I know that most people believe in FAQs being a useful tool. I agree. Having answers to frequently asked questions can save you a lot of hassle when trying to figure something out. However, sometimes it turns out that no matter WHAT the question may be, there is the same answer. Microsoft Certification and Education tends to work that way.
Over the years, I get a lot of questions of the "What classes...", "Which exams..." and "What do they ask in ..." variety. The answer almost invariably ends up suggesting going to Microsoft's Learning web site... which you can get to here.
(www.microsoft.com/learning if the link doesn't work for you)
As you can see, assuming you have taken my friendly advice and gone there, along the left there is a list of links dealing with Training, the Certifications, the Exams and a lot of other resources. Along the top are several links to other resources including the private sites for people who already have one of Microsoft's Certifications. It is a very large and detailed site and it can sometimes be a bit difficult to find exactly what you need so I'd like to show you part of it.
Just as an example, if you put your mouse pointer over the Exams link on the left margin, you should get a popup menu that offers choices for Searching, Preparing or Registering for an exam. You can select one of them from the menu or just click on the Exam link itself to go to the Exams home page. As you scroll the window, you can see several options (including one about Discontinued Exams that I will come back to in another entry) that might send you in the right direction.
I hope that helps but if anyone has questions, or wants me to go through some of the other sections....let me know and you may give me the subject of a future entry.
Ron got his start with computing way back when he first started programming on his Atari 800 computer back in 1980. He decided right then that he computers woukld be his career. He has been working in the IT field for 18 years. For the last 12 he has been an MCT at New Horizons in New York City where he has taught over 500 classes to more than 3000 students. He is also an MCSE and an MCSD.
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First-looks or clinics?
Is there any real value in taking some kind of first-looks clinic? Will there be stuff in it that can't be found at product demo a trade show conference?
Also, Microsoft is talking about its new generation of certifications. What is your recommendations between "technology specialist" "IT Professional" or "Professional Developer"?
Re: First-looks or clinics?
I think the value of a first look clinic is very dependent on the presenter (shocking that I think the trainer is important, I know). The depth of their knowledge and their willingness to go down the path that YOU are interested in will decide how useful it ends up being. In a trade show/conference, your presenter may not have the time available to spend with your concerns/questions but in the potentially longer and more personal setting of a clinic there is a better chance of that.
As to the certifications...I do like that we now have the option of avoiding the "monolithic" MCSD or MCSE like certs. I found that, especially among developers, many people aren't concerned with all of the exams they would need. For example, you may be a web developer but not an enterprise solution developer. You might do lots of Windows programming but never look at a website. For them, to go through the whole track was a waste of effort in their minds. Now you can cherry pick what you want or need for your career.
Which do I think you should choose is kind of irrelevant because you usually have to be a Technology Specialist before you can become one of the "professionals". Do you need to go for the higher level cert? I don't think it is a requirement but that one additional exam could be what distinguishes you from the next person.
I hope that answers your question.