Value in...?

10Linefigure

Hey guys I was looking at the VMware VCA exams and they all seem to be overviews and introductions to their products. Would having the VCA certs help show a potential employer that you are willing to learn Virtualization and tried to do what you could on your own? Or should I skip over them?

Thanks


>@ Essendon hahahaha spell check strikes again, at least it was a real word :P

Essendon

For Vitalization, I would recommend some vitamins, Vitamin C is a good choice.

Just kidding mate, thing is no one knows about the VCA. Sure you can list it in on your resume but it's probably going to get glossed over. The VCP provides a much better ROI than all 3 VCA's combined. How much experience do you have with Vitalization, sorry I meant Virtualization? The VCP isnt that difficult.

jibbajabba

Whether it brings any value depends on the potential employer unfortunately ... If your company is Vmware partner maybe ask if you can be added to the portal .. There you can have some free training and accreditation. Especially the VTSP (VMware Technical Sales Professional) - not too many buzzwords, but lots of technical, easy to digest VMware background ..

BGraves

Yeah, VCA mostly sales and marketing terms, very basic explanation of virtualization.
*I had a couple free hours one night when it was still free to attempt, so I went for it. (I wouldn't pay actual money for a VCA exam)

10Linefigure

Essendon, I have 0 experience with virtualization and VMware products. This is why I thought they could be a good door to open? But as BGraves said its a lot of terms, no actual configuration or anything. Humm, I may try one just to put it on there, hoping it shows willingness to learn new things to potential employers?

tstrip007

"The VCP isnt that difficult." pfff cmon its pretty difficult. OP your networking knowledge will really help if you decide to go VCP. To me VCP solidifies that you are familiar with all the basics and that you are very familiar with the interface and what every little thing does.

Deathmage

Essendon wrote: »

For Vitalization, I would recommend some vitamins, Vitamin C is a good choice.

Just kidding mate, thing is no one knows about the VCA. Sure you can list it in on your resume but it's probably going to get glossed over. The VCP provides a much better ROI than all 3 VCA's combined. How much experience do you have with Vitalization, sorry I meant Virtualization? The VCP isnt that difficult.

Don't you need to go to a 5 day class before you can even take the VCP exam even with book/lab study? - that's the impression I have about getting a VCP.

jibbajabba

You used to be able to take the exam prior the class, but you wouldn't get the accreditation of VCP until you did sit the class. Nowadays though you cannot just book the exam but you need to request authorization first. Before authorizing the exam, all pre-requisites are checked and if you do not have attended the class, you unlikely to get authorization to even book the exam.

So yes, you need the class no matter what ...

Deathmage

thanks for the clarification.

iBrokeIT

If you want the best return for your $ and time. I would recommend skipping the VCAs, sign up immediately for the Stanley course, buy the Scoot Lowe book to read and start labbing. By the time the Stanley course comes around you should have a good understanding of virtualization and the couse will help fill the gaps.

ande0255

For those who work for employers who are VMware partners, I would advise contacting your vendor relations person, as I contacted mine about any sort of discounts or vouchers available from VMware and was able to get my class requirement for the exam completely waived (not just to take the exam but the requirement entirely).

scott28tt

jibbajabba wrote: »

You used to be able to take the exam prior the class, but you wouldn't get the accreditation of VCP until you did sit the class. Nowadays though you cannot just book the exam but you need to request authorization first. Before authorizing the exam, all pre-requisites are checked and if you do not have attended the class, you unlikely to get authorization to even book the exam.

So yes, you need the class no matter what ...

That's not the case - yes you have to "authorise" for VCP but this doesn't validate training attendance - it ensures that there is an ID associated with your VMware and PearsonVUE accounts to tie them together.

For the VCAP/VCDX certifications the authorisation process verifies you have the pre-requisite certifications.

scott28tt

ande0255 wrote: »

For those who work for employers who are VMware partners, I would advise contacting your vendor relations person, as I contacted mine about any sort of discounts or vouchers available from VMware and was able to get my class requirement for the exam completely waived (not just to take the exam but the requirement entirely).

The waiver is for Premier partners only.

ande0255

Yes I'm sure I got a pretty rare opportunity, but I'd check for discounts as well on training materials / classes / exams, or could just wait for VMworld to come around and grab a voucher.