TEN MOST VALUABLE IT CERTIFICATIONS OF 2012

According to the recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate is still over 8%. These people are our neighbors, our friends, and our family; representing each demographic in terms of age, education and talent. There is probably only one thing that unites them all: they do not possess one of the 10 most sought after certifications in the Information Technology (IT) job market.

The ten most critical certifications that would assure Americans jobs and advancement in the IT marketplace are:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) manages projects to a successful conclusion, on-time, on-budget, and using the resources allocated.
2. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications validate your skills in deploying, designing, and maintaining Microsoft technology such as Windows, SQL, SharePoint and Exchange.
3. CompTIA’s A+ certification indicates competency to install networks, conduct preventative maintenance, secure them and troubleshoot them.
4. Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA) installs, configures, runs and troubleshoots medium-sized routed and switched networks.
5. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) cortication validate your skills on implementing and troubleshooting a particular Microsoft Server technology, such as Windows, SQL, SharePoint and Exchange.
6. CompTIA’s Network+ certification demonstrates competency to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install and configure basic network infrastructures.
7. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) validates the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions.
8. NetApp Certified Data Management Administrator (NCDA) have proven skills in performing in-depth support, administrative functions, and performance management for NetApp storage appliances running the Data ONTAP® operating system in NFS and Windows® (CIFS) multiprotocol environments.
9. IT Infrastructure Library certification (ITIL) demonstrates the expertise of professionals in tech management with a three tiered program of basic, intermediate and advanced certification.
10. CompTIA’s Security+ certification demonstrates knowledge of system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security.

Although the above certifications may not guarantee you a job (extenuating circumstances must be taken into account), they certainly improve your chances of gaining meaningful and stable employment.

Sneak Peek: SQL Server 2012 learning products in development!

SQL Server 2012 is coming! Microsoft has already started developing some of the exams, courses, and books that will help our customers to learn SQL Server 2012 and to showcase their new skills. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in the works.

The quick view

Title	Course	Book*	Exam
Querying Microsoft SQL Server	10774	Training Kit	70-461
Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database	10775	Training Kit	70-462
Building Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 2012	10777	Training Kit	70-463
Developing a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database	10776	Exam Reference	70-464
Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012	10778	Exam Reference	70-465
Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012	TBD	Exam Reference	70-466
Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Platform	TBD	Exam Reference	70-467

*There will be several other great SQL Server 2012 books as well, which won’t have corresponding exams and courses. More news on those later.

What’s different about the courses and books this time

• 1:1 mapping between exam, course, and book (no more two-course mapping!)
• An exam preparation book for each exam
• More real-world scenarios and business context

What’s different about the exams and certifications this time

• More community involvement in identifying the skills to be tested (over 300 people participated!)
• Higher expectations of skill level and experience for the successful candidate
• More direct focus on core skills such as querying and on business context
• Recertification required every three years at the Pro level

Wait just a minute. Did you say recertification?

Why yes, I did. In order to ensure that our certifications remain a meaningful and valuable indicator of candidate’s skills, SQL Server 2012 Professional-level certifications will require recertification every three years. Initially, the recertification requirement will be one or two exams. You can find out more by viewing the frequently asked questions about recertification on our web site.

Source: Krista Wall (Microsoft) via Born to Learn Blog!

Now available: Lync Server certifications

Exams 664 and 665 are available in Prometric testing centers! This means that you now can earn the MCTS: Lync Server 2010, Configuration and the MCITP: Lync Server 2010 Administrator certifications. Microsoft Lync Server 2010 is an integral part of the Microsoft "software-plus-services" cloud offering, Microsoft Office 365. Earning a Lync Server 2010 certification will distinguish you as skilled in the Microsoft cutting-edge cloud technologies. You can earn the MCTS by passing 664, or pass both 664 and 665 to earn the MCITP.

Visit the exam’s product pages for a list of the skills measured on each exam:

• 70-664: TS: Lync Server 2010, Configuring

• 70-665: Pro: Lync Server 2010, Administrator

Need to study up a bit? Well, we’re still putting the finishing touches on the instructor-led training. Course 10534A will be available later this month, and Course 10533A will be available in May. Here’s a list of some other resources you can check out in the meantime. Remember that hands-on experience is the best way to build your skills!

• Download Lync Server 2010 trial

• Lync Server Tech Center

• Lync Server 2010 videos

• Lync Server TechNet Library

• Lync Server Cram 4 Exam

Please note, even though you can earn these certifications today, it will be at least another week before you can download the certificate. Microsoft is aware of the issue and are working to resolve it right now.

Now go out there and get certified!

Source: www.borntolearn.mslearn.net

Secure a Second Shot for Your Microsoft Windows 7 Certification Exam

Whether you are just beginning to explore the benefits of Microsoft Certification, or need to pass just one more exam to obtain your Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential, the Second Shot offer (regular exam price plus 15 percent) allows you to retake a Windows 7 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist or Microsoft Certified IT Professional exam if you do not pass it on the first attempt. Register now and receive your Second Shot exam voucher.

Microsoft® BizTalk® Server Subject Matter Experts: Microsoft needs your input!

Are you a BizTalk subject matter expert (SME)? Microsoft is currently working on a refresh of a TS exam for developing business process and integration solutions by using Microsoft® BizTalk® Server 2010 and looking for BizTalk SMEs who would like to volunteer and give them feedback through an online survey. The event will be held from November 16 to December 3, 2010.

If interested, please send an email to mslcd@microsoft.com and Microsoft will contact your directly with more information.

Please updated your SME Profile for Microsoft® BizTalk® Server. If you are an existing member with BizTalk as one of your technical specialties, please logon and add this new selection to your profile.

Not yet a member of our SME community? Come join us at https://connect.microsoft.com/site862 (Windows Live ID account required).

Thank you.