Here’s the basic concept:

1. Enroll in any class listed in this table on the Microsoft Learning Special Offers page (Classroom training tab; no links are live on this screencap though you’ll find them active on the source page, with more coming soon in addition).

Four courses for now, 8 more to come

2. After clicking Enroll, enter the product name for your platform of choice, then scan the search results for a graphic that reads “GET SOFTWARE with Career Packages.” These courses will include free software along with the standard class materials.

This is the logo to look for

You may have to extend your geographical range to find such offerings right now (for example, I found none in Austin, TX, which is currently the 16th largest city in the US; the only such courses I could find were in the Dallas and Houston metro areas). Be prepared to pay for this privilege, too: the sticker price for most such courses runs around $450 or better per classroom day. But if you qualify for some kind of financial assistance or tolerable financing, it might still be worth attending one of these three to five day sessions, where you’ll get initial hands-on and strong exposure, and come away with tools and licenses you can use to equip a home lab.

One more thing: the links from the MS search function to the vendor’s Web sites aren’t direct nor terribly seamless. Be sure to write down the course number for which you want the Career Package deal. That proved to be the best way to get to the Learning Partner sign-up and cost information pages, once I followed the “Register for this class” link on any specific listing item.

In this traditionally quiet time of year, it’s always a good time to think about where you are in your career and job development process right now, and where you’d like to be. As you’re giving thanks for such blessings as 2009 has seen fit to deliver, it’s also time to start thinking about what’s coming in 2010, and to do what you can to make sure you get the goodies and rewards to which you are so richly entitled, as you plot our your career plans and progress in the months and year ahead.

I’m going to be blogging about a number of topics traditional for this sometimes reflective time of year, as opportunities to think things over and to try to figure out how best to steer your course in the upcoming year will undoubtedtly present themselves. If anybody has anything they’d like to add or request, please post a comment to this blog. Otherwise, I’ll be chewing on and writing about the following subjects:

• Career development through technical training and coursework
• Pros and cons of IT certification
• A call to think about and improve your soft skills
• Is “Back to school” for a(nother) degree a good plan for you?
• Project and people management open doors to career advancement

In the meantime, I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving, and enjoy your time away from the usual grind. My very best wishes for a great holiday, from me and my family to you and yours.

Best,
–Ed Tittel–

It’s also true that community colleges are the backbone of our post-secondary educational system here in North America. In the aggregate these insitutions serve more students than four-year and graduate institutions, and they also provide much of the training and education to help career changers (be that voluntary, or involuntary) gear up for their latest chosen job roles or specialties.

What I found interesting about the story is that it recounts that many students simply can’t (or choose not to) study full-time to earn their Associate’s degrees, and programs designed to be completed in two to two-and-a-half years, often take five or more years to complete. Furthermore, statistical analysis of the number of students who sign up for classes within some kind of degree plan (ignoring those just pursuing continuing education or perhaps involved in specific shorter job-training programs) shows that somewhat under half of those students actually complete their degrees and matriculate.

I understand and sympathize with busy adult learners who often have to juggle family and work responsibilities along with school, and can easily image why it’s necessary to stretch a shorter program out over a longer period of time. But folks: if you’re going to start down this path, you owe it to yourself to walk it all the way down to the end, so that you’ll have something substantial to show for the time, effort, and money you spend on school. This goes double, or better, if you or your family have to borrow money to finance this education. Nobody can make you graduate, but you can do it if you keep at it, and force yourself to finish up.

Even then, it’s best to look at the AA or AS degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s of some kind, so you’ll want to keep your grades up, and get some strong recommendations to see you into your next step on the higher education trail. Keep at it, keep it up, and get yourself through. Best of luck (and results) to those in the process; keep this in the forefront of your mind if community college is an option you’re pondering — for yourself, or somebody you care about (or for).

