How I created a ServiceNow RiseUp:er

Only three months after starting her studies, Amanda decided to have a go at the exam for Certified System Administrator (CSA). Even though she didn't feel entirely prepared, she reasoned that she had an honest chance att receiving a passing score. But more importantly, she needed to know what the exam questions really looked like - so she would know how to study more efficiently, if not passing the exam. Unfortunately Amanda didn't reach a passing result, but I must say that I was very, very impressed of the result. She excelled in many areas, and missed out only slightly in the areas of Database Management and Integrations - two very technical areas, and two areas we haven't worked with so much. Even though failing the exam, Amanda still feel very optimistic - after all it was close, so the CSA exam feels reachable. A chocking discovery when registering for the exam, was the exam fee. $300 + VAT which equals to $375. This seems extremely expensive for a single mother with...

 Last week I gave Amanda a sharp task to practice the new skills and test herself. The task focused on the Service Catalog and contained the following elements: Create a new category in the Service Catalog to order pizza. Create subcategories for different types of pizzas, for example Italian, American, etc. Each orderable pizza must contain: Description Price Image When you order a pizza, you should be able to choose extra ingredients - which should also affect the price. Price must be given in Swedish currency (kr). Certain pizzas in each category can only be ordered by VIP customers, and thus not be visible/selectable for "regular" customers. (Note that the instance was not pre-configured for Swedish currency - only US currency.)

After just over three weeks in the ServiceNow RiseUp program, we take the temperature on Amanda and ask how it has gone (3 min. 51 sec.). Subtitles are available in both Swedish and English. Lars-Åke: Now it has been just over three weeks since you started the RiseUp program. How did it feel that first day in September when you first logged into Now Learning and started your journey? Amanda: Well, the first time I logged in, so that... It was interesting because I understood absolutely nothing. It was a whole new world. Lars-Åke: And compared to three weeks later? Amanda: Well, now I'm starting to get some understanding. There's still a lot left, but... I've learned that it's like a whole new language. All the concepts it implies, and… Lars-Åke: Because you have no IT background before? Amanda: Not at all. Lars-Åke: How long do you think it will take before you feel you are ready to: I can do this "for real"? Amanda: It's hard to say even now, it...

This is Amanda (and me). Amanda is 33 years old and has never worked in the IT industry before - but has had time to try several different industries and acquired a lot of practical and theoretical knowledge and experience. She is also self-employed and is generally very creative and solution-focused. Amanda is very intelligent, analytical and empathetic. A big challenge for Amanda in professional life is to be sufficiently challenged and stimulated; she quickly becomes great at things, and can then just as quickly get tired and find the work a bit monotonous and boring. Amanda currently works part-time as a subway driver for MTR and part-time she runs her private beauty salon. Amanda is looking for a new existence in life and wants to try a new industry. ServiceNow is currently running the RiseUp program, which aims to meet the crying need for ServiceNow developers/configurators, with the goal of having 1 million certified individuals by 2024. With Rise Up, even non-technical people, ...