Which MS Certification(s)?

[Big Chris]

I've been in IT Support for 6 years now, 2 in 1st Line and 4 in 2nd Line. I have lots of experience but no qualifications.

I'm looking to do some Microsoft Certifications but there are so many of the damn things that I'm not sure which to go for.

There's a MCDST (MS Desktop Support Technician) which looks pretty basic, but might be handy to have. Then there's MCSA and MCSE which are more comprehensive but also a lot more expensive.

What would you guys recommend and what do you have? I'm looking to stay in support but would welcome more knowledge as we don't get much/any exposure to 3rd Line kinda stuff at the moment.

 

[Big Chris]

I saw the MCITP on the MS website, it's not one I'd heard of.

Due to the cost of these exams/modules, it sounds like it might be worth doing this instead of MCSA or MCSE if they're getting outdated.

Am I right in thinking that you choose from a selection of certain modules to make up an MCSA/MSCE/MCITP?

 

[Big Chris]

You seem to be quite experienced in 1st/2nd level support, I'm wondering if it's really worth you taking the MCDST. Do you do a lot of server work at the moment?

I've got 4 years 2nd Line under my belt, but no exposure to servers. We also have a Systems Management Team who look after DNS etc so I don't really know too much about any of that, it's purely Desktop related stuff and builds, Blackberries etc.

The MCDST looks fairly simple, but it seems like a good place to start.

Exams on there own are not that great (mainly because people think you've cheated as you've got a high qualification but no expertise) but experience on its own isn't either (though will get you further) all jobs I've seen recently want both.

Yeah, a lot of the jobs I've been looking at require a few years experience at least and nearly all say an MS cert would put an applicant a significant advantage.

 

[Big Chris]

It's still pretty confusing, just been looking here: Distance Learning Centre

Am I right in thinking that you choose the 4 modules you want to learn from the 8, which costs you £650 for all the course materials, then you have to pay £88+VAT for each of the 4 exams you've studied for? Do you need all 8 exams to qualify for an MCSA?

 

[Big Chris]

I'd also highly recommend getting some server side exposure at your current work if you can, will help you in the long run.

They moved the servers and the guys who look after them about 40miles up the road a few years ago, only site-essential teams are left here in the office I work at. Makes sense for the company but it means the exposure I get to other teams & processes is very limited.

I think I'll start with the MCDST to get a feel for how the certification process works. Even that is £200 for the course then £88+VAT for each of the two exams.

I'll look into the MCITP/MCTS desktop stuff following this (when I've got some more money!). Would I be stuffed without any prior knowledge of servers and the like when it comes to these more in-depth exams though, or it this taught as part of the course material?

 

[Big Chris]

So are there specific books for each course module then? Or can you get various ones from different publishers as per GCSE/A level exams?

Are the other course materials easy to come by? Makes sense to save money on the materials then pay for the exams.