MCSA VS MCSE

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What's the route towards MCSA and are there any advantages to going the MCSA route than going the MCSE route.

i.e job satisfaction, vacancies?


My IT manager said I should keep my options open, when i asked what he ment. He let slip that the Dept was to be shaken up and gave me that speech about last in first out

He asked what plans I had about the future where do I see myself in 5 years time???

Blimey I thought to myself I can't remember what happened last week let alone think where I will be in five years time. It's just too far in the future. Besides I have just started out in IT , I thought.

You've got to learn to walk before you can run

I was thinking of doing MCDST after my A+ and then going onto MCSA. But he seemed to think MCSE would be a better choice?

The guys in Networking only have a cert in A+. No N+ or MCSE.

What? I can't believe it I said how did they get a job in networking without the Certs?

IT Manager - Right place, right time! They learn't networking from a book and from making mistakes.

Anyway, just want to get some feedback.

What's the role of a MCSA like?

What's the role of a MCSE role like?

 

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UCM,

I would definitely stick with your original training plan of A+, MCDST, MCSA. Don't go rushing your training just because your manager is acting in a highly unprofessional manner and causing you unnecessary worries.

If there are plans for a department shake up then it should be communicated through the necessary channels and not via whispers and hear say. Personally I take anything like this with a pinch of salt.

With regards to the MCSA and MCSE, if you complete your MCSA then provided you have the relevant modules, you only need to do 3 more exams before you are an MCSE. So I would suggest completing your MCSA anyway because it forms a large chunk of the MCSE.

HTH

 

UCHEEKYMONKEY,

Here's Microsoft's answer to your question. Post back if you've got any further questions.

Source:

1. MCSA vs. MCSE: Which Certification is Right for You? - http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/mcsa_mcse.mspx

 

Thanks Stoney!

How long have you being doing your MCSA?

 

Thanks Mate!

I did visit MS.com website to find out about the MCSA.

But with all MS products I take their reviews with a pinch of salt and prefer to get feedback from IT people who are in the job or studying it!

 

"Have at least one year of experience implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems. "

Are they referring to setting up AD accounts in that statement?


how can get one year's experience in networking operating systems unless your in the job already and then if your were would you really need MCSA?

 

UCM maybe you manager is causing alarm bells to ring or maybe he isnt. Bottom line is you may need to get an act together mate.. If suddenly you in a position where you job hunting you might have a few problems. how long you been on this A+? Yes you need to have experience to do the MCSA but i didnt have much and 1 1/2 years later i got mine and MCDST.

As with regards to the other guys certs mean nothing - if you know how to be CCIE the paper will only back up what you know - so if these guys know their stuff day in and day out then they ok - EXPERIENCE!

I think you need to do this A+ quickly and start adding more knowledge and certs behind you so you dont end up in the queue (LIFO - sorry mate too much programming on the plane for me! )

 

It would be a big mistake to think that certs are the be all and end all when it comes to IT. Experience counts a hell of a lot more than any certification does and the fact that these guys only have A+ certs doesn't really mean anything when it comes down to it.

It's good to have certs to back up the knowledge and experience you already have they may well give you the edge over another person who didn't have certs but had similar experience (eg in an interview or on your CV).

I think the recent upsurge in these IT training companies are partly to blame for the perception amongst some of certifications. All their marketing consists of simple messages like gain this cert and earn 30k + a company car. For a very lucky few it might work like that, but for the majority it doesn't. It takes hard work and dedication to build up your experience and reap the rewards of this further down the line.

I'm not having a go at you btw Monkey, I just thought I'd have a rant on this topic.

 

Some Valid points brought up here.

Cert's could be compared to a driving licence - it certifies you to carry out what you have been tested on. If I won the lottery and bought a Ferrari, would I let anyone drive it because they had a licence - no way!

I have seen a lot of networking jobs advertised wherby the equipment you will be working with is specified in the job role.

Example recently;

Network support person required for business environment of 300 computers. You will need a good understanding of AD (and Group Policy deployment), Exchange, RRAS, and Cisco routing. MCSE/CCNA an advantage.

Si

 

Thanks for the advice Zimbo, I guess I better get my skates on!

I bought my first A+ book back in July 2006, although I signed up with CF in May 2006. I didn't really start studying until September 2006. So it's been it's been 8 months on and off studying.

I started this job as voluntary work back in August 2006.

So no! Not much IT under my belt.

Well I guess I am going to have to go into Hibantion and stop socialising on CF If I want to make ago of MCSA.

Cheers Everyone for the advice!!

 

Good luck monkey, get that A+ nailed mate.

Keep us updated.

 

Thanks Mate

 

Already have Sparky!

It's the first thing I did after I passed my Hardware Exam, well actually probably the second if you count Drinking beer to celebrate my pass as the first

Anyway my OS exam for A+ is in May.

I know the norm round here is to go onto N+ from A+ but I was thinking of going this route:-

A+ > MCDST > MCSA.

Anyway, thanks for the support!

 

Thanks Arroryn, Wow that Certforums Badge sure does look cool against your name.

Yes, I am not sure what to make of my manager or some of the other managers in the Dept. Somedays it feels like they are throwing scraps of information at you when you ask them a question about Networks or Software.

 

You may want to still consider the N+ before going down the MCSA route Monkey. It's very helpful when it comes to some of the more advanced networking concepts.