April 30

Passed Exam DP-420: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB

I took the Exam DP-420: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB yesterday and passed it. So I’ve added a new badge to the Certifications page.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty badge
Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty

Allright…so what’s next? Good question. I’m supposed to be rolling on to a project at work so that’s going to curtail my free time to chase these certifications. Here’s some ideas:

Got another idea? Let me know.

Category: Azure, Certifications | Comments Off on Passed Exam DP-420: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
April 9

Passed DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals

Found about a week’s worth of time to prep and take the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals. Having passed it, I can now say I’m Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals. This was one of the easier exams I’ve taken. Probably because I took the DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure in the past and I took more time to prep for that one.

If you’re looking to start taking Azure certification exams, this is a good first one to do to get a feel for how the exam process works, etc.

So what’s next? Given that I’m on the bench currently and I have more time to dedicate to prepping for another certification; AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. I’ll have to take a deeper look into what that exam entails on Monday.

Category: Azure, Certifications | Comments Off on Passed DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
February 24

Passed AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies

Yep, you’ve read that right. I have passed the AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies exam. When I did that, I got an email saying I won the following prize:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate

It’s been awhile since I picked up the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. It feels good to get another one. Specifically, the feeling you get when you click “Finish Test” in the exam, your score is displayed, and you passed.

I had the following question on BJSS’s Slack this morning:

What practice exams did you do @Tony Cardella ? Any recommended learning materials ?

Sean D.

Excellent question and one that I’ve had before starting exam prep. Starting from scratch is a little daunting so I hope this helps point someone in the right direction.

By themselves, no bullet point covers all the bases, rather each one provides a slightly different perspective on the exam. I do want to make sure I call out John Savill’s Technical Training YouTube channel for the excellent video he put together. The video is almost 3 hours long and it looks like he filmed it in a single take. Respect.

So what’s next? I’m not sure yet. I’m flirting with the idea of taking Exam DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals. I’m open to other ideas though. Got an idea? Let me know.

Category: Azure, Certifications | Comments Off on Passed AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies