Security/Messaging Worth it?

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by westernkings, Apr 29, 2010.

  1. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    Apr 29, 2010 #1
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    Hey guys,

    Is doing the extra exam to be an MCSA:S or MCSA:M worth it? has any employer ever passed comment on it to you? obviously from an education point of view, it's worth doing, but does it rate even slightly higher than just the MCSA to an employer?

    Also, can you get both M and S or just the one?
     
    Certifications: MCITP:VA, MCITP:EA, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP:EST7, MCITP:SA, PRINCE2, ITILv3
  2. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    You can have both.

    I started to do the messaging (Exchange 2003) specialisations but decided against it in the end, my view was it was over the top.

    I do have the :S but to be honest with you I haven't really had anyone mention it at all to me, again it's really up to you but would I do it again?? I'm not sure tbh.
     
    Certifications: CNA | CNE | CCNA | MCP | MCP+I | MCSE NT4 | MCSA 2003 | Security+ | MCSA:S 2003 | MCSE:S 2003 | MCTS:SCCM 2007 | MCTS:Win 7 | MCITP:EDA7 | MCITP:SA | MCITP:EA | MCTS:Hyper-V | VCP 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | VCP 5 DCV | VCP 5 Cloud | VCP6 NV | VCP6 DCV | VCAP 5.5 DCA
  3. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Apr 29, 2010 #3
    Hi mate, as you know I'm an MCSA:S soon to be MCSE:S (hopefully) and its my personal opinion that it does make you stand out from the crowd. I know my TL was interested in how my MCSA: Security differed from a standard MCSA (I went down the "explaining 70-299" route to answer him by the way) when I was interviewed for my current role.

    One thing I am happy about is that I chose to take the Security specialisms because A) Security in 2003 hasn't changed much and is very handy to know B) Exchange is on a newer version now so I'll look at the 2010 exams once I have my MCSE: Security, possibly with a view to getting or working toward the MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator, although it is probably more likely I'll just get an MCTS in Exchange at the most as I don't work with exhange directly (be more something I was interested in than needed right now).

    Thats just how its worked out for me. If you are keen on getting into a Messaging Team go for the :M. I know a lot of jobs ask for Exchange experience these days.

    You can have :M and :S :D
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2010
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  4. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    I would think so, particularly for a company that is keen on security and/or uses Exchange as their messaging platform.

    I've got both.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
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  5. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    Apr 29, 2010 #5
    Thanks for the replies gents, answers were exactly what I was after. I suppose it would stand out as a little different to some employers. And in this market, standing out is pretty important. And it is only one exam after all.

    If I take both exams does it show as MCSA:S and MCSA:M separately on my transcripts?
     
    Certifications: MCITP:VA, MCITP:EA, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP:EST7, MCITP:SA, PRINCE2, ITILv3
  6. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    It does mate, just remember you need to take 70-298 and not 70-297 for the MCSE: Security. The MCSE: Messaging doesn't mind if you take 297 or 298 as long as you pass one of them.
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  7. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    Apr 29, 2010 #7
    So if I take the 298 I will be prepped for both the MCSA and MCSE Security?
     
    Certifications: MCITP:VA, MCITP:EA, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP:EST7, MCITP:SA, PRINCE2, ITILv3

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