Why I am Pursuing the VCDX

Date: Oct 25, 2013

Rebecca Fitzhugh, VMware Certified Instructor (VCI) and consultant, explains her personal and professional motivations to pursue the VMware's VCDX certification.

How often does one have the chance to join an elite group of 119 members worldwide? As of the writing of this article, that is exclusively how exclusive the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is. Upon completion of both of my VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) exams for Data Center Virtualization, I figured why not? I decided that I did not want to stop there and have decided to go for it all.

In discussing this undertaking with a few friends that are familiar with the process, I have been asked multiple times why I would ever take on a commitment for such a large project. I expect that I will continually be asked this question until I am finally scheduled for a VCDX defense and am successful. Therefore, the following are the reasons I am pursuing the VCDX:

Validation that I can create and defend a solid VMware design
Prove that I am more than just a VMware administrator
Sharpen my skill set
Increased market value as an independent consultant

I am not doing this just show off the VCDX title; that misses the point of the certification. I have been the consulting architect for multiple VMware deployments, but none of these designs have been validated by VMware or by a VCDX. I want to undergo this rigorous process to validate that I can create and defend solid design decisions against a panel of VCDXs. I know that I can create and implement large customer designs, but now the time has come to acquire the certification that backs up this skill. I consistently pursue VMware consulting opportunities for substantive and complex projects. Possessing a VCDX certification and the experience of going through the defense panel under my belt can only benefit me in these situations.

I am still a long way away from being ready to defend. I am still in the process of adding the finishing touches and polishing my design. VMware is an innovator and the company is going to be around for a long time; I want to prove that I have earned the privilege to be considered as one of the best of the best.