A Couple of Questions Concerning MCSD

[mmt4331]

Currently, I'm a team lead in a mainframe operations environment. I have little experience programming in VB6 (database programming (ADO))and I maintain our web site (HTML and javascript).

My question is: should I go for my MCSD and try to be a VB developer? But if I do that...won't companies want a lot of experience, even if I have my MCSD? What else would I have to know (COM for example)to get a developer position?

My second question is maybe I should get into web development???? I have some HTML and JavaScript experience. I thought maybe I could build a Civil War site of my own and place it on the net and basically make it my resume where I can direct potential employers of taking a look at it.

My third and final question - I'm good w/ Crystal Reports and since it is easy, maybe I should become a Crystal Reports Developer. This would be the easiest route, but the money isn't that great and there isn't that many jobs for CR8 around.

What do you guys think I should do????

 

[chiph]

How about learning .NET? Fujitsu is going to be releasing a version of COBOL for .NET.

If you're not keen on re-learning COBOL (or learning it for the first time (-: ) you could learn C# or VB.NET.

Something you should be aware of, learning C# and VB.NET is much more than just learning the language -- there's the entire .NET framework to learn. The good news is once you've learned the framework, it's applicable to any of the .NET languages (VB, C#, COBOL, Perl, etc)

Chip H.

 

[jonscott8]

At this point, I've been discouraging peers from beginning a quest for a MCSD with VB6/VC6 because, as Chip eluded, Visual Studio .NET is just around the corner. Why spend months learning a technology that will be out-dated by the time you adequately learn it? Now, if you've already began, keep moving forward with it.

I, too, would recommend you begin learning VB.NET. The MCP exams for this probably wont be available until late summer 2002 - that gives you adequate time to get up to speed.

IRT the experience, obtaining your MCSD is typically demonstration enough that you are knowledgable in the development area. Because, IMO, the MCSD is not as easily obtained as the MCSE - that's why there arent a lot of MCSDs.

FWIW, having a work-sample (like the website idea) above is an excellant idea. Because if an employer does have any doubt about your abilities, the work-sample can quickly put that to bed. Jon Hawkins