Success on Deputy Sector Navigator Grant

It was announced earlier today that I was the successful applicant for the Deputy Sector Navigator (Information and Communication Technology / Digital Media) for the Greater Sacramento Region. Now the work begins. Actually it will be a “catch up” game as I attempt to put twelve (12) months of work into the next six (6) months. More about that as I get started on January 15th.

doingwhatmatters

VMware Associate Certifications

With the end of the semester and grades submitted, I’ve been focused on achieving additional certification objectives. As an “extra credit” assignment for my networking and security students, I challenged them to study and take the available VMware Associate exams to obtain a VMware certification. The good news for my students is because my college is a VMware Academy, exams are free (normally $120). A large number of my students took advantage of this opportunity, with a couple of students taking and passing the three (3) available associate certification exams.

I figured that I should set an example for my students, so a couple of weeks ago I took and passed the VCA 510 exam relating to data center virtualization (admittedly this is in reverse order since I have already obtained my VMware Certified Professional certification in data center virtualization).

VMware-DCV

 

The next focused effort was on the VCA-Cloud certification. I found this the most difficult of the three associate exams.

VMware-Cloud

 

This was followed up with the VCA-Workforce Mobility exam.

WM

 

The sole remaining Associate level certification is for Network Virtualization. Unfortunately the certification exam is not available at this time, but once is appears I’ll focus on obtaining that certification.

CSSIA’s Ethical Hacking Class — Deputy Sector Navigator Submission

Having collected  the necessary signatures for the Deputy Sector Navigator submission, I managed to email the application to the California Community College Chancellor’s office on Monday (December 9th) well ahead of this Friday’s deadline. Now I’m in “wait mode” as the Chancellor’s office makes its decision. Time passes quicker if you keep busy, and I’m doing that as the semester draws closer to its December 14th end.

This week I’m taking an online ethical hacker class provided through CSSIA. The instructor is Jesse Varsalone and he clearly knows the subject matter. Couple a great instructor with a NetLabs+ environment and great labs, and you have a winning combination. Only issue I see is the cost associated with the exam, which isn’t entirely clear to me so I’m seeking clarification.

Steve