MCSE for SQL Server

I have to be honest I gave up getting certified before I joined Microsoft mainly because the exams didn’t keep up with the release of SQL Server specifically the Business intelligence exams. I then had the same problem as an evangelist I was working on the next release of the SQL or Windows Server.

However that’s changed there are already exams out for SQL Server 2012 and also MCSE is back not just for Server and Desktop but also for the wider private cloud and for SQL Server.  These exams are hard and you’ll need to take five of them to get the MCSE badge. Also there are tow MCSE qualifications relevant to SQL Server; data platform and  business intelligence which I also wish had existed back in the day.

Unlike some simpler certifications, Microsoft don’t insist you take a course and then get a simple test out at the end of it – how you get up to speed is up to you and we all learn differently so there is no right answer here.  This should see an end to the guy who has the certification but can’t really use the relevant technology in the real world.  Please come back to me on that only if you have taken one of these new exams yourself.

So if they are hard why bother? You wouldn’t let anyone service the brakes on your car, or fix the electrics in your home and so why shouldn’t we as profession be asked to be competent at what we do as well.

Some employers don’t like to pay for training as they might not see the value or be worried that you will leave as soon as you’re qualified, but training and exams are free in my role, and that’s a huge incentive to stay.  If you are a contractor retraining should get you better day rates and given that SQL Server 2012 is just you would have a definite edge. 

Indeed there are loads of DBAs out there who may still not even know what is in SQL Server 2012, so I have been asked by Global Knowledge to do a couple of overview webinars on what is new .  So if you have missed me at SQL BITS, SQL Relay then please register on 12th September from 13:00 – 14:00  for an hour’s overview of the database enhancements and/or  register for the session on  10th October 13:00-14:00 if your focus is business intelligence.

Comments

• Anonymous
  August 31, 2012
  If the SQL Server 2012 certification exams are as challenging as the Server 2012 MCSE BETA tests I sat recently, then the future is rosy for Microsoft Certification - they are not easy and they are definitely not for the faint hearted. Study hard - use the products in a real world scenario and you should do just fine.

• Anonymous
  August 31, 2012
  Ok.

• Anonymous
  August 31, 2012
  Yeah, getting MCSE is quite challenging and more rewarding

• Anonymous
  September 04, 2012
  I did my MCSE a long time ago when it was easier, but since then I've been involved in doing other exams. Although there are some companies that will be happy to ensure that their staff stay at the top of their game by ensuring they get relevant training, there are a lot more organisations that will not pay for this; and in some cases, they won't even let staff take time off to do the necessary tests. I started making use of the MVA (www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/Home.aspx); not perfect but a good resource. However, my current employer has outsourced a number of services and MVA is now on the blocked list. Not even allowed to question the policy. Personally, I am more than willing to do the studying in my own time (I have been doing this for the last 10 years) as I believe very strongly that it is in my own interest.

• Anonymous
  September 06, 2012
  It aint the certs you hold, it's what you do with the knowledge.

• Anonymous
  September 13, 2012
  I knew someone whos father was not allowed to join the IEEE because he had no degree, but that person had and was always asking his fathers advice about IEEE related things as his father was a guru at such.

• Anonymous
  January 28, 2013
  I would to take the challenges of this new tests in upcoming next two months but i am really in Short of resources for preparing for this exams.  Can you share links of some resources available for this exams ? thanks Shihab

• Anonymous
  January 31, 2013
  My strategy for any of these exams would be to go to MS learning and check out what is covered off in each exam.  Then you can look at the free Microsoft Virtual Academy to start learning about the features but you will also need to have somewhere to try out the concepts and familiarise yourself with the features so you'll need an eval copy of SQL Server Enterprise.  Books online will help you get deeper into things you don't understand.  Finally if your company will pay there are excellent courses to compliment each exam you want to take. Andrew