Microsoft Certification Training

[NoStateofMind]

Microsoft is offering a great deal on training. This is a copy paste from another forum. Enjoy!

http://www.microsoft.com/learn...econdshot/default.mspx

Career Assist Package: Register for Second Shot and Get Any E-Learning Collection for only $35 USD

If you learn best independently, Official Microsoft E-Learning courses provide a simple and effective way for you to learn on your own schedule and at your own pace.

Use assessments and an interactive, nonlinear approach to create your own flexible learning experience. Most e-learning courses include hands-on virtual labs. Official Microsoft E-Learning courses are currently available in more than 25 countries/regions. (be sure to check country availability)

Note: This offer applies to IT professional or developer e-learning collection titles only and does not include Microsoft Office or Windows end-user (non-IT) focused collections.

Your Personal E-Learning Promo Code is: SECONDSHOT

An E-Learning Collection (Priced up to $350 USD), is more than just one E-Learning (Usually priced around $40 USD). It is a collection of multiple E-Learnings between 8 and 20 hours of training to help you master a product and get you ready to get certified. Make sure you pick a 'Collection' when you use your promotional code in the Microsoft Learning Catalog. Limit one per customer.

Note: Once activated, your E-Learning Collection is only available for 90 days.

Here is how it works:

* Click on the Microsoft Learning Catalog link above (you should arrive on the E-Learning Page).
* Select the E-Learning Collection you want and add it to your cart.
* Once your done, go to the 'Shopping Cart' and 'Checkout'.
* Type your Promotional Code in the box labeled 'Type the discount code from the voucher and click Apply' space. Click Apply, then Click Checkout.
* Accept the licensing agreement.
* Enter your Credit Card information to our secure payment processing system and purchase your e-learning collection.

Good luck on your exam!
Unlike what the first line of the quote says, it appears that you do not need to register for a Second Shot offer first in order to receive the eLearning discount. More information about the 'Career Assist' program can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mc...t/default.mspx

It may seem as if the coupon-code is for the "Second Shot" offer, as it is aptly named as such, but apparently this code works for the "Career Assist" deal.

Direct link:

http://learning.microsoft.com/...ge=1&search=collection

Personally I chose: https://www.microsoftelearning...px?offerPriceId=138199

 

[wedi42]

You are saving $284.99 on this purchase.

best hot deal savings yet!

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: wedi42

You are saving $284.99 on this purchase.

best hot deal savings yet!

Which did you get?

 

[ibex333]

Do I still have to pay for the actual exam? and how much?

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: ibex333
Do I still have to pay for the actual exam? and how much?

Yes and I think they are around $100 each. You should be able to take them at community and tech colleges.

 

[TallDude]

Wonder if I can get multiple collections at $35 a piece or would I have to register with multiple emails....

 

[CheapFlyer]

I lost my job because of the recession. I know computers very well (on the home user/hardware side), and I would like to get a certification to prove it. I would like to get some sort of job as a technician or as a help desk person. I think the MCSE is supposed to be the first certification you are supposed to get, but I don't see an e-learning version of that. Am I just missing it, or does anyone know of a better entry level certification that I could get with the e-learning promotion?

Thanks for any insight...

 

[ericb]

Originally posted by: CheapFlyer
I lost my job because of the recession. I know computers very well (on the home user/hardware side), and I would like to get a certification to prove it. I would like to get some sort of job as a technician or as a help desk person. I think the MCSE is supposed to be the first certification you are supposed to get, but I don't see an e-learning version of that. Am I just missing it, or does anyone know of a better entry level certification that I could get with the e-learning promotion?

Thanks for any insight...

The MCSE is basically gone now and the Microsoft certs have split down many different paths now. Taking and passing any one MS cert will get you a MCP and you can work towards different levels from that. Any entry level help desk/support position is probably going to want...say a MCP and A+ certification. The old MCSE was geared towards the Network/System Administrator for the entire department, company or multiple divisions and is not geared towards entry level or help desk level positions.

If you want to go towards an administrator type position look for the MCSA but be aware that most companies are going to be looking for a degree, cert and 3-5 years experience for that level. Of course there are always exceptions but they are very rare in this market now especially with IT usually being one of the first to be laid off.

 

[CheapFlyer]

Ericb,

Thanks for the info. I have been reading up on the A+, even though a lot of that is out of date, it's a good starting point. I think my next stop will be the MCDST. I do realize without a degree in IT (I have a BS in another field) I'm not going to be making any kind of decent money. Luckily, the job I got furloughed from will someday call me back. I just want to get started in the computer field and see where it takes me.

