2 Comments on "How can I go about my MCSD certification? I need free ebooks and a friend that can help?"
kj said on Sep 18th, 2009 at 9:07 AM:
Why do you want to be MCSD certified? Unless your current company is going to pay you more when you are certified, I would not recomend it. Firstly, it is very expensive and time consuming (not to mention difficult). Second, just because you are certified, does not mean that you will find a job. I know many people who went through certification thinking that every company around would want to pay them big bucks and it just doesn’t happen. I would say to first, get a degree in Computer Science or IT, then, only go through certification if you can get someone to pay for it.
blue_prince_of_dallas said on Sep 19th, 2009 at 8:56 PM:
I have passed MCSD certification 3 times: In 1997, 1999, and 2006. The last time I took the exams in .NET because I want to get more job opportunities in .NET. I’ve done a lot of VB6 and ASP, but have little .NET experience so I believe this will help me to get jobs in .NET.
It took me about 6 months to study and pass. If you can do it in 2 months while working a full time job I think you are quite exceptional. I passed using only self-study. I used the Exam Cram books and practiced with VB. NET Express which is free. I’m currently retaking a couple of the exams in C# because I want to get work in that language, too.
Getting certified is not an automatic free pass to good jobs; I also have 10 years programming experience. But it doesn’t hurt, either. I think it can be a big plus in some situations, but it does cost about $1000 with exam fees and books; more if you take classroom courses.
Why do you want to be MCSD certified? Unless your current company is going to pay you more when you are certified, I would not recomend it. Firstly, it is very expensive and time consuming (not to mention difficult). Second, just because you are certified, does not mean that you will find a job. I know many people who went through certification thinking that every company around would want to pay them big bucks and it just doesn’t happen. I would say to first, get a degree in Computer Science or IT, then, only go through certification if you can get someone to pay for it.
I have passed MCSD certification 3 times: In 1997, 1999, and 2006. The last time I took the exams in .NET because I want to get more job opportunities in .NET. I’ve done a lot of VB6 and ASP, but have little .NET experience so I believe this will help me to get jobs in .NET.
It took me about 6 months to study and pass. If you can do it in 2 months while working a full time job I think you are quite exceptional. I passed using only self-study. I used the Exam Cram books and practiced with VB. NET Express which is free. I’m currently retaking a couple of the exams in C# because I want to get work in that language, too.
Getting certified is not an automatic free pass to good jobs; I also have 10 years programming experience. But it doesn’t hurt, either. I think it can be a big plus in some situations, but it does cost about $1000 with exam fees and books; more if you take classroom courses.