alexa has only recently become a better fit for my lifestyle. Wearable technologies excite me too, and I recently invested in a payment ring that I can use to make payments just as I do with a mobile phone. Its gets attention from shop assistants and waitresses who show interest and curiosity.
You can follow Alex on Twitter to keep up with the latest on MuleSoft and Java or register for one of his upcoming Anypoint Platform architecture training courses.
