The Road To Becoming a Microsoft MVP

Let me start off by saying that according to Microsoft themselves, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional is not just a technological expert with a deep understanding of Microsoft products and services. They’re also a community leader; someone who avidly shares their knowledge with the community, displaying exceptional leadership and a constant willingness to help others.

With that said, the first thing that you have to understand about the MVP program is that Microsoft treats the MVP program as an award, not as a certification. There is no exam that you can take to become an MVP. The only way to become an MVP is to be recognized by your peers. There are currently more than 3000 MVPs in the program, from over 90 countries, with new MVPs joining the program every month. Between posting and replying on forums and social media, publishing blog posts, and leading user groups and talks, Microsoft guesstimates that MVPs assist a many users every single day.

Current MVP award categories

There are currently 11 award categories, and each category has multiple contribution areas within it, which means that you can target your expertise very specifically - Read More

1. Microsoft Azure
   
2. Windows Development
3. Office Development
4. Developer Technologies
5. Data Platform
6. AI
7. Cloud & Datacenter Management
8. Enterprise Mobility
9. Windows & Devices for IT
10. Office Apps & Services
11. Business Applications

How do I become a Microsoft MVP?

The checklist to becoming a Microsoft MVP is rather short, but still not that difficult to achieve, including but not limited to:

• Be an expert in your specific Microsoft technology area such as Azure or AI or both of them :)
• Make mulitible of contributions to the community that make an impact with others.
•  Through the community contributions and impact that make, you need to get noticed by others in the community, so Microsoft in your country shall hear about you and your achievements
  • Lead and/or Organize technical meetups or events
  • Writing blog articles - Presumably the greater the volume of traffic that your work has received, the better your chances
  • Post videos for tech consumers on platforms like YouTube
  • Interact across social media (facebook, linkedin,,,,etc)
  • Speaking at conferences or workshops
  • Contribute to Open Source projects (write a scripts)
  • Answer questions asked by others across online forums

Always remember, the key to the award is that you make a significant impact to the community as an Expert in the Microsoft technology space.

The journey to becoming an MVP begins with a nomination, so to be considered for the program, candidates must be nominated by either a Microsoft Full Time Employee (FTE) or an active Microsoft MVP.
Once an MVP has their status confirmed by Microsoft, their status is good for one year, with renewals considered in July each year. MVPs must reapply every year to prove that they’ve continued to be active in the community. You may get contacted by MVP Award Team during the nomination processes, and for sure they will contact you once you get awarded

Personally, I don’t expect to be awarded Microsoft MVP. I really contribute to the community as I do since I have a passion for sharing and helping others, and the MVP award is an amazing side effect of that.

Advise: Always remember to save all your contributions in excel/word file, so you can easily fill your application once you get nominated , as Microsoft are looking for tangible evidence that you deserve an MVP award, so be sure to make a great case for yourself

What do you get?

Having an MVP status can be a boon for IT professionals. With the MVP badge comes an inferred technical proficiency, and an expectation of being a cut above other Microsoft professionals, and the prestige that comes along with being named a Microsoft MVP is one of the best benefits that recipients enjoy. Beyond that recognition, MVPs get their hands on numerous other perks, including:

1. Recognition Letter
2. Connecting with teams inside of Microsoft.
3. Award Kit
4. Almost you will get a lot of Microsoft products for free including free Azure credits($$$)
5. Getting information about upcoming products and changes.
6. Recognition as a respected thought leader within the industry.
7. Exclusive access to third party software and products
8. The other very exciting opportunity for MVPs is the chance to register to attend the MVP Global Summit which is run annually out of the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Seattle

If you’d like more information about the Microsoft MVP program, then please go visit the official Microsoft MVP Award website: http://mvp.microsoft.com