Back in early 2002, my company sponsored a bunch of it's developers to get their MCSDs.  These were the days of VB6 and COM+.  After many evenings at a local college and 4 certification tests - we were MCSDs.  PrimMarily a web developer, I didn't get to put much of the COM+ to use, but the SQL Server 2000 Design & Implementation class proved extremely useful.  With my newly minted MCP & MCSD next to my name, I set out to upgrade my career.  Two of my next three jobs were made possible by interviewers who noted my credentials.  Although the credentials didn't get me the job, they got my resume the leg up it needed to get in the door.  For this, I am always grateful for having done the certification.

Over the following years, I passed the .Net solutions architechture certification but didn't do much after this.  Come 2007, I began wokring with BizTalk Server 2006.  Now anyone who has worked with this product knows it is huge.  There are numerous parts to this technology stack and each more complex than the next.  After some training and a book, we were off developing solutions.  I got the opportunity to attend Teched 2008 Developer in Orlando last year and used some of my down time to pass the Biztalk certification test.  I spent many hours in the lab doing test prep and reviewing the online test guide with some books.  I managed to pass on the first try despite the ridiculous number of social events I felt compelled to attend.  Returning to work I not only had a deeper knowledge for the core BizTalk development I was doing, but I also had a stronger understanding of the entire stack from BAM to BAS but also BRE and a few key points about orchestrations that always eluded me.

I am now sadly looking at my VB6 era MCSD and hoping to upgrade it.  I've used the online planner and have a good feel for what I need to do to reach MCPD - lots more tests.  The study room and being locked away from work at a conference center helps get things moving faster.  So regardless of wether I get to join the Bus, more certifications and visits to MS learning are in my future.  They have proven their worth to me both in job seeking and comprehensive study of the technology.

PS - Anybody reading this who doesn't know about the Get On The Bus Contest - Go here: http://blogs.technet.com/mslcommunity/archive/2009/04/09/another-chance-to-get-on-the-bus-or-fly-directly-to-teched.aspx

Since getting back from TechEd things have been a bit crazy.  The rest of the week there was a blast.  I got to meet many more community members and catch some really interesting presentations.  I am currently fascinated with the SQL Server 2008 Data Mining tools and am in search of a good problem.   I'd like to turn this into a presentation for the local User Group. 

One of the other highlights was using the Certification Testing at the conference.  After sorting out some issues with the name on my certification, I was able to finally get this logo:

That was not a pleasant test.  The tool just has so many facets to it and it's really impossible to have used all of them.  But the test prep senter at the conference and some reading got me a pass on the first try.

The day started out with the key note by Bill Gates.  Very nice speech on the focus of their development efforts for the years to come.  We were also treated to the director's cut of the Bill Gates' Last Day video.

I've made some new friends.

Drank my MSDN Subscription's worht of Beer at Howl at The Moon for Geekfest 2008.  It was a nice time and I got to meet many more of the folks from the Florida .Net Communities. 

I arrived on Monday afternoon at the convention center.   I always forget how incredibly large the facility is.  The first glimpse of the floow was empty but beautiful.  The booths were very well put togeather.

The afternoon was spent at the INETA Community Summit with the Florida Delegation led by Joe Healy (Only half of us could vote).  It was a great discussion on the challenges, successes, tips and more of building a community.  I got some good ideas to bring back to the Space Coast .Net User Group.

After the summit was hotel check-in followed by Party with Palermo at the Glow Lounge.  Ran into a former co-worker who was staying at the same hotel and we got to catch-up over copious servings of beer.

I put a couple of collections on Live Maps to help everyone find the where & when of the after hours events at TechEd 2008 Dev.

• TechEd 2008 Dev Evenings - Monday
• TechEd 2008 Dev Evenings - Tuesday
• TechEd 2008 Dev Evenings - Thursday

I was comparing the list of evening events from the IT Pro week to the Developer's week and I have come to the conclusion - we're boring.  The IT Pro week is booked with evening events all over the place on every night.  It really doesn't matter, I'll be in my room in the evenings studying for certs (cough... not...).

Andrew Connel & Bob Fox kick-off TechEd right with SharePoint by Day and SharePint at Night.

• SharePoint by Day, SharePint by Night @ TechEd North America 2008 Developer
  Monday, June 2, 7p ->? @ BB Kings Orlando (9101 International Drive #2230; Orlando, FL)
• SharePoint by Day, SharePint by Night @ TechEd North America 2008 IT Pro
  Monday, June 9, 7p ->? @ BB Kings Orlando (9101 International Drive #2230; Orlando, FL)

The onslaught of things to in the evening continues (You don't have to be going to TechEd to come to this one!):

I am looking forward to TechEd but am also a little overwhelmed.  I am working up my shcedule with the Schedule Builder and am frankly in awe of the number and variety of sessions.  I want to attend sessions, meet with folks, do labs and even take a cert or two.  How to do all of this and stay sane?

GeekFest 2008 TechEd Edition

Doug Seven & Company (MSFT) are throwing this event at Howl at the Moon.  I haven't been to a Howl at The Moon since the one at Church Street closed.  I am looking forward to getting reaquainted in Geek style.  Hope to see some familiar faces there.