MCAD and MCSD are you?

Hey all,

Ive just recently registered with Hands On IT Training to go through the MCSD in Visual Basic.Net(get MCAD on the way). I was just wondering who all on here has gotten their certs if anyone had dealt with them or if anyone had any good or bad ideas to ensure that im ready. also i thought i should post a link to this article http://www.channelminds.com/article.php3?id_article=866

With money like ---^ that being thrown in our direction if you haven't already taken these exams you should seriously look in this direction.

Just trying to find the time for MCAD

ditto...it's tough with so many irons in the fire.

A few of us at work started talking about it since your post and all, including myself, think its a great step forward. Potential employers fall over themselves for these certificates.

However, if we want to learn it during an evening the nearest IT centre, or Uni (College) that holds it is 30 miles away. If we want to do it online then the cost runs to £1100 excluding exam fees.

But I do want to participate in getting this, it can only strengthen yourself in the future.

Microsoft Developers in.net are the most sought after employess on the IT market. .. And people like us .. that have actually got on the job experience in the field put ourseleves in an extremely good position. I have talked to four different comapanies that handle this and basically they are telling me b/c of this i will be placing myself on a "Most Wanted" list. A certified person with real time experience is much more likely to be hired at a senior level or just get hired on "their terms."

I think that anyone going for their MCAD or thinking about it should make that step but It is essentially only two more core exams to become MCSD certified. MCSD Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer is the Premiere .net certification. This would certify you to analyze / design / develop / implement / maintain web and windows based applications utilizing .net,xml,sql 2000 and so on. (not to mention how cool would it be to get contracted out by a corporation to come in to develop and deploy cost cutting/time saving apps and platform solutions)

I know the cost is up there for these classes (the lowest ive found in my area is a 3 week MCSD program for $4485) but this amount in comparison to your first years salary increase is insignificant. Also most of these places expected my company to sponsor me so its probably a good idea to talk to bosses if you're not going free lance at the moment.

Any way I think that of all the forums im registered on, this is the best community and highest intelligence levels ive dealt with and I would really like to see some of those familiar signatures ending with MCP,MCAD,MCSD.