Microsoft Certification

Spider · 11 Nov 2006 at 11:30

I'm considering “expanding my skill set” by attaining some Microsoft certification. I know they aren’t cheap (hopefully my employer will make a contribution towards costs) but wondered if ppl here though that they were worth it and which are the most valuable MS Certifications to achieve.

How many people here have Microsoft certification and if you had your time again would do you still do them?

Mr-White · 11 Nov 2006 at 11:34

what course are you planning on doing ?

i'm also interested in peoples responses to this thread

MW

Goumet · 11 Nov 2006 at 11:35

Finally finished my MCSE 2003 last year, so I'm now MCSA messaging specialist, MCSE Messaging Specialist....plus others.

I'm going to do my SQL 2005 Pro stuff next year.

As long as you do them right (Learn things, don't brain dump), they will really make your life easier, and employment prospects a lot better, they did for me anyway.

If you going to do them, set yourself targets, book your exams in advance and stick to them, otherwise you'll drop by the wayside like I did a few times.

Have you much experience now?

Spider · 11 Nov 2006 at 11:37

I've only got 2yrs IT experience in a financial sector position so not too great. Dont want to be stuck here for the next five years (even though I enjoy the job at present the long-term potential is bordering on zero), so though this may be a decent way to progress my learning and "employability".

Goumet · 11 Nov 2006 at 11:41

Experience and Certification go hand-on-hand, you won't get far without one or the other.

I'm in the financial sector at the minute, and to be honest, find it very backward and restrictive, but in the bigger world, it is looked at to be the best for other areas like Change control, incident management, project management etc, which most other organisation don't really stick too.

I would do your Microsoft Stuff, but if you can, see about doing some ITIL certs if you can, they are huge in the industry atm, and both your well away.

n30_mkii · 11 Nov 2006 at 12:20

The exams can be quite specialised. I have just finished my MCSA 2003 Messaging and just starting my MCSE exams. I find that they work very well with experience. But I am not sure they would be the correct route for yourself? If you give us some examples of what you do / what you would like to do. We can maybe suggest some training to suit your needs...?

Spider · 14 Nov 2006 at 11:18

n30_mkii said:
...If you give us some examples of what you do / what you would like to do. We can maybe suggest some training to suit your needs...?

At the moment I am part of a team of four responsible for implementing a Windows 2003 Domain environment with 150-200 XP clients on site and a further 20 smaller remote sites under our control. We also have an Exchange 2003 server and finally large oracle database which we are expacted to partly maintain (although another firm provides additional support). We basically have to manage and maintain EVERYTHING in a financial environment.
I also have the role as on-site developer, dabbling in C#, ASP.net, VB.net etc etc.

We have had no formal training in any of these but this looks to be training and I want to take the best route for future career progression as well as my day-to-day job.

n30_mkii · 14 Nov 2006 at 18:46

Its probably worth lookingat doing the MCSA 2003 messaging the same a me, would be very usefull for backing up your current knowledge, but will help you should any sticky situations occur? Its not a sort after as an MCSE but is definatley sort after.... Hope that helps? Might be worth doing some self study for the client / XP exam, as you probably know most of it anyway, the exchange is a good course, but a lot to take in, you will probably learn a few handy things you didnt even know existed.....

I work for a large county coucil and do a similar job to yourself on a bigger scale with a large team, I will be looking to get my MCSE 2003 and CCNA (cisco) as well as any other specialised MCP's depending which route I go down, with those 2 full qualifications you will be pretty good material for most jobs...

J1nxy · 14 Nov 2006 at 22:20

Depends where you are on the skill/carrer ladder to be honest and if somebody else is paying the bill. I'm a Technical Architect for the biggest IT Distributor in Europe/World and I have no Microsoft Qualifications. Experience when you get to my level is everything and stuff like MCSEs etc don't mean jack.

As has been stated above don't get an MCSE/MCSA/MCP by brain dumping get it by doing the courses and doing the stuff you learn in the real world. I've come across far to many MCSEs who'd struggle to power the machine on or install an OS let alone design, build and maintain and AD or Exchange environment.