Every Nutanix Certified Expert (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. The 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.
Recently we caught up with new NCX, Kenneth Fingerlos to talk about his experience earning his expert-level certification and to get his advice for other professionals looking to advance their career.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your IT background?
I have worked in the IT industry for the past 26 years now, spending the first decade of my career working for customers and working in various roles. Then about 16 years ago I made the jump to consulting and have never looked back. I worked my way through various roles there as well, and currently I’m with Nutanix working in the practice services side of things.
Q. What other certifications do you hold other than your Nutanix Certified Expert – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCX-MCI)?
I hold a lengthy list of certifications after being in the industry for so long. In addition to my NCX-MCI certification, I hold an NCP, NCS-Core, Core Master, NCM-MCI, and have also been a contributor to the NCP and NCM exams. I also hold various VMware certifications including VCP, VCAP, Datacenter and Desktop certifications, and VCDX. I hold Citrix certifications too including a CCEV and several Novell certifications. I was one of the few that held the CDE and to round it off I have some PMI certifications as well.
Q. Why did you decide to get your NCX-MCI and how do you see the certification helping your career?
My overall goal is to earn my Nutanix Platform Expert (NPX) certification. I started with my VCDX and after earning that certification I attended the Enterprise Cloud Solution Design (ECSD) Boot Camp.
The boot camp does a very nice job of walking through the thought process behind a design. The boot camp places a strong focus on being able to look at the requirements you’re given and creating a design from there. It spent a lot of time both in terms of presenting material, looking at how requirements can effect the design, and conducting mock design developments and defenses. Learning how to evolve the way you are presenting, designing and thinking was extremely valuable.
After the boot camp, I started to revise my VCDX design to use in my attempt at an NPX. It was then recommended that I attain an NCX first to prepare for my NPX since they are similar in their setup and demands, but the NCX is a lighter-weight version of what is asked of you in the NPX process. So I view the NCX-MCI as a stepping stone to one day earning my NPX certification.
As you can see based on the number of certifications I hold, I see value in achieving these expert level certifications. You don’t put in the time and effort to certify if you don’t associate the certification with value. Each stepping stone/critical along the way proved that I have demonstrated mastery of an expert level skill set.
Q. What tools/resources did you use to prepare for the certification?
The best tool I found was to conduct a few mock defense presentations with a group of qualified friends who were willing to provide honest feedback. I also read a lot of blogs from others who had been through this journey to see what they have done in the past to prepare for it. But by far the most valuable tools for me were the peer reviews and the ECSD Boot Camp.
This article was written by Sydney Araya, Nutanix Marketing Specialist
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