SetFocus LLC Receives Renewal for Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Status

Posted by SetFocus Connect on Monday, January 25th 2010

SetFocus, LLC, a leading provider of training and placement services for Microsoft professionals, today announced it has received renewal for the Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. With a primary competency in Learning Solutions, SetFocus is recognized for its expertise in the technology training marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner since 2005, SetFocus has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet the training needs of IT professionals. SetFocus holds additional competencies in Custom Development Solutions, Web Development, Data Management Solutions, and Business Intelligence.

“Only companies that have demonstrated high levels of customer service, proved their experience and attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Gold Certified Partner,“ said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. Today, Microsoft recognizes SetFocus for its skills and expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology.”

“SetFocus is pleased to enter our 5th consecutive year as a Microsoft Gold Partner” notes Mike Simmons, SetFocus President, “our participation demonstrates our commitment to deliver high-quality training and placement services, including skills assessment, technical training, student mentoring, and career coaching.”

SetFocus is recognized by Microsoft as a leading provider of comprehensive learning solutions for individuals and organizations engaged in evaluating, planning, deploying, using, and maintaining business-critical systems and applications built on the Microsoft platform.

About the Microsoft Partner Program
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Despite Tough Job Market, 222 SetFocus Candidates Found Jobs in 2009

Posted by SetFocus Connect on Thursday, January 14th 2010

Master’s Program Alumni Buck Negative Employment Trend with Updated IT Skills; Career Coaching

SetFocus (www.setfocus.com) reported 222 individuals who completed The Master’s Program® training found jobs in 2009 as Business Intelligence, report, and systems analysts or as .NET and SharePoint developers. These IT professionals enhanced their marketability with The Master’s Program, combining training in Microsoft technologies with career coaching provided by professional recruiters.

In the toughest job market in nearly 30 years, job seekers are finding it necessary to re-tool in order to find jobs. IT professionals, in particular, must update their skills to stay competitive. However, today, skills alone are not enough to set a candidate apart.

SetFocus, an IT training and placement firm, provides IT professionals with a unique program that includes comprehensive, hands on technical training in Microsoft technologies — .NET, SQL Server, SharePoint, Business Intelligence – combined with career development and placement support. Candidates receive individualized career coaching and learn personal marketing skills to help them navigate and stand out in a crowded job market. SetFocus also employs professional recruiters to help its candidates find employment.

“In my eyes, the clients are actually our candidates. I work with individuals who are at various stages in their careers. Some are recent college graduates or career-changers. Others are mid-level or senior IT professionals who need to re-tool. My goal is to help them secure a position in their newly-obtained skill set.” notes Brian Galicki, a member of a team of placement specialists – all former recruiters who bring 20+ years combined IT recruiting experience to graduates of the SetFocus Master’s Program.

The SetFocus commitment to its alumni is life-long. Of the 222 candidates who found employment in 2009, 11% were graduates of The Master’s Program who found themselves back on the job market.

Since 1997, SetFocus has been a leader in selecting, training, placing, and supporting Microsoft professionals worldwide. SetFocus identifies skills gaps and develops programs that directly train and source skilled professionals to meet the immediate hiring needs of its partners. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, SetFocus employs a unique hands-on learning curriculum and a combination of services to help organizations grow. SetFocus is currently ranked among the 2009 Inc. 5,000 fastest growing companies in America and the 2008 New Jersey’s Fifty Fastest Growing Companies.

For more information, SetFocus can be reached at +1-886-91-TRAIN and through its website, www.setfocus.com

SetFocus Instructor Kevin Goff: Life in Detail

Posted by admin on Monday, December 21st 2009

Kevin Goff has taken the time to give us a glimpse into his life; He has built a career that began with building a few databases and writing code, then published his own column, Microsoft awards him Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional), was author and contributing author of two books, and began to work for SetFocus in 2007 where he “had a major hand in building and growing their Business Intelligence Master’s Program” and spends most of his time “as a full-time contract trainer and courseware author for SetFocus.”

Take the time to read more about how Kevin Goff got his start and how he became a SetFocus instructor and how he is able to balance both the work he enjoys and is excellent at as well as his the family life he loves!

Kevin Goff and The Baker’s Dozen Talk SetFocus!

To learn more about Kevin Goff or SetFocus Instructors check out the SetFocus website!

SetFocus CEO Mike Landau Answers The Question…

Posted by admin on Thursday, December 10th 2009

Just what is SetFocus?

The Baker's Dozen Talks SetFocus!

Posted by admin on Friday, December 4th 2009

One of SetFocus’ most brilliant and dedicated instructors has his own blog, The Baker’s Dozen, and he is going to be using a section of his blog to present small examples of the type of material that he covers in his SetFocus classes. Previously, he has blogged about online technical content on both T-SQL 2005 enhancements and SQL Server Business Intelligence.

Be sure to check out his latest post on SetFocus!!!

