Inner Geek – Updated November 2009

I just love learning and I love certification, I am a Certification Junkie or Addict! The problem I have had is that the two testing centers in my town have both closed down in the last 24 months. It caused me more than a little frustration and set back my Certification schedule. I currently have to travel over 100KM to write and that means taking a half day off work to go. With how busy certain projects have been at work that has not been an option as much I would have liked. If your enjoying this series you will probably enjoy the Microsoft Born to Learn blog. Microsoft is currently offering student discounts on a number of certifications, up to 53% off the normal exam price. Since I am in my last term to Graduate with my BA from the University of Waterloo, that is some good news at least until the spring when my student card expires. yet even with those setbacks I have been able to add a few credentials in the 6 months. (CompTIA has changed their branding so I have added the new logo's to this post. I personally prefer the old colors and logo's.)

The certification's I have earned are:

Exams Written:

CompTIA Security+ - Exam JKO-015
MCITP Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician - EXAM 071-685
MCTS Windows 7 Configuration - Exam 070-680
Implementing Security in MS Win Server 2003 - Exam 70-299
MCTS System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuration - Exam 70-403
MCTS Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation & Maintenance - Exam 70-431
MCTS Upgrading MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008- Exam 70-649
MCTS Implementing & Managing MS Exchange Server 2003 - Exam 70-284
Security 2003 Server - Exam 70-298
Active Directory 2003 - Exam 70-294
Maintaining Server 2003 - Exam 70-293
Server 2003 Infrastructure - Exam 70-291
Server 2003 - Exam 70-290
MCTS Deploying & Maintaining Vista Client Office System - Exam 070-624
MCITP Desktop Support Consumer Support - 070-623
CompTIA Network+ 2007 - JK0-012 JK0-010
MCTS Windows Vista Client Configuaration - Exam 072-620 & 070-622
MCITP Desktop Support - Exam 072-622
CompTIA A+ Depot Technician - Exam 220-602
CompTIA A+ Remote Support Technician - Exam 220-603
CompTIA A+ IT Technician - Exam JK0-601 220-602
CompTIA A+ Essentials - Exam JK0-601
Microsoft PowerPoint - Exam 810
Microsoft Outlook - Exam 813
Microsoft Access - Exam 807
Microsoft Excel - Exam 804
Microsoft Word - Exam 801

My Updated Certification Schedule, at least at the moment, it is always open to change.
Articles in this Series:

Unleashing the Inner Geek
MOS Microsoft Office Specialist
Playing with Multi-OS's
Inner Geek - Validated
Inner Geek - On My Way
Inner Geek - Validated February 2008
Inner Geek - Validated September 2008
The Changing face of BRAM
Inner Geek - Updated February 2009
Windows 7 Beta Review
Inner Geek - Updated April 2009
Inner Geek - Updated July 2009
Inner Geek - Updated November 2009

Inner Geek - Updated December 2010

Mac VS PC an It Guys Perspective
Inner Geek - Updated June 2011
Inner Geek - Updated December 2011
Inner Geek - Updated December 2012

These exams were written either at a Prometric Testing Center or at a Certiport Testing Center for the Office exams. The Exams names that have links link to reviews of the books I used to prepare for those exams. These exams are a mix of CompTIA exams and Microsoft Exams.