Best Overall Certification Right Now

Question

Best Overall Certification Right Now

kevin.wohlwend

SSC Enthusiast

Points: 109
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January 20, 2010 at 2:12 pm

#141829

Currently I've been working as a SQL Developer/ Running some test sql servers for the past year. I am looking to move up the ladder. While I know this question has probably been asked before -- it just doesn't seem like something that has been discussed lately. My question is simply, what is the most marketable certification to add a resume right now?
Thanks,
Kevin

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 23 total)

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Dugi SSCoach Points: 17998 More actions · Answer 1

... do you think the certification as leader ?!?

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kevin.wohlwend SSC Enthusiast Points: 109 More actions · Answer 2

Not sure what your asking there Dugi. To clarify I am curious which MS certifications have the most value right now.

Ron McCullough SSC Guru Points: 63877 More actions · Answer 3

Right now with the employment market as it is ..what is most important is EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE. Many firms I am aware of, treat MS certification as oh well, you can read a book ... good for you ... then ask, what on the job experience do you have .

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Ron

Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

Dugi SSCoach Points: 17998 More actions · Answer 4

kevin.wohlwend (1/20/2010)
Not sure what your asking there Dugi. To clarify I am curious which MS certifications have the most value right now.

Ok, if you are interesting about SQL Server Certification sure that they are MCITPs series for DBA and DBD and BI. But above all you need experience like bitbucket said, if you have valuable experience that you can describe it in your resume, the certifications will be piece of cake.

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004403 More actions · Answer 5

kevin.wohlwend (1/20/2010)
Not sure what your asking there Dugi. To clarify I am curious which MS certifications have the most value right now.

I've interviewed many people for SQL Developer, DBA, and Web Developer "with a strong knowledge of SQL". Not once have I hired someone simply because of a certification and not once have I turned someone away simply because of the lack of certifications.

As Ron and the others have stated, experience is the key for the most part. The exception to that rule is someone who has practiced and practiced and practiced even though they may not have any on-the-job experience.

To summarize, MS certifications mean nothing to me when I'm hiring or able to select someone from a group of folks for some "extreme programming" efforts. I'd rather have someone tell me that they've succesfully done every example in certain books. To give everyone the same fair chance, I also give a couple of simple problems to do with access to the Developer's Edition, Books Online, and whatever they can scare up on the web. They can also use a key fob library of code if they have such a thing (I do).

However, some folks do value certs... I'd suggest the relatively new "master DBA" cert. I've forgotten exactly what's it's called but it's similar to what I've just called it.

Heh... rumor has it that even that monster cert still doesn't teach what an experienced or very well practiced person simply takes for granted in the "black arts" of T-SQL.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 6

I have to agree, experience is more important. I have been working with SQL Server for over 12 years, no certs. I'll also agree that you have to practice a lot. I have learned it is important to devote time off hours to keep my skills current. this means investing in some of the tools I use on a day to da basis. Luckily, SQL Server Developers Edition is quite afforfable at a street price of $50.00 USD. Look around and you can find it for less.

Also, I have learned much in the few years I have been active on SSC. You will find quite few people here that are more than willing to help mentor those who want to learn.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 7

Jeff Moden (1/20/2010)
I'd suggest the relatively new "master DBA" cert. I've forgotten exactly what's it's called but it's similar to what I've just called it.

Microsoft Certified Master

$18,000 fees

3 weeks training, labwork, examinations and assessments in Redmond

Almost all other SQL 2008 certs required as a pre-req

It's not a general cert for the masses.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Jack Corbett SSC Guru Points: 184394 More actions · Answer 8

As has been said, certifications without experience are pretty useless. I just booked my first certification test 70-432 to work toward the MCITP - DBA certification, but I'm getting the cert in what I currently do and have been doing for several years. Mainly because I know there are areas I am weak in and this will force me to improve in those areas.

If I were looking at certification as something that will make me more marketable I'd go with the BI one as that is the "hot" specialty right now.

Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
Check out these links on how to get faster and more accurate answers:
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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004403 More actions · Answer 9

GilaMonster (1/21/2010)
Jeff Moden (1/20/2010)
I'd suggest the relatively new "master DBA" cert. I've forgotten exactly what's it's called but it's similar to what I've just called it.
Microsoft Certified Master
$18,000 fees
3 weeks training, labwork, examinations and assessments in Redmond
Almost all other SQL 2008 certs required as a pre-req
It's not a general cert for the masses.

Heh... wow! You can get a degree for less. :hehe:

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 10

Jeff Moden (1/21/2010)
GilaMonster (1/21/2010)
Jeff Moden (1/20/2010)
I'd suggest the relatively new "master DBA" cert. I've forgotten exactly what's it's called but it's similar to what I've just called it.
Microsoft Certified Master
$18,000 fees
3 weeks training, labwork, examinations and assessments in Redmond
Almost all other SQL 2008 certs required as a pre-req
It's not a general cert for the masses.
Heh... wow! You can get a degree for less. :hehe:

Depends on the degree and the college or university. My middle daughter wants to study Chemical Engineering at MIT. How far is 18,000 going to go there?

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004403 More actions · Answer 11

Lynn Pettis (1/21/2010)
Depends on the degree and the college or university. My middle daughter wants to study Chemical Engineering at MIT. How far is 18,000 going to go there?

BWAA-HAA!! "It Depends". 😀

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 12

Community college and clep your way through most of the credits - could get a lot of degree for that:-D

MIT - you might get a few semesters.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

WayneS SSC Guru Points: 95460 More actions · Answer 13

Lynn Pettis (1/20/2010)
You will find quite few people here that are more than willing to help mentor those who want to learn.

Lynn, Jeff, Gail, Gus, Jason, Lutz, Paul, Barry... yep, even if they don't know that they are mentoring, they are!

Wayne
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes

If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!

Links:
For better assistance in answering your questions
Performance Problems
Common date/time routines
Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 14

Jeff Moden (1/20/2010)
... I also give a couple of simple problems to do with access to the Developer's Edition, Books Online, and whatever they can scare up on the web. They can also use a key fob library of code if they have such a thing (I do).

I like the idea of sitting them down to a perform some tasks.

If my Key Fob were several TB, would you still permit it?:-D

Seriously, though - I don't usually leave home without my Key Fob (usb key chain). It is nice to have scripts handy.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events