This is the first in a series of interviews with our newest MuleSoft hires. Each team member, regardless of their proficiency level, is expected to complete training in order to learn the latest and greatest about the MuleSoft platform. These certifications help us showcase our expertise to MuleSoft and to our customers.
I am a technical consultant within the APIMC US Consulting business unit, where I will focus on MuleSoft development. I graduated with a degree in Information Technology and have previous work experience in managed services. Outside of work, my interests are basketball, working out, cooking, and hanging out with family and friends.
Training Q&A with Adem
PRFT: How long have you worked at Perficient?
AK: 3 months
PRFT: What training or certification have you completed since you started?
AK: MuleSoft Certified Developer – Level 1
PRFT: Did you encounter any challenges during the certification process? How did you approach these challenges?
AK: With any new technology, there was a learning curve. I was very used to seeing multiple lines of code going down the screen, but with MuleSoft, it was a completely different interface. It was a low-code program, so it was the opposite of what I was used to. After I began my training, I was comfortable after a few weeks.
PRFT: Do you have any key takeaways from your training?
AK: My biggest key takeaway from training would be to study the information multiple times. I would always use different forms of material to drill the knowledge into my brain. I combined a Udemy course, YouTube series, and official documentation to help me solidify the information.
PRFT: What was the most enjoyable or interesting part of your training?
AK: The most enjoyable part of the training was reaching out to my coworkers and receiving their help. Whenever I was stuck on a problem and my googling skills failed me, I reached out to coworkers. They were eager to help and were very patient. I would always try to get to know them during these small help sessions. Working from home and not communicating with them as regularly made it challenging to form relationships, so I used that time to connect with people.
PRFT: Do you have any best practices or tips for others doing this training?
AK: There are a few prerequisites you must have in order to complete the training, including:
- A basic understanding of data formats, such as XML, CSV, and JSON
- A basic understanding of typical integration technologies, such as HTTP, JMS, REST, and SOAP
- Some experience in programming, especially with Object-Oriented languages is helpful but not necessary
Like I said above, I would encourage others to use a combination of study methods – follow a learning course, watch a YouTube video, and read the technical documentation. Going through multiple different sources allowed me to pick up on any information I might have missed. My recommendation is:
Fundamentals Course + Udemy Course + Webinar + Review Documentation
Also, know that the test for Level 1 certification is 60 multiple-choice questions, closed book, and proctored. You have two hours to complete the test, and you must receive a score of 70% or better in order to pass.
If you have questions about any of the specific materials I used, please feel free to reach out!