Here’s what you’ll find covered at the MS learning portal under this rubric:

MS lays out these paths in a diagram labeled Chart Your Career

Here’s a little more information about each of those developer roles (the descriptions in the bulleted list are quoted verbatim from Rosen’s blog):

• Windows Developer: As a Windows developer, the role is clear: code it out the door. Adapting to shifting user needs and business requirements, a Windows Developer must connect systems quickly and efficiently with secure desktop applications. Coding skill is a given;  typically work within an integrated development environment that helps track bugs, optimize code for the Windows operating system, and work collaboratively with other developers. [Product Focus: Visual Studio]
• Web Developer:  A web developer is a technical expert in the dynamic web programming tools and languages that fuel the interactive web. They can work solo or as part of an organization’s multidisciplinary team to build and integrate interactive web sites, web applications, and web services for both intranet and Internet uses. Their role is to make it work, which means coding and testing on various browsers but can also include architecting web sites, designing data-driven applications, and finding efficient client-server solutions. [Product Focus: Visual Studio]
• Database Developer: A database developer designs, develops, and implements complex database systems, programs, and applications.  Specialties may be writing queries and stored procedures, using data modeling tools, designing and optimizing databases, or implementing at the physical level, but must have a thorough understanding of relational databases. Other responsibilities may include supporting and securing critical information systems and providing reliable data that can be used in business-specific software solutions. [Product Focus: SQL Server]
• Business Intelligence Developer: A business intelligence (BI) developer brings crucial analytics to business solutions and organizations. Accurate business intelligence often equals competitive advantage in the market, and that makes this role extremely important. Expertise in relational and multidimensional database schemas is a must. B.I. Developers solve real-world business problems by designing and building OLAP (online analytical processing) cubes, applying data mining algorithms, writing queries, and designing reports. Responsibilities range from aggregating data from multiple sources in an efficient data warehouse to designing enterprise-level solutions for very large multidimensional databases. [Product Focus: SQL Server]
• Enterprise Application Developer Description: As an enterprise application developer, responsibilities can include designing, planning, evaluating, and developing n-tier solutions that target both web and client user experiences. Enterprise Application Developers provide technical vision that drives the development of multiple-user line-of-business applications and their underlying databases. These are systems expert who relies on the Microsoft .NET Framework, typically working on a team in a medium or large development environment to design and deliver mission-critical business systems—and then keep them running. [Product Focus: Visual Studio & .NET Framework]

Those aspiring and current IT professionals thinking about development jobs could do worse than to dig a little deeper here. Visual Studio (and the MS development environment in general) remains one of the major pathways to gainful employment as a software developer

For many newbie presenters, their focus is entirely on the material. Do they know their stuff? Are they familiar enough with what’s on the slides that they can talk about them fluidly and accurately? Have they prepared for questions? Practiced their delivery? and so forth…

What’s missing from this focus, and what Carroll spends much of the coverage in his book on adding to the picture, is the audience to whom the presentation is to be delivered. Although he wraps up his advice and behavior coaching in transpersonal psychology language, his most important points can be summarized as follows:

• Make eye contact with the audience. People need to feel like you’re interested in and talking to them, not to an empty room.
• Don’t talk all the time, with no breaks. People need time to digest what you’re telling them, and to think about what you’re trying to convey.
• Check the audience members’ facial expressions and body language to see how you’re doing: are they bored? confused? Do they “get” what you’re talking about? Do you see signs of interest?
• Interact with the audience: Get to know peoples’ names, then use them. Ask questions. Solicit input. Provoke opinions and information sharing from the audience, particularly if they’ve either failed or succeeded in trying to address issues, develop solutions, or implement systems that you are trying to explore and explain.

I could go on and on, and if you find this stuff interesting, you should definitely check out this book, too. But the key is to understand ultimately that it’s not what you know, or how much ground you can cover, that really counts when you give a technical (or other) presentation. What really counts is what you can give to your attendees, and what they can take away with them when the presentation is over. If you remember that basic principle, and increase your efforts to get your messages across, you will improve your presentation skills immediately.

