MCT Success Story: Eric Schwarz
MCP Success Story
Many times while taking classes for his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification, Eric Schwarz wanted to walk away. He had come to his classes with an interest in problem solving and a desire to emulate a friend whose career had taken off after earning the MCSE credential. But Schwarz had no prior experience with computers beyond the use of his home personal computer. Too frequently, the technical language and culture of the classroom left him feeling like he was working on Mars.
But Schwarz didn’t walk away. His seemingly boundless enthusiasm and desire to provide better financial support for his family kept him going. And a lot of people are grateful that he stuck with it—including the students he now teaches as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), the same students who are benefiting from the convictions that Schwarz has about what makes for good instruction.
Friendly and Encouraging the Whole Way
"Eric is very friendly, encouraging the whole way," says former student Tony Zaragoza. "He doesn’t let anyone fall behind. If we felt overwhelmed, he would take extra time to explain the material during a break. He made it clear that his success was dependent on our success. Some instructors know their material down to the number of bits in a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) packet, but Eric combines that knowledge with an ability to communicate in terms his students can understand. He’s constantly using everyday analogies to make technical points."
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Indeed, far from sending his students to Mars, Schwarz sends them back home—metaphorically speaking. For example, to explain the relationships between authentication, file security, Active Directory and the other elements of Microsoft Windows security, Schwarz compares the technologies to entering and moving about a house: A key may open the door but, if the chain lock is on, someone has to recognize you before you’ll be allowed to enter. Then, once you’re in, there may be some doors you can open and others that require permission from your host, and so on.
Schwarz’s approach is a hit with students—and with his employers at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, a Microsoft Certified Partner in Peoria, Illinois.
"Eric is a fantastic instructor, the most popular instructor we have," says Eva Weibring, training supervisor at New Horizons. "He knows his technologies, spends a tremendous amount of time preparing for each class, greets his students at the door to the building and walks them to class."
MCT Spells Success for Schwarz—and for New Horizons
Schwarz and those around him agree that one key to his success is his MCT certification.
"I knew I couldn’t teach Official Microsoft Learning Products without an MCT credential but my interest in being certified went beyond that requirement," says Schwarz. "If I was going to be a trainer, I wanted to be certified in teaching information technology (IT) as well as in understanding it. It’s the way to achieve in this industry. It’s the ‘holy grail’ of training certifications."
To Zaragoza, Schwarz’s MCT credential meant that he "combined knowledge of the material with the ability to teach that material—that he was both technically proficient and people proficient."
The MCT credential also gave Schwarz an added dose of confidence that he would succeed as an instructor in Microsoft technologies.
"The MCT elevates one’s confidence because Microsoft has validated your ability to teach its technologies," says New Horizons owner Gabriel Ja Ja. "It also provides access to Official Microsoft Learning Products, which gives the instructor more in-depth information to drive the training effectively."
"The MCT certifications give credibility to our facility and to our instructors," says Weibring. "We hang all of our certifications on the wall, to show our students that we not only have the technical expertise, but also that we know how to communicate that expertise to them."
"Microsoft Certification Has Completely Changed My Life"
Schwarz became interested in the IT field when he saw how MCSE certification had led to a better job at better pay for his good friend, Ben Hamann. Schwarz began his MCSE studies with the expectation that it would lead to an entry-level job in networking. But his enthusiasm and communication skills became immediately apparent to the staff at New Horizons, who asked him to consider joining their ranks. He took New Horizons’ own train-the-trainer (TTT) instruction, then went on for his MCT accreditation. And he hasn’t looked back.
"Microsoft certification has completely changed my life," crows Schwarz."It’s given me an avenue to make an excellent living and to affect others in a similarly positive way. It’s given me a track into the industry that otherwise would have seemed unapproachable."
Indeed, in his first year as an MCT, Schwarz is on his way to doubling his former income as an independent contractor. The added income has made it possible for Schwarz to realize his goal of enabling his wife, Lisa—who supported their family during his training—to cut back her own hours as a realtor to part-time.
Schwarz and his wife recently took their first vacation in nearly a year at a resort hotel on the beach in Playa del Carman, Mexico. In the photo he sent back home, Schwarz is lying on a beach chair wearing sunglasses, a swimsuit, a well-oiled tan and a grin, looking like every other vacationer with one big exception—he’s reading the 1572 Exchange 2000 Microsoft Official Course Delivery Guide.
"Some people might think it’s a bit ridiculous to take work along on vacation," Schwarz acknowledges. "But my work has also become an increasingly enjoyable hobby. The Lord has blessed me greatly by combining a great job with a passion for the industry I’m involved with. And the MCT credential has been instrumental in my success."