Which Path Is Right For Me

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  Hi Jason,

  Congratulations on graduating from your degree program and welcome to the world of Microsoft Certifications. There are a couple of different certification tracks for developers using Visual Studio 2012.

  For Windows developers, you can follow the C# path with exams 70-483, 70-484 and 70-485. You can follow a similar HTML5/JavaScript path with exams 70-480, 70-481 and 70-482.  The initial exam in each of these paths covers language fundamentals while the other two cover Windows Store (formerly "Metro") app development.

  It sounds like you might be more interested in the following track:  MCSD, Web applications.  This track consists of three exams. You need to take the 70-480 exam and then the 70-486 and 70-487 exams.  The 70-486 exam focuses on ASP.NET MVC web applications while the 70-487 exam focuses on web services, Windows Azure and related technologies.  Here is a link to the page that outlines this certification: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-mcsd-web-applications.aspx

  Please take a look at the link and let me know if it is a good fit.

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  • Proposed as answer by Horizon_NetEditor Thursday, October 11, 2012 4:13 PM
  • Marked as answer by Horizon_NetEditor Sunday, October 21, 2012 10:32 PM

  Thursday, October 11, 2012 12:15 PM
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  Thanks Mike for the quick reply.  

  The path that you suggested is indeed the path that I was looking at, but was unsure if it was what I was looking for.  To be honest I still am not sure if that is the right track for me.  My interests are with the back-end development and architectures such as SOA and SaaS platforms.  I haven't had much experience with Web applications since all of the work in my classes were desktop applications with the exception of one that incorporated ASP.NET into the last week of class.  

  I would like to be able to create applications and deliver them on the Web, but as part of a team which would be comprised of others creating the front-end stuff (Graphics and UI design).  I'm not much of a graphic artist and don't have much of an eye for design as you can see by taking a look at my online portfolio I am working on at the moment (www.jasonsgalla.com).    

  I understand that I need to spend some time covering the basics of each path before I make a well informed decision, but with the information provided would you still suggest the same path for me?  

  Thanks again.

  Sincerely

  Jason Sgalla 
  

  Sunday, October 14, 2012 3:22 AM
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  Hi Jason,

  I think that the 70-487 exam is probably the best fit for you (because it covers services, Azure and other back-end technologies) but it will not grant you a certification by itself. You do need the 70-480 and 70-486 exams to earn the MCSD web certification.

  There is value in taking all three exams though. My wife does a lot of middle-tier and back-end programming but keeps up on the front-end technologies so that she can code front-ends if necessary or at the very least troubleshoot problems. You will not necessarily create any great looking web applications with this certification but you will understand how all of the pieces fit together.

  Good luck!

  Mike

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  Please do not forget to click “Vote as Helpful” if any post helps you and "Mark as Answer”if it solves the issue.

  • Proposed as answer by Mr. Wharty Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:29 AM
  • Marked as answer by Horizon_NetEditor Sunday, October 21, 2012 10:32 PM

  Sunday, October 14, 2012 10:51 PM
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  Excellent!

  That was exactly the type of information I was hoping for.  Thank you Mike for the help.

  Sincerely

  Jason Sgalla

  Monday, October 15, 2012 9:26 PM