From Sysadmin to Security at Microsoft with Thomas Rayner

Thomas Rayner joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from sysadmin and PowerShell MVP to securing Microsoft 365 as a security professional at Microsoft. He reflects on how PowerShell accelerated his career, the importance of blogging and community involvement, and why clear communication with managers is vital for growth. Thomas also offers advice for beginners, highlighting patience, persistence, and the value of mentorship in tech.

 

Key Takeaways:

• PowerShell as a force multiplier: Automating repetitive tasks with PowerShell helped Thomas advance his career and opened the door to opportunities at Microsoft.
• Career growth requires communication: Being candid with managers, demonstrating value, and asking for resources to learn are key to advancement.
• Community and mentorship matter: Involvement in the PowerShell community, saying yes to opportunities, and supporting peers can transform both careers and personal growth.

Guest Bio:
Thomas Rayner is a security professional at Microsoft, where he focuses on preventative security solutions in Microsoft 365. A former Microsoft MVP in Cloud and Datacenter Management, Thomas built his career by blogging, speaking, and contributing to the PowerShell community. Originally from Edmonton, Canada, he used PowerShell to accelerate his early career as a sysadmin before moving into security roles at Microsoft. Today, he continues to share career wisdom, mentor others, and advocate for growth mindset thinking in tech.

 

Resource Links:

• Thomas Rayner’s Blog: https://thomasrayner.ca
• Thomas Rayner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrayner/
• Thomas Rayner on GitHub: https://github.com/tlrayner
• Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3H-tMKqlSOs
• The PowerShell Podcast hub page: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast