Be Certifiable! The Basics Of MCSE And MCP

It is not always who you know, but what you know. That is why obtaining Microsoft certification can be a valuable asset to your career. Of course, it does depend on what career path you want to take as to whether you want to get either MCSE training or MCP training or anything else for that matter. So what do those abbreviations MCSE and MCP stand for anyway?

MCP stands for Microsoft Certified Professional and MCSE is an abbreviation for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. What exactly does having a Microsoft certification mean anyway? We know that it looks good on a resume and opens new doors in your career. Did you know that being certifiable - in Microsoft anyway - sometimes will also boost your pay? Experience counts for a lot, but having a Microsoft certification or two does not hurt either!

So what does it take to be and MCP or MCSE? Lots of studying! The MCP courses and MCP exams are geared toward a more rounded technical professional. Candidates for MCP must pass one current certification test from Microsoft. Passing one of the exams demonstrates that the candidate has a consistent level of technical expertise.

With the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer path, there are MCSE boot camps that help prepare candidates for the MCSE exams. These MCSE boot camps are intense classes often packed into a full two week period instead of the traditional weekly MCSE training classes in preparation for the MCSE exams. This path is more involved. MCSE certification is standard in the IT field and prepares you for anything from the design of a system?s infrastructure to analyzing the company?s needs before implementing a design.

Unlike those individuals who take the MCP training to prepare for MCP exams, students of MCSE have a course of study that is more intense. Instead of one test to prepare for, they have seven tests that they are required to pass to get their Microsoft certification. Yikes! Seven! They have five main exams to take as well as two electives. The five required MCSE exams are broken down into four operating system exams and one design exam. The two electives typically deal with other issues in design and implementation not covered in the five core tests.

After learning a few basics, it is easy to see that the MCP or Microsoft Certified Professional is really just a stepping stone to bigger and greater things in the world of Microsoft certification. The individuals who go for the MCP have a leg up on those peers who have no technical experience. They will have a better grasp on technical issues and usually stay a step ahead of trends. The MCSE is more specialized and appeals to the techno geek with a penchant for design and implementation. They like knowing how stuff works. So market yourself and become certifiable!

James Croydon, Microsoft Certified Professional and MCSE Certification Online advisor - focusing on MCSE Courses Online and Boot Camp MCSE

Microsoft Vista Certification Exams Announced

Microsoft has announced the first MS Vista certifications exams.   Learn about Microsoft's newest certifications from Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933.

Microsoft Vista certification is on the way, and Microsoft recently announced the first Vista exams. In keeping with trends in certification, these particular exams are designed for different job roles.  These exams are scheduled to be released in "early 2007", according to Microsoft's website:

MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional - "Consumer Support Technician" and "Enterprise Support Technician" certifications

MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist - "Windows Vista, Configuration"

Unfortunately, there are no blueprints or details available right now detailing the differences between the Consumer Support and Enterprise Support certifications.

Those of you who were around when MS went to Server 2000 may remember that MS announced what some considered a hasty end to the NT 4.0 certification.  This time around, Microsoft's website makes a point of saying that "although progressive organizations will adopt Windows Vista immediately, Windows XP will continue to be a driving force in IT for years to come".   MS hasn't announced any further information how Vista will affect XP or Server certifications, but I suspect they won't be quite as fast to stop supporting earlier certifications.

Microsoft does make some recommendations to candidates currently working on their MCDST certification.   If you're working on that cert, visit the Microsoft Learning website to read more. 

Even if your organization is happy with their current network operating system, you should still be making long-term plans to get certified in Microsoft Vista.  The first step in assuring yourself of a long career in IT is planning to meet changes and challenges along the way.  Nothing stays the same, especially in networking!   

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of over 200 free certification exam tutorials, including CCNA certification training articles. His exclusive CCNA study guide is also available!Visit his blog and sign up for Cisco Certification Central, a daily newsletter packed with CCNA, Network+, Security+, A+, and CCNP certification exam practice questions! A free 7-part course, ?How To Pass The CCNA?, is also available, and you can attend an in-person or online Cisco CCNA training boot camp with The Bryant Advantage!

 

The History of Microsoft Certifications - Now and Then

When Microsoft announced recently that the new generation of Microsoft Certifications had just arrived, they inevitably made one stop for a moment remembering how all started and evolved throughout history with over 10 years of certifications to date.

Ten seems to be a determined number in the new generation of certification provided by the leading Internet company than the last year, also announced the new MCA, the Microsoft training practical exam, which is graded by a board of examiners.

As no written exam, the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) requires at least 10 years experience in IT, and 3 years of practical experience as a network architect to apply. With this panorama, only a very few IT professionals are ready to apply for a MCA certification.

Although, Microsoft is constantly reviewing all Microsoft Certifications available since the early days when those certifications were designed to respond to the needs of companies and hiring managers for customer support in the workplace.

Among the old certifications under review, we can name some Microsoft training, such as the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000, which candidates are required to pass 3 core exams and 1 elective exam to get the certification.

Other certifications, like the acclaimed MCSE Certification and MCSE training that everybody loves, is about to become a thing of the past, when a series of specialization exams and IP Professional certification tracks take its place with a new approach to qualify as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Most of the new Microsoft Certifications consist of 3 series and 4 credentials, providing a simpler Microsoft training, and more targeted framework for IT managers in order to validate core technical skills, architectural skills and professional skills, as true professionals in the IT industry.

Microsoft's new certification structure will be able to guarantee a more flexible, relevant, and cost-effective way to showcase IