In the fast-paced world of Information Technology, students may find it challenging to carve out enough time to earn special certifications and take the required exams. On Saturday, November 15, however, some students attacked the challenge as they attended a special event to earn Microsoft certification in IT.
Microsoft team members worked with George Mason University, IT Pro Camp, andCertiport, to deliver a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Test-Fest. The four-hour event allowed students a chance to become Microsoft certified.
"While certification doesn't guarantee employment, it's certainly a boost," said Timothy McAliley, Premier Field Engineer, Microsoft Services. "Some employers have specific certification requirements – a lot of federal agencies do – and some employers have a strong preference for certifications."
The event, held at Mason's, Nguyen Engineering Building on the Fairfax Campus, kicked off as students heard an overview of Microsoft certifications and were introduced to the robust Microsoft user group community in the Washington, D.C. area. Certiport donated more than 100 free exam vouchers for participants, and the Volgenau School of Engineering's Department of Applied Information Technology provided the space.
Microsoft team members from the public sector, the Federal Government, and the National Security Group, volunteered their time for IT Pro Camp by planning and conducting the event. These members included: Andreas Gibson, Cullen McVay, Jordan McGrew, and Timothy McAliley.
"The Test Fest is a great, low-cost, low-risk way to get certified," said McAliley."Depending on the certification, the exam vendor, and the study materials, the MTA certification could cost students as much as $115 per exam. This past weekend some students took more than one exam."
Professor Steven M. Schorling, Veteran Engineering and Technology Student (VETS) advisor and Associate Professor Kamaljeet Sanghera, from the Volgenau School's AIT Department both helped with the Test Fest. They were so excited by the high turnout of 70 students that they plan to host another event in the spring of 2015.
"As the advisor to the VETS, I do wish that there had been a better turnout by the veterans because it was a great opportunity," said Schorling. "However, the AIT student turnout made this a very successful event for both Microsoft and the School of Engineering."
Learn more about the MTA program:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mta-certification.aspx
Learn more about MTA Test Fest:
https://www.certiport.com/portal/common/htmllibrary/mta-test-fest/index.html