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. 

As a seasoned IT professional with over two decades of experience, Konstantinos navigated through the evolving tech landscape from the days of Windows 95 to today’s cutting-edge cloud technologies. Based in Athens, Greece, his experience spans across various roles – from a Computer Technician to IT Director, Network Engineer, and a Printing Press Operator with a knack for Network Admin tasks and Corel Draw. However, his true expertise lies in Azure and M365, where for the past eight years, he has excelled as a Cloud-Systems Architect at EPAM Systems, specializing in Azure Designs and Architectures.

Konstantinos 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. Konstantinos is an Azure subject matter expert (SME), specifically focuses on Azure Q&A. With over 400 answered questions on Microsoft Learn Q&A, he’s one stop shop for Azure enthusiasts. Konstantinos, the cloud sherpa, ensures that Azure enthusiasts can spread their wings without obstacles. When you find yourself lost in the Azure wilderness, think of Konstantinos and his fellow champions—they’ve got your back! As part of Microsoft Community Champions, he’s on a mission to empower fellow learners. Join the community, learn, and thrive with Microsoft Community Champions.

Meet Konstantinos

Konstantinos Passadis, Azure System Architect at EPAM Systems, Greece

Sumit: Hi Konstantinos! 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?  

Konstantinos:  I’m a 47-year-old Cloud-Systems Architect with EPAM Systems, based in the lively city of Athens, Greece. I have over 20 years of experience in the IT field, where I’ve worked as a Computer Technician, an IT Director, and everything in between. But my real passion is in the cloud – especially Azure and M365. For the last eight years, I’ve been dedicating myself to Azure, and now I’m skilled at creating Azure Designs and Architectures. I can confidently handle any aspect of a Cloud or Hybrid project, whether it’s an Exchange Migration, Hybrid Identity, or a Data and AI Solution.

My career is not just a profession; it’s a pledge to share what I know. I founded Azure Innovators Hub, a meetup group focused on Azure, DevOps, and Cloud Technologies, to motivate others in this vast field. As a person who loves solving complex problems, I find great joy in overcoming challenges that seem impossible. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), my goal is not only to grow but to produce something innovative for the MCT community. I am also a community speaker and represent Global Azure 2024 for Greece, with our meetup group Azure Innovators Hub which finally put Greece on the Global Azure map.

Sumit: All of it sounds so amazing. Here’s to you! Making waves in the Aegean Sea of technology – the Cloud Connoisseur of Athens! As a community contributor, what keeps you motivated to help others in need?

Konstantinos: My journey in IT taught me one crucial thing: knowledge is meant to be shared. That’s why I started Azure Innovators Hub, a meetup group that’s all about Azure, DevOps, and Cloud Technologies. It’s my way of passing the torch and encouraging others to find their voice in this vast field. Solving complex problems is my kind of adrenaline rush – there’s no such thing as “this doesn’t work” in my book. But with only 24 hours in a day, there’s always a race against time. Besides being an IT enthusiast, I’m also an MCT, always evolving and dreaming big. I’ve got plans to create something groundbreaking for the MCT community – maybe this year or perhaps in 2025. Stay tuned, exciting things are on the horizon!

When I saw the opportunity of being a member of the Microsoft Community Champions Community that will allow me to share my own expertise and solve others problems, I didn’t think twice! I want to follow the unspoken rule of sharing what I know, and this is a great place for me to do that! I became an Azure Community Champion and recently a moderator, and I try to attend all monthly meetings! The recognition is one side of the motivation, being a person that believes in giving back is the other. I got help when I needed it and I want to be the person that provides the other way around. Of course, I am still posting questions since I never stop learning and to say it simply, I spend a few hours each week dedicated to the Microsoft Learn QnA forum ! I support the initiative and I am very happy to see it evolve and being a part of it!

Sumit: I agree with you. Each day is a sprint in this marathon of innovation, with the clock ticking on our finite hours. Your tale of sharing and re-inventing yourself is truly inspiring. I am curious whether participating in Microsoft Learn Q&A ever helped you acquire new knowledge or develop new skills to further your career. 

Konstantinos: Every Question I decide to engage with is a new challenge. I do my research, I try to reproduce the issues, and I try to be very thorough if the issue is complicated. My engagement with the Microsoft Learn QnA and given me the opportunity to learn more on Data and Analytics with Synapse and Data Factory , which eventually motivated me obtain data related certifications from Microsoft and Databricks. And the learning never stops because there’s no one solution fits all kind of scenario with these diverse range of questions. There are issues that require a deeper understanding of the field and that makes me do the research and keep notes. It is an amazing journey to be able to respond and simultaneously learn new things from another person’s question.

Sumit: The quest to an answer is a gateway to new discoveries and learnings. I am glad you are enjoying this exhilarating journey and upskilling yourself while navigating through this quest.  As part of the Community Champions program, would you mind sharing something about your partnership with Microsoft so far.

Konstantinos: My experience with Microsoft is simply amazing!  I have been able to see great people engaging into community driven work with passion and dedication, always willing to assist and make our experiences the better! I am very grateful that I have chosen Microsoft and Microsoft products as a professional and as a person. The support and the initiatives are always engaging and new innovations always around the corner, so it is an exciting journey with a lot of motivation!

Sumit: We are honoured to collaborate with you and all the passionate folks of the community. Cheers to all the champions! We wish you continued success with Azure and hope you inspire others to join you. Any advice to folks wants to start their contribution journey to open-source platforms like Microsoft Learn Q&A?

Konstantinos: Contributions are the driving force of the IT community. Each one of us has found a solution looking into forums and community blogs so we know from firsthand experience, the importance of contributing. I strongly believe that most of us at some point in time realize that it is time well spend contributing to our communities. For someone already there, just keep on going. I’d say that those who contribute their time to help others learn are sort of heroes , and this is a recognition you never find in day-to-day business and is quite rare.

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 selfless community work. We would love to hear from you about how you spend your time outside of work?

Konstantinos: Well, I am really an IT geek. I believe in lifetime of learning and my job is also my hobby. Apart from that I enjoy family time and my little girl who just came in this world, and I am excited and scared at the same time. Music is something I always return to, with some amateur compositions and guitar. I also spend time helping others into more “handy” stuff, such as prepare a router, build a WIFI network or a VPN. I maintain community group and dedicate time to create Fundamental learning paths for people who cannot afford to pay for their exam preparation and spread the news that I am here for you via social media channels, Top Mate and mouth to mouth. I have an instinct to help others and I can’t help myself than do it.

Sumit: It was great to have you, Konstantinos. Wishing you best of luck for all your endeavours 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 Konstantinos: 

Personal blog: https://cloudblogger.eu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpassad/

MS Learn Profile: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/users/konstantinospofficeline-9007/

Credly: https://www.credly.com/users/konstantinos-passadis/badges  

TechCommunity: About KonstantinosPassadis – Microsoft Community Hub

To learn more about: 

Contributing to Microsoft Learn, visit Microsoft Learn Contributor Home. 
Contribute to the Microsoft Learn Q&A by joining the Microsoft Community Champions program. 

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