I’m now an MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate)

Find the MTA certification path that meets your needs 

A few minutes ago I rocked over to the ultra high tech Microsoft Learning centre and took a few exams, just for some Friday fun…I might need help!  I’ve always been a big fan of certification (when it’s done right).  I started on the road to MCSE in NT4 back in the day, completed that, upgraded to 2000 and have kept things going since then.  There have been lots of changes to the programme though over the past decade (GULP!) and we now have a set of exams designed for the new crop of IT Professional entering the business out of the academic world.  The MTA.

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification helps schools teach and validate fundamental technology knowledge [and] provides students with a foundation for their careers

That’s a pretty darn important thing in the ultra competitive market and I thought it was a great idea when I was at Uni to do my MCSE to get me real world experience – I then rocked into a better job for more money than most of my peers.  Nice.

What I can say having just taken the exams is that they’re pitched at about the right level, they aren’t super deep dive exams that require the depth of experience of a seasoned IT Professional but they are exams that let you demonstrate to an employer that you’ve got more of a grasp of Networking fundamentals and Security fundamentals than you might just get by attending some lectures.  The Windows Server 2008 exam was actually quite tricky, offering up some more complicated Active Directory Directory Services questions that you wouldn’t be able to answer without some real world experience.  To my mind that would make it a perfect exam to round out an industrial placement or internship year.

If you’re an employer looking at a candidate with these exams you can rest assured that your not just getting someone who’s sat through some lessons.

I took:

  • Networking Fundamentals: Exam 98-366
  • Security Fundamentals: Exam 98-367
  • Windows Server Administration Fundamentals: Exam 98-36

But there are developer VB.net and C# focused exams too to prove your skills.

As a result I can now add this logo to my business cards and blog and I’ve got a greater chance of standing out.

If you want more info on the MTA program and how it builds into the MCTS exams then check out the Microsoft Learning website