The Nutanix Certified Expert (NCX) certification tests candidates on their ability to create and deliver Cloud-Smart solutions that leverage the Nutanix stack for Private Cloud and the best offerings from our Public Cloud partners for hybrid services. Every NCX is an expert in their field and has the proven ability to design enterprise-scale solutions that support business-critical applications with service level agreements specified by business stakeholders.
We caught up with new NCX, Akshay Poddar, to talk about his experience earning this expert-level certification and to get his advice for other professionals looking to earn their NCX.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your IT background?
I have been working in the virtualization space for the past 10 years. And prior to my role here at Nutanix, I worked with an Indian based VDI tech company with a background in work from home technology, which we are all too familiar with nowadays.
Q. What certifications do you hold?
I hold numerous certifications such as multiple Nutanix, VMware, and Citrix certifications, as well as Google Cloud ACE.
I have always felt like certifications improve the overall experience with a company and help to better understand the technology that you will be working with on a daily basis.
Prior to my NCX-MCI certification I have taken other Nutanix certifications including the Nutanix Certified Advanced Professional (NCAP), because of this, I was approached by my manager to see if I was interested in continuing my education with Nutanix by going for an expert level certification. I jumped on the opportunity to go for a high-level certification and here I am today with my NCX-MCI.
Q. Why did you decide to get your NCX-MCI?
The NCX-MCI certification is not laid out like other certifications where you have a timed exam with multiple choice questions and you earn a passing score based on your answers. In this particular certification, you have to prepare a presentation and appear in front of a panel of examiners where you have to present your solution that you have architected for your particular customer which is very unique in its own way. Being a Solution Architect, it can be challenging to present your design to an organization and the NCX-MCI helps you prepare for that.
Q. In addition to the Enterprise Cloud Solution Design Boot Camp, what tools/resources did you use to prepare for the certification?
I leveraged multiple resources to help prepare for my certification such as the Nutanix Bible and the Nutanix University learning platform. The Nutanix Bible is a great resource for anyone working with HCI technologies. I think it should be the first resource anyone should read before preparing for a certification exam.
I would also recommend the Nutanix University learning platform to anyone out there looking to prepare for their Nutanix certification as well as anyone looking to gain a better understanding of Nutanix technologies.
Q. How do you see your NCX-MCI certification helping your career?
This certification has given me a holistic view of how to properly present a design to a customer and I am proud to share my achievement of earning my NCX-MCI on my LinkedIn profile.
I am the first NCX-MCI based out of India and I have already begun encouraging my colleagues and partners to advance their current certifications and go for their NCX-MCI. A few of them have even signed up or even taken the ECSD boot camp.
Q. What is your opinion of the NCX process?
My overall experience was excellent. The NCX process is very interactive from beginning to end. I would recommend that every SE and Solution Architect should at least attend the Enterprise Cloud Solution Design (ECSD) Boot Camp because it is unlike others where you just sit through a lecture.
This blog was written by Sydney Araya, Nutanix Marketing Specialist
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