SetFocus Alumni Testimonial: Sung Kim

Posted by admin on Monday, November 30th 2009

“I would like to begin by complementing your program and the results it provide. The staff is extremely knowledgable and work hard. I can say that I am happy I was working in another job that didn’t involve .NET so I could find this place and not be stuck in a career path in Java or C or making circuits.

I believe your method of teaching the current technologies,currently .NET 2.0, is a good way of giving great opportunities for people looking for a change. Like one of your past students have said, “you program produces results” and for that I am extremely thankful.

With that out of the way, I am writing to inform you that I have an offer on the table that I will most likely be accepting. I graduated with only good memories of the institution and I know that you guys are doing your best to improve upon it. I will promote SetFocus whereever I go and I wish your business/school only the best. Thank you.”

SetFocus offers those with the passion, courage, and desire, the opportunity to take their training and career to the next level. The list of alumni testimonials is endless. Read them all!

The Ah-Ha Moment: The Best Part of a Day at Setfocus

Posted by admin on Thursday, November 19th 2009

My name is Jimmy Robertson and I was a student at SetFocus in quarter two of 2008. Throughout my time at SetFocus, the thing that stuck out the most for me was the commitment to more than just presenting information. Yes there was teaching, but there was a commitment that each SetFocus student would be given the opportunity to actually learn and understand all of the concepts. With the career development provided by SetFocus, I graduated with three different job offers already on the table. Because of my experiences, it was really not a difficult decision to accept a position with SetFocus as a developer and Project Support TA. I wanted to be a part of giving what I was given, rather than just a developer. So at SetFocus, I get the best of both worlds. I get to develop new applications, support existing applications, and help others that are just as passionate as me about developing to enhance their skill set and ensure their future as well.

One of the best parts of any TA week is something that I’ve always called the “Ah-Ha moment” back when I was a student. We have all had them…those moments in class where something that you thought you were never going to understand, finally clicks. And you fully understand it from then on. In the SetFocus classrooms, as instructors and TA’s, we get to witness a bunch of these moments. When you watch this happen for students, you can always see the struggle and confusion in their face before they verbalize it. At first, they might not even be able to know what question they should be asking. Then the question comes. And there are possibly several attempts, on my part, to explain it as I try to figure out where they are missing the key piece. Then the looks on their face changes instantly; the looks of confusion are replaced with a genuine expression of understanding. You know they have it and you can see it written all over their face.

And in an instant, there is a new expression. Now they have a look that says: I can see exactly how I will use this in the future. Seeing that look takes away the fears that you have for them and makes it all seem worthwhile. Whether it is something simple like how values are passed or something bigger that lets them see how everything fits together as one piece, the reward of seeing the “Ah-Ha moment” reminds you that we at SetFocus are changing people’s lives every day. The skills offered at SetFocus make our students marketable, even in this troubled economy, and it is so great to know that I had a hand in making that happen.

Jimmy

SetFocus Alumni Speak: Chris Lukose

Posted by admin on Monday, November 16th 2009

SetFocus Alumni have offered their honest opinions and descriptions of the SetFocus Master’s Program experience. They speak about their fears, reservations, goals, expectations, and overall impression. Take a listen to what Chris Lukose has to say.

If you want to listen to more of what SetFocus alumni, staff and supporters have to say, be sure to out the SetFocus YouTube channel.

SetFocus Alumni Testimonial: Jonathan Bahnick

Posted by admin on Monday, November 16th 2009

“As for the program itself, the experience I gained has helped to pave the way for my entire career. I am on my second job since graduating from the .NET Master’s Program and love what I am doing. I am in an awesome work environment and actually working on applications that help other make a difference in peoples lives. So in that regard, my current work is very rewarding. Without the skills I learned at SetFocus, I would not be where I am today. When I came to SetFocus, I had no prior IT experience…just a degree. Since graduating, I have completed two fully functional websites from the ground up…all using the core skills learned while in the program, as well as learning new skills that come with experience in a production environment. I know that I am the one that made it happen…I was the one that went through the program and put in the late hours studying and working on projects; but again, without SetFocus, I would not be on the career path I am on today. Words cannot express the lifelong gratitude that I will have for being accepted into the program and being given the chance to display the talent that I knew I had. Again, thanks to all the SetFocus staff that made this possible for me. ”

SetFocus offers those with the passion, courage, and desire, the opportunity to take their training and career to the next level. The list of alumni testimonials is endless. Read them all!

Market driven curriculum changes to the .NET Masters Program

Posted by admin on Thursday, November 12th 2009

At SetFocus, we constantly strive to keep our Masters Program curriculum as market-driven as possible to ensure that our graduates have a competitive edge in the job market. We have received some significant feedback from our hiring partners in the Advisory Board regarding industry adoption of LINQ for enterprise applications and hence the balance of ADO.NET vs LINQ material covered in the .NET Masters Program will be adjusted accordingly. Another area we are looking to concentrate more on is the coverage of SilverLight during the ASP.NET weeks. Stay tuned to know more…

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