MCT Success Story: Jonathan Embury
MCP Success Story
From the start, Microsoft .NET connection software has captured Jonathan Embury’s imagination and enthusiasm, and it hasn’t let go. Although he comes from a background of design and implementation in Java, Embury now works at a company called dotNET solutions, and is one of the first in the world to earn his Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET certification.
It took Embury a few years to get where he is today, simply because he was waiting for the industry to figure out what he already knew—that .NET offered exciting commercial possibilities. "I first learned about .NET from the media and from friends working in the industry," Embury explains. "I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of the Microsoft .NET Framework, and I spent quite a bit of time playing with it. A few months later, I attended a conference in Sydney and caught some sessions on .NET. The conference materials included a .NET Framework Beta 2 CD set. After that, I was hooked on the technology, but I had to wait until the industry caught up and jobs using .NET became available."
Certification a Path to Dream Job
Fortunately for Embury, a .NET-related job presented itself to him about a year ago. An Australian software solution provider, dotNET solutions, offers its clients total solutions in .NET-connected technology, including training, development, and consulting. Embury knew the managing director of dotNET solutions from a previous job, and when offered a position in the firm, he jumped at the chance of working with Microsoft .NET technology. Since the company’s launch in February 2002, Embury has been working as a developer and trainer.
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All the technical staff at dotNET solutions are required to attain a premier Microsoft certification such as MCSD or Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) before or shortly after starting work there. "The company pays for training and certification for each staff member," Embury explains.
Getting an MCSD was Embury’s first task. "I had considerable experience in Microsoft Visual Basic [development system] 6, and with the access I had to MSDN [developer program] and other literature through dotNET solutions, I was able to study for and pass the required exams."
Being part of the dotNET solutions team doesn’t just mean sitting at the computer and coding all day. All technical staff are also required to conduct training in .NET technologies. So Embury also studied for and obtained his Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification. In addition, he has obtained his Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification since joining dotNET solutions.
Immersion in .NET
Embury’s most recent accomplishment is obtaining his MCSD for .NET certification. He and the rest of the dotNET solutions technical staff were invited to take part in the MCSD for .NET Beta exams.
Embury notes that it was helpful to study as a group. "We’d ask each other questions until everyone knew each topic. It was great to have the support in the workplace to obtain this knowledge."
In addition to preparing with his co-workers, Embury says he spent a lot of time both at work and after hours reading, researching, and coding to gain the knowledge required. He adds that he literally immersed himself in the .NET Framework.
And it worked. "I was really excited when I received notification that I passed the MCSD for .NET," Embury says. "I put a lot of work into it and I’m relieved that it has all paid off."
Embury acknowledges that the experience he gained through his work helped him pass the exams. "Most of the knowledge required to obtain my certifications was acquired on the job," he says. "In particular, the exams for the MCSD for .NET certification require specific examples that you wouldn’t get by just studying."
For others seeking to do well on the exams, he recommends that they get as much hands-on experience as possible. "Spend a lot of time coding," he advises. He also notes that reading the material on the MSDN Web site is very helpful.
More .NET in the Future
As Embury looks toward the future, he sees himself doing more of the same thing: "I want to do more programming, and perhaps earn my MCDBA certification."
In terms of his career, he’s happy with what he’s doing. "I get the classic ‘creation rush’ out of coding and designing software, and I also enjoy doing the training work," Embury says. "I find that having the option to do both keeps me interested and challenged."
And he’s certainly going to continue to pursue his passion for .NET. "I have always found Microsoft's support for me as a developer to be excellent, especially through MSDN and the various online forums," he says. "It’s the thing that has done the most to draw me to working in .NET. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than .NET."