Hello!
First of all, I'm a computer science undergraduate currently in second year and I have this passion both for software and database development. My goal in the long run is to get the two 4.0 MCPDs and the database developer MCITP. I have taken no exams yet,
but I'm currently preparing for them. I've already purchased a few fundamental books and I have plenty of time available since I'm not working as of now.
That said, I have a few questions directed towards MCPDs that have taken the SQL Server development certifications (either 70-433 only or 70-451 as well). These are essentially questions about how those areas relate to each other
in practice, in a professional environment situation. Anybody with enough professional experience to give me a relevant opinion or statement is welcome too, certified or not. :)
Ok, suppose you have certifications and experience in both software and database development areas.
1) Aside from obviosly being able to work with a higher level of expertise in both of them separately... a) Do you feel you're more prepared to perform ANY
software development task any better than someone that is a certified software developer only? b) Also, do you feel you're more prepared to perform ANY
database development task any better than someone that is a certified database developer only? c) In case you've answered yes to either a or b: are these improvements slight, average, huge or fundamental/critical?
2) Are there ANY tasks in either area that you were able to perform properly ONLY because of your specific knowledge in the other field?
3) Which other gains of having specific knowledge on both fields could you share thoughts on?
4) What can you say about the current market demand of professionals with your profile of expertise? Please share information on where you live/work, and what exactly do you work with, both on a daily and in an odd basis (in case freelance jobs apply).
5) Finally, as a bonus question, I'll ask this honestly having no clue if it will ever make sense (because I know absolutely nothing about Business Intelligence): in case you have BI certifications as well, does being an MCPD help you in any way? In other
words, are there BI jobs/tasks that can be helped by MCPD knowledge?
For everybody that had the time to read and answer, thank you very much. :)