Again, thanks for your insight. Anyone other recommendations are welcomed!

 

[Linflas]

Is this dead or is there a trick I am missing to get the Apply button to work?

Nevermind, I figured out that pasting it in was the problem.

 

[Q]

So is this an actual 'important' certification or is it just to help you learn? ie. Do some jobs actually require you to have one?

 

[Diz2K2]

Nice, thanks!

 

[Aztech]

Originally posted by: TallDude
Wonder if I can get multiple collections at $35 a piece or would I have to register with multiple emails....

Bump this for an answer, anyone?

Nevermind, I added a second "collection" to the cart and it went down to $35 as well! Cool, thanks, I may try one or more of these.

 

[Netopia]

Originally posted by: Aztech

Originally posted by: TallDude
Wonder if I can get multiple collections at $35 a piece or would I have to register with multiple emails....

Bump this for an answer, anyone?

Nevermind, I added a second "collection" to the cart and it went down to $35 as well! Cool, thanks, I may try one or more of these.

Interesting, because I read this on the site:

Normally priced up to US$350, these e-learning collections are just US$35 when you register for Second Shot. Limit one per customer.

 

[dbk]

What are the different levels of certification? Basic -> Intermediate -> Advanced?

 

[Thetech]

I got two courses at $35 a piece. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!
I'd also like to know how the "levels" of certification are tiered?

 

[NYHoustonman]

Thanks OP, ordered the same one as you.

Great timing for me, spring break starts next week, so I'll have free time .

 

[ericlp]

I wonder if they are doing this because of Win 7 coming in and vista going out?

 

[Thetech]

Originally posted by: ericlp
I wonder if they are doing this because of Win 7 coming in and vista going out?

Maybe so, but DUDE! who cares? Get a cert and then just take 1 test to upgrade your cert to the current one. Easy.

 

[LumbergTech]

is this worthwhile? at least somewhat?

 

[LumbergTech]

sorry, mispost

 

[XiZiT]

One of the best HOT DEALS ever for IT folks...
Personally I chose this Collection 2278 to go for my 70-293 (MCP)
"You are saving $316.99 on this purchase."
However, I am having trouble checking out. After applying coupon code SECONDSHOT and agreeing to terms I am unable to enter my credit card information and instead presented with an error message. Anyone else?

 

[kimchee411]

Originally posted by: CheapFlyer
Ericb,

Thanks for the info. I have been reading up on the A+, even though a lot of that is out of date, it's a good starting point. I think my next stop will be the MCDST. I do realize without a degree in IT (I have a BS in another field) I'm not going to be making any kind of decent money. Luckily, the job I got furloughed from will someday call me back. I just want to get started in the computer field and see where it takes me.

Again, thanks for your insight. Anyone other recommendations are welcomed!

You're on the right track with A+ and MCDST for a Helpdesk/Desktop position. Once you gain experience at that level and you want to go into Systems Administration/Engineering you should look into the MCITP certs. MCITP Server Administrator is essentially the new MCSA and MCITP Enterprise Engineer is the new MCSE. Also, virtualization is a hot commodity right now and the next big step in IT.

As for the money aspect, you probably won't make great money not because of your lack of a BS in IT, but because of your lack of experience. I don't know anybody in IT who has a BS in IT. In fact I've never even heard of a program offering a BS in IT. IT is not an academic field -- it's the practical application of Computer Science, and a CS degree is commonly what is desired... on paper, that is. In IT, what REALLY matters is experience and knowledge. "Fitting in" can often play an important role too. IT are usually laid back people who have a real passion for technology, and a lot of us are pretty lazy too =P... which is ironic because that laziness compels us to spend countless hours making things more efficient so we have to do less work.

Anyway with that said, if you like to play around with computers in your personal life, it makes perfect sense to pursue it in your professional life. IMHO what ultimately drives one's success is one's passion and truly enjoying one's work. You're going to be spending the majority of your life at work, so you better like it. I friggin love my job -- not too many people who can say that.

Best of luck to you!

 

[breweyez]

Great find PC Surgeon

Thanks

 

[opm18]

Am I the only one having problems checking out?? I can't apply the "secondshot" promo code, I get a message stating that the code is either NOT a valid or has expired. Which to me it doesn't make any sense. The collection I want is the course 2275: Maintaining a M.S. Server 2003 Environment, which cost $349 Is anyone else having this issue??? Any help would be appreciated.