I’m excited to announce that the dotNetDave No Rest for the Wicked World Tour is rolling into Austin, Texas, for SQL Saturday on the 27th, June 2026.

I’m thrilled to be speaking at this event for the first time!

Make sure to arrive early and grab a seat up front — you just might catch a custom dotNetDave guitar pick flying through the air and other swag! These sessions are going to be packed with energy, insights, and a whole lot of fun.

Below is the info for the session I’ll be presenting — I’d love to see you there! It’s going to be a blast, and I promise you’ll walk away with something useful (and maybe even a laugh or two). Don’t miss it!

Röck Yoür Cäreer: Time-Tested Wisdom from a 30-Year Software Engineering Veteran

Your career in tech is more than just code—it’s a long-term journey that deserves intention, strategy, and passion. In this engaging and highly motivating session, I share the lessons I’ve learned over more than 30 years as a software engineer and 18 years as a university educator. Along the way, I’ve authored multiple software engineering books, built and maintained a successful technical blog since the 1990s, earned a technology patent, and led an award-winning user group for over two decades. Everything I’ve done has centered on one mission: helping engineers build meaningful, successful, and sustainable careers.

This session is your roadmap to navigating the tech industry with confidence and clarity. I’ll pull back the curtain on what actually works—not just in theory, but in real life—when it comes to building a career that lasts and thrives.

You’ll learn how to:
• Develop powerful learning habits to stay relevant in a constantly evolving industry
• Create a healthy work-life balance without sacrificing ambition or growth
• Use conferences and community events to build authentic, long-term professional relationships
• Identify and leverage your unique strengths to stand out and advance your career
• Protect your mental and physical well-being for long-term success and happiness

This isn’t a motivational talk filled with empty platitudes. It’s a practical, honest, and energizing conversation about how to build a tech career you’re proud of—one that grows with you, supports your life, and fuels your creativity.

You’ll walk away with actionable guidance, renewed confidence, and a clear sense of direction. Bring your notebook, because this session is packed with career-shaping insights you can apply immediately.

Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and optimistic about what’s next in your tech journey. Your career deserves to rock just as hard as your code.

Resources

• Tips for a Long and Successful Career in Software Engineering Podcast:
  https://bit.ly/RCWSeason4Finale
• Write Something—anything—to Jumpstart and Elevate Your Career:
  https://bit.ly/CareerWriteAnything
• Rethinking the Full-Stack Developer: Challenges, Realities, and Alternative Perspectives
  https://bit.ly/FullStackIsAMyth
• Surviving and Thriving in Tech: Timeless Advice from Three Decades in Software Engineering
  https://bit.ly/TimelessAdvice30

Unleash Your Inner Rockstar: The 5 Steps to Dynamic Public Speaking!

Ready to elevate your career, captivate your workplace, or take the leap into the world of conference speaking? This session is for you! With over 30 years of experience in public speaking, I’m thrilled to share the essential five steps that will transform you into a dynamic speaker and presenter.

If you’re like I was at the start of my journey—nervous, unsure, and wondering how to capture the audience’s attention—this session will help you conquer those fears. My unique approach to public speaking has not only helped me overcome stage fright but has also allowed me to build an impactful career as an award-winning developer, university educator, published author, blogger, patented inventor, and more!

In this engaging talk, you’ll learn actionable strategies you can implement immediately to:
• Master the art of speaking with confidence and clarity.
• Deliver presentations that resonate with your audience and keep them engaged.
• Overcome stage fright and embrace the spotlight.
• Establish a lasting impact on any audience, whether you’re addressing your peers, leadership, or large crowds.

You’ll also discover my top-secret tip for presenters—one simple technique that guarantees to leave your audience hungry for more.

This session isn’t just about speaking; it’s about empowering yourself and enhancing your career. Come join me for this electrifying talk, and let’s unlock your potential as a rockstar speaker, elevating your communication skills to new heights and amplifying your engineering expertise!

Resources

• Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Preparation is the Secret for Captivating Presentations and Flawless Demos
  https://bit.ly/CareerPresentationDemos
• Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Captivate Your Audience from the Start by Explaining “The Why”
  https://bit.ly/CareerTheWhy
• Write Something—anything—to Jumpstart and Elevate Your Career:
  https://bit.ly/CareerWriteAnything
• Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from a Lifetime of Teaching and Sharing
  https://bit.ly/CareerTeachingSharing
• Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Creating Captivating Technical Demos
  https://bit.ly/CareerTechDemos
• Surviving and Thriving in Tech: Timeless Advice from Three Decades in Software Engineering
  https://bit.ly/TimelessAdvice30
• From Fear to Triumph: My 30-Year Journey in Public Speaking
  https://bit.ly/CareeerPublicSpeaking