A few months ago I was part of a Twitter debate over certifications (ie: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional MCITP), or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)) I argued that these Certifications were extremely valuable to an individual starting out or right out of college, but someone with 10 plus years should not have to get the cert. I am not going to retracted that statement, but I am going to start studying for my Certification. I broke down and purchased the MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft® .NET Framework Application Development Foundation, Second edition. Many of the items are refreshers and they should be. By the end of this year I’ll have purchased the second book and hopefully have past my first test – I don’t do well on tests, never have.
So why the change in heart. As I stated earlier, I don’t believe that you need that certification if you have 10 plus years in development – when it come to the work environment. Now; I also believe that it adds some creditability to you as a presenter. I am wanting to to get out into the community more and speak about the more advanced aspects of the tool/s I use. If I am going to a new User Group, they have no idea who I am and these certificates may give they a better feeling that I might know a little something.

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