By Brad Tompkins, Executive Director, VMUG

Every IT pro remembers the first time they built something that just worked. A perfectly tuned lab, clean deployment, the moment everything clicked. VMware certification gives you that feeling again and again.

It’s a framework for mastering complex systems, proving your expertise, and building the confidence to design and defend infrastructure that lasts. And, when you combine that power with VMUG Advantage, you get a direct line to hands-on practice, expert mentorship, and real savings on your VMware journey.

As VMUG President Brenda Emerson put it, “VMware certifications aren’t about memorizing trivia—they’re about proving capability, clarity, and consistency.”

Certified teams don’t guess their way through workloads or network plans; they execute with confidence.

Tamecka McKay, a VMUG Board Director, said it even more directly: “When your team is trained and confident in VMware’s platforms, you’re prepared to build secure, trusted infrastructure. Certification creates that confidence and competence.”

Across our community, from Brenda to Tamecka, one message keeps coming through:

Certification doesn’t just change your skills. It changes your career.

The Proof Is in the Progress

And survey data backs it up. According to Pearson VUE’s 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report, 63% of surveyed professionals received a job promotion or were anticipating one after becoming certified. And 82% reported more confidence in pursuing new job opportunities!

Why? Because certified professionals build more secure, scalable, and consistent environments.

And when entire teams are certified together, as Brenda shared, “Innovation doesn’t get stalled at the handoff. It builds empowered teams.”

That empowerment creates a culture where certified teams move faster, communicate better, and retain talent longer.

From Lab to Leadership

VMUG Vice President Matt Heldstab described the moment he passed his first certification exam as the moment everything clicked. “[Certification] didn’t just validate what I already knew, it gave me a framework to understand what I didn’t yet know — and the confidence to bridge that gap.”

When you feel in the dark in your work, certification is like a mirror to help you peek around the corner. It prepares you to design better, troubleshoot smarter, and lead stronger.

As Matt put it, “Certification isn’t just about checking a box. It shapes your mindset. It moves you from short-term fixes to long-term architecture and transforms you from a reactive operator into a proactive strategist.”

The Shortcut to “Certified and Confident”

So, here’s where I come in.

If certification is the key to staying relevant and resilient in this industry, VMUG Advantage is how you get there faster.

Think of Advantage as your certification accelerator. It’s a membership built for VMware professionals who want to learn, experiment, and grow without hitting roadblocks and with dedicated certification study tools at your disposal.

Here’s what you get:

• Discounts on official VMware training and exams and VMUG events
• Personal-use licenses to boost your home lab once you’re certified
• On-demand labs and learning tools to practice hands-on
• Access to the global VMUG community for mentorship and collaboration

Brenda talked about the importance of “building certification into workforce strategy.” VMUG Advantage gives you the infrastructure to accelerate your career as an individual and the resources to empower your team as a whole.

For Individuals: Invest in Yourself

If you’re an IT professional looking to build momentum in your career, VMUG Advantage is the easiest way to start. You’ll save on training, practice in real labs, and join a network of peers who’ve been where you are.

“VMUG took me from a general attendee to a public speaker traveling around the world.” – Matt Heldstab

With VMUG Advantage, as you prepare for a certification exam, you’re also preparing for your next career milestone.

For Teams: Build a Culture of Capability

For IT leaders, certification isn’t just a personal win; it’s a strategic play.

Tamecka McKay reminded us that “security and trust start with capability.” That capability comes from teams that train together, speak the same technical language, and solve problems faster.

VMUG Advantage makes that knowledge scalable with group licensing options and volume discounts so you can elevate your whole team without breaking your training budget.

Why Now?

Our industry is in motion. Hybrid clouds, AI-driven security, and VCF adoption are redefining what “expertise” looks like.

VMware certification is your anchor amid change, and VMUG Advantage is the launchpad to get you started.

Because at the end of the day, certification gives you credibility, community gives you connection, and VMUG Advantage gives you both.

Sponsored and written by VMUG.