The base level MS requirements are:

• 70-680 TS: Windows 7, Configuring
• 70-685 Pro: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician

The HDI exams are:

• HDI Support Center Analyst (HDI-SCA)
• HSI Desktop Support Technician (HDI-DST)

Although other credentials (such as MCSA and MCSA) have permitted CompTIA certifications to be applied for credit in lieu of other MCP exams, this is the first time that Microsoft has required a third-party certification as part and parcel of earning an MS credential. It should be interesting to see how this turns out. For more information about applying the HDI exam for credit toward the MCITP: EDST7 credential, check out this Microsoft Certification page on the HDI site.

Beyond all the things that she mentions: getting the word out, displaying a framed certificate, asking for a raise or looking for a new position, and so forth, there is one more thing I’d like to encourage those preparing to earn a new credential, or those who’ve just passed the bar to same, to consider: how to describe their newly- or soon-to-be-earned cert in a variety of situations:

• Quick hit: In sales lingo an “elevator pitch” is a very brief but compelling version of your story that you can deliver in 30 seconds or less — the time it takes to ride an elevator in a sizable office building. Using the popular CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) cert as an example that might go something like: “As a CISSP, I’m qualified to design, review, and oversee implementation of corporate or organizational security policies, including physical security, software security, and Internet security. I can also work with HR and training organizations to make sure employees understand the need for and value of information security.”
• Cover letter/resume copy: This usually boils down to a paragraph that explains what the certification covers and why it has value. For the CISSP that could be expressed as: “The CISSP is built around a common body of knowledge that covers access controls, communications and network security, security management, security for software and systems development, cryptography and related encryption techniques, security architecture and models, operations security, business continuity and disaster recovery planning, security-related rules and regulations, ethics, and investigations, and physical security. This credential qualifies its holders to help research, forumulate, implement, and audit security policy for an entire organization or company, and to make sure that policy as stated and as implemented agree substantially with one another.”
• Interview/promotion/raise discussions: Whereas the other items are amenable to quick, accurate examples, this topic should involve at least 5-10 minutes of conversation, so I can go only into the broad outlines of what goes into such a conversation. This is where you have to explain the content of the certification, and justify its value to your interlocutor in terms that demonstrate some kind of value add to his or her organization. Thus, instead of saying: “I know how to select a VPN for remote access that will provide encrypted access to internal information resources and assets,” you might start with such a statement, but then go on to add “This will protect Internet traffic from unauthorized snooping or access, and make sure any private or confidential information that traverses a remote access link remains safe from unwanted disclosure.” You might even want to add some discussion about SOX, HIPAA, or PCI (as relevant) to mention how this protects the organization from potential liability that unauthorized access can incur. Hopefully, you get the idea: tell them what’s in it for them, if they choose to make use of your cert-related skills and knowledge. If you do a good job, they’ll be eager to jump at this opportunity.

Overall, the idea is to sell yourself while also explaining and exploring the value of your certification and the knowledge, skills, and experience it’s led you to develop and acquire. Good luck with your new or upcoming credentials: take this approach to obtain the best return on your investment in earning it!

I was reminded of this when visiting over the weekend, as I saw a posting from Oracle learning staff Harold Green entilted “Oracle Certification and the Hands-On Course Requirement…” In addition to explaining how and why Oracle adopted the position that some classroom training had to be mandatory for their database administrator and developer related certifications, Green also raises some interesting points about the values and virtues of requiring some training along the way to a professional certification of some kind. Here’s a direct quote “In an era where complaints that ‘paper certifications’ were devaluing some certification programs’ offerings, Oracle made the tough decision in 2002 that mandatory training would be required for most tracks. All new entrants after November 2002 would be required to attend an Oracle course, interact with an Oracle trainer, and participate in the in-class labs.” They’ve stuck firmly to this position ever since.

I can see some pros and cons for this approach. Certainly, the pros for the certifying body are many: some assurance of attendance in commercial training, a chance to expose candidates to qualified instructors and to observe their skills and abilities first hand, increased assurance that candidates get exposed to important tools, techniques, and skills development, and more. But on the students’ side, those pros are offset by the often high cost of training involved, though most people who attend such training do report that it has at least some value, and many rank it as a positive learning experience.

My take on the Oracle program, and many others like it, would be that the value could be greatly enhanced if they would reserve a number of free seats in each class and offer competitive scholarships to those who can demonstrate a real need for financial support. My biggest issue with the mandatory training approach is not that it requires attendees to pay for training, but rather, that it blocks those who would like to attend but who can’t afford to cover the costs involved.

What do you think of this situation? Post a comment here to share your opinions and outlook on this sometimes thorny subject.

Thanks,

–Ed–

Flavio B, Brazil

Flavio B Brazil
1. What do you currently do for a living?
   I work for a Oil & gas company administering infrastructure system (full-time job) and teaching MOC classes (part-time job in MS Official Curriculum courses).

2. Please describe your educational background.
   I have an incomplete [Bachelor's] degree in statistics.

3. What kinds of certifications do you currently hold, if any?
   I have MCSE for NT 4, Windows 2000, 2003 and [MCITP] Server/Enterprise Admin 2008.

4. How has earning a certification helped advance your career?
   Besides the fact that my salary had a big raise since the beginning, now I’m more prepared, have more knowledge, and I have more skills than ever.

5. What exam do you plan to use the MCP voucher for?
   I achieved all certifications I had planned for 2009 and have no immediate plans, but probably will use the voucher for some exam on Windows 7 technologies so I can keep updated on the newer technologies.

6. What kind of advice do you have for your peers and colleagues about earning a certification?
   Certification is good, but it’s not all you have to do. A good college is VERY important. Good relationships with other people are important, too. Among other things I recommend studying ITIL/Cobit and other tecnologies like Linux.
    a) How about finding a job?
    Even with good skills, finding a job in my country is very difficult. As systems became more stable, less Admins are needed to maintain those that companies are running. So, layoffs sometimes occur and the remaining admins have to deal with the same systems with less resources.
    b) What about improving your career prospects or outlook?
    Improving my career now depends on various internal projects at my company. One of the projects is a Novell Netware migration in which directory [services] and files must be migrated to a new Windows 2008 environment. After that, new projects will arise.

This concludes my coverage of our recent free MCP voucher contest. I hope you have learned as much from your peers and colleagues as I have, and gotten an extra erg of inspiration to help you pursue your own career development goals!

1. What do you currently do for a living?

I am a Systems Engineer and work with databases – primarily SQL Server but some Oracle. I started on SQL Server version 6.5 and have tested on all versions since then. This has been my work for the last ten years. Prior to that I was a Network Administrator for three years and moved into SQL Server to gain a specialization. I have also taught Microsoft technical courses as an MCT on a freelance, part-time basis.

2. Please describe your educational background.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan in 1982. I earned a Master of Information Technology degree from Virginia Tech in 2007.

3. What kinds of certifications do you currently hold, if any?

MCTS: SharePoint Services 3.0
MCITP: SQL Server 2008
MCITP: SQL Server 2005
MCDBA: SQL Server 2000
MCSE
MCP+I
MCT (former)
CTT+
A+
CCNA

4. How has earning a certification helped advance your career?

It gave me credibility when I was making a career change from Accounting  to Information Technology. I keep taking exams and gaining new certifications because in this industry, if you’re not advancing, you’re falling behind. I don’t want to become obsolete.

5. What exam do you plan to use the MCP voucher for?

SharePoint Server (MOSS) exam 70-630

6. What kind of advice do you have for your peers and colleagues about earning a certification?

Look at what’s in demand and what’s up and coming. Get involved with local user groups for networking purposes and to help keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in your community.

John C. is the next-to-last of the individuals I’ll be profiling for our recent contest. Our last winner, Flavio B from Brazil, will be featured in my next blog on Friday.