Today’s MCP Flash included a program update from our MCP Program Manager, but for the first few hours the article didn’t display properly if you clicked on it. So in case you missed it the first time around, here’s the article in its entirety:
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You spoke, we listened: over the next few months we’ll introduce enhancements to the Microsoft Certification Program—all based on your feedback. Many of you have shared your opinions through our MCP satisfaction surveys. We’ve analyzed the data, read your comments, and prioritized several focus areas:
Career Development
The number one reason (according to our annual survey) why MCPs get certified: to advance their career. Whether you want to start a new career, advance your current one, or stay relevant for a future move, we want to help. We’ve already launched a new portal for IT managers with information and insights on the value of MCPs and tools to help find them. Coming soon, look for opportunities to network with employers, along with tools and resources to help you best position yourself to employers.
MCP Pride
We know you’re proud of your accomplishments—we are too, and we’re committed to making it easier for you to show off you certifications. We started by making it easier to order paper certificates: you can now use PayPal to pay for shipping and handling charges. Next up: You told us you miss your MCP wallet cards, so we’re bringing them back—details to come in a future MCP Flash. You also asked for a better selection of items in the MCP e-store, along with better shipping rates outside the U.S.— we’re working on that, too.
Member Site
Many of your comments focused on the look, features and content of our MCP Member site, and we’re already at work on making improvements. Over the next few months, look for new sections for career resources, event invitations, our survey results, and more.
This isn’t the full list of what we’re working on, but it’s a start—please keep your suggestions coming by sharing them in our MCP Discussion Forum.
We’re getting ready to send invitations for our next MCP satisfaction survey to a randomly selected group of MCPs. If you receive an invitation, please share your opinions. Your feedback—whether in surveys, blogs, forums, or events-- helps us shape the future of the MCP program, so thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
That's great news about the wallet cards. I don't know if the details have been finalized but if you wanted to make them more useful then including some form of photograph of the owner and maybe a signature strip so we could use them as ID for taking exams.
Hey Now Ken,
Nice Post!
Thx 4 the info,
Catto
Thank you for the update Ken! It's always good to hear the "goings ons", and especially seeing the effects of Microsoft listening to all of us!
"You told us you miss your MCP wallet cards".
Really? Whatever do people use those for?
Kevin, the wallet cards have always been a polarized benefit--people either love them or couldn't care less about them. :-)
Edward, the details have not yet been finalized, and we are looking at some potential enhancements over what we had before. More details as we have them.
Excelent. Wallet cards and better shipping rates (i am brasilian) are my favorite items.
Wallet cards are loved by those looking for work or always looking to upgrade their job situation; which is the same group that typically might take a certification exam in the first place, other than to keep current for their position.
Obviously catering to those in this economy who are struggling for a leg up is a big deal, and this will be welcome with open arms. I, for one, would love a charter membership card for Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7.
Yes I think reintroducing the wallet cards is an excellent idea! Its a very handy tool to showcase what you have achieved..
Are the estore discount coupons still issued when you complete a major certification?
I didn't get one with my MCITP:SA so I assume they are not.
Thanks Ken, looking foward for several of the items....
1. It is good you have realized that VBC and discontinuation of Wallet Cards were really bad decision. Wonder why it took more than year for you to understand that.
2. New Wallet Cards could be different than old one. I suggest something like MCP ID with link to VBC profile through MS Tag technology. Discontinued Wallet Cards were of two types for - old certs ones with all credentials like MCP/MCSE and even MCITP (if passed before getting old card) and newer of with two "levels" for MCITP and MCTS that haven't mentioned older certs. I think you should find way for including all credentials, MS TAG "link" for VBC profile and add some customization for users.
3. Score report from Prometric STILL MENTIONS WELCOME KIT - you have nothing to say about that - This is FRAUD. You have really bad Public Relations and Customer Relations.
4. You (we) still have huge problems with Prometric.
5. Since we know it is possible to revert bad decisions like VBC and revert to old naming convention for Office Certs - wouldn't it be great to bring back MCSA/MCSE for server 2008? In other comment I have suggested that you could keep MCITP "level" and add description MCSA/MCSE in place of SA and EA. I know that would sound strange to have a cert that has 2 Microsoft words in name - but MCSA/MCSE is one of the best brands in certificates world.
This is great. At least we will have the Wallet Cards back. Getting certified requires a lot of effort and time. Certificates and wallet cards were in my opinion the best reward (after the knowledge acquired) that we had after achieving a Microsoft certification. It's not the same to have certificates digitally but we hope that the new method improves, especially when it comes to worldwide people that get certified.
I would like to see a new design of the wallet cards, something nice with good looking, like the first ones. We'll see.
Thanks for this info!!!
Any news on the MCP eStore better shipping rates outside of the US?
"We know you’re proud of your accomplishments—we are too, and we’re committed to making it easier for you to show off you certifications. We started by making it easier to order paper certificates: you can now use PayPal to pay for shipping and handling charges. Next up: You told us you miss your MCP wallet cards, so we’re bringing them back—details to come in a future MCP Flash. You also asked for a better selection of items in the MCP e-store, along with better shipping rates outside the U.S.— we’re working on that, too."
Are you serious? I've been cursing microsoft for over a year for taking this away. It may sound realy stuppid to some, but ever since getting my MCSE and not having that has realy sucked. All of my other MCSE friends feel the same way. You guys totaly rock. THANK YOU.
@joe: do you have a update for us?
for me it would be really nice to get a wallet card. because there were no welcome kit for me!
It would be nice to use the wallet cards in testcenters as a signiture card or identifying card like passport or driver license! Because the owner got the wallet card.
items which should be shown on new wallet cards could be:
name
mcp id and transcript ID
prometric ID
titles like MCSA/MCSE MCITP Enterprise Administrator.
And if microsoft need a payment for the new gernation of wallet cards I think this will be no problem for some of us!
Microsoft should inform all members about that in an email when the new cards are available.
Perhaps there can be a credit point system be integrated for examtakers like a bonus program.
I have many ideas about that. but no one from microsoft will discuss about that.
about your sentence "... easier way to order paper certificates" --> I´m printing them by my own on a mfc in high quality. the easiest way for me in germany would be: contacting microsoft in munich or berlin to get the certificates printed.
About the MCP e-store there is nothing in for me in what I´m interested. :-(. the articles in the store could be more selected and "just in time" as a suggestion: business shirt with my own name and certification titles would be nice. :)