Microsoft Certifications

A[L]C

A[L]C

A[L]C

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,505
Location
Maidenhead
Hi all,

Im pretty confused about the available Microsoft Certifications.... At the moment Im 1st/2nd line servicedesk support. Ive repaired and built pcs for about 10 years and am looking to go towards the networking side of things, but would also like to build up some knowledge of active directory and exchange.

What would you recommend? This will be paid for by the company so not too worried about expense.

Thanks
 
Im in 1st/2nd line IT support and im currently doing a CompTIA a+, just to test the water, then im planning on looking into doing a MCSA/MCSE. If you have a look at the microsoft site, it gives you a list of all th modules available and which ones are required etc. The way im hoping to do it is to do a MCSA first, but by choosing the right modules, be able to attain a MCSE by doing another 2 modules. Im mainly focusing on Active directory and system admin modules.
 
I'm not sure the effort and costs involved are worth it, but armed with MCSE / MCSD you do become very attractive to employers, particularly those looking to class themselves as a MS Gold Partner.

It does take a long time though, I estimated a full MCSD would take about 2 or 3 years on the basis of the time I could get out of the office for training. If you're willing to study in your own time, employers will love you.
 
I looked into MCSE back in the days of NT4 unfortunately i found that it didn't hold much sway in the IT world. It was a catch 22 situation, every IT related job i saw advertised seemed to want someone with at least a couple of years experience (this was especially the case when it came to network technicians/support) Study MCSE to help secure a career in the IT sector, can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job - needless to say i gave up on the IT sector especially when they change everything from NT4 to windows 2000 which would have meant doing a whole new set of exams to keep up.
 
messiah khan said:
Im in 1st/2nd line IT support and im currently doing a CompTIA a+, just to test the water, then im planning on looking into doing a MCSA/MCSE. If you have a look at the microsoft site, it gives you a list of all th modules available and which ones are required etc. The way im hoping to do it is to do a MCSA first, but by choosing the right modules, be able to attain a MCSE by doing another 2 modules. Im mainly focusing on Active directory and system admin modules.
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I'm near the end of CompTIA A+ but i still dont have an IT related job. What qualifications did you need to get your job?
 
Seriously, never bother with the MS certifications. They dont mean diddly squat to the bigger employers because there is very little involved in them. You'd be much better off with other qualifications.
 
Microsoft exams are pretty easy, but they DO increase your chance of getting better paid jobs. Luckily for me my work pay for all my courses/exams, and increased my pay after passing.

To test the water do the 70-270 (Win XP) exam. Its about £88.
 
I'm currently studying for the MCP in Windows 2003 Server. I'm finding it quite a challenge - not in terms of grasping things, but determining what I need to remember for the exam and how on earth I can remember it all.

I am grasping the techy bits fine and have got a virtual network of PCs and servers set up in VMWare to experiement with, it is just a case of judging what to remember and then remembering it!
 
Got 3 down so far, and a couple more scheduled for the beginning of next month. Plan on having MCSE + Security + Messaging by the end of hte year. But i've been dealing with this kind of stuff a lot over the last 3 years so it's mainly just filling in the gaps in my knowledge.
 
Camalot said:
I'm near the end of CompTIA A+ but i still dont have an IT related job. What qualifications did you need to get your job?
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Not sure what I actually needed, but ive got 4 A levels and a degree in Computer Animation. It took me nearly a year after uni to get it (did a few really bad factory jobs up until then) When I took the job it was only part time, but fortunately I impressed them enough for them to take me on full time. The pay is rubbish, but I quite enjoy the job and it allows me to get experience in a lot of different areas. I work in a college so im IT support/Media technitian with loads of other roles thrown in. It certainly a good stepping stone for future jobs.

Just stick in there and keep trying. Apply to everything you can find, and eventually you will be lucky. What qualifications do you have out of interest?
 
oddjob62 said:
Got 3 down so far, and a couple more scheduled for the beginning of next month. Plan on having MCSE + Security + Messaging by the end of hte year. But i've been dealing with this kind of stuff a lot over the last 3 years so it's mainly just filling in the gaps in my knowledge.
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Out of interest, what do you find the best way of learning - just reading the book and doing the practicals, or actually making notes aswell?
 
HaX said:
Out of interest, what do you find the best way of learning - just reading the book and doing the practicals, or actually making notes aswell?
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Everyone has their own methods of learning and there are many ways to tackle it. You need to do whats best for you. ;)

I would highly recommend getting ahold of the relivant testking for which ever exam you are taking, especially if you have never sat an MS exam before. It will give you a better idea of what the exam will be like.

Unless you have good knowledge (working experience etc) of the subject, you do really need to study first though.
 
messiah khan said:
Im in 1st/2nd line IT support and im currently doing a CompTIA a+, just to test the water, then im planning on looking into doing a MCSA/MCSE. If you have a look at the microsoft site, it gives you a list of all th modules available and which ones are required etc. The way im hoping to do it is to do a MCSA first, but by choosing the right modules, be able to attain a MCSE by doing another 2 modules. Im mainly focusing on Active directory and system admin modules.
Click to expand...

i studied the comptia a+ at college, passed the practical and the hardware online exam, however failed the software (just). Ive now finished my 2 year college course. The college i went to doesnt do the course any more (Lewes Sussexdowns College) however the eastbourne campus might. I really want to retake the test to gain the qualification.

However if i cant go to this other campus, how do i go about retaking the software exam?. If your studying for it while in a job you should know ?
 
Vicious said:
i studied the comptia a+ at college, passed the practical and the hardware online exam, however failed the software (just). Ive now finished my 2 year college course. The college i went to doesnt do the course any more (Lewes Sussexdowns College) however the eastbourne campus might. I really want to retake the test to gain the qualification.

However if i cant go to this other campus, how do i go about retaking the software exam?. If your studying for it while in a job you should know ?
Click to expand...


I would have though that you just need to phone up a test centre and book the exam without an attached course. Not sure how you would get the hardware exam to carry over though. Ive simply booked the exams and been sent the course materials for me to study on my own. Then when im ready I go over to the test centre and take the exams.
 
messiah khan said:
I would have though that you just need to phone up a test centre and book the exam without an attached course. Not sure how you would get the hardware exam to carry over though. Ive simply booked the exams and been sent the course materials for me to study on my own. Then when im ready I go over to the test centre and take the exams.
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well they should have my details anyway. not sure about the practical but i have a printout of the hardware exam saying i passed etc. i will get in touch with the college.
 
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