James Stover (2/12/2012)

When I got my MCM (makes it sound like I'm so old, hahaha) it cost around $20-$25k plus three weeks of your time, which can be pretty darned expensive for consultants. I was working for Quest Software at the time, and I signed an agreement that said if I left within X months, I'd have to repay the costs entirely out of my own pocket. I'll be the first to tell you that I was nowhere near rich - I was living paycheck to paycheck just like everybody else.

Within a month of getting the MCM, I had new consulting clients that were literally asking, "How much money will it take to get you onsite?" I quit Quest and paid them back for the MCM personally, out of my savings, and made it all back within a few weeks.

Another good example - in my rotation, another DBA paid for it completely out of his own pocket. He was totally frustrated with his day job as a DBA, and he wanted a better opportunity. Shortly after getting his MCM, Microsoft hired him. When he tired of that a few months later, he went to work for a private company making *killer* money and got an ownership percentage of the company.

The MCM opens doors - it's as simple as that. You still have to walk through 'em, but the MCM just makes it easier to gain entry. Most clients don't know what the MCM is, but they understand when you say, "There's only about a dozen of us consultants in the US who have this certification." It doesn't get you gigs, but it gets you a better rate and better clients. Since getting my MCM, I've been able to quit my job, start a company, and keep my friends ridiculously busy. Would all of this have happened without my blog, too? Probably not - but the MCM helps much more with companies than my blog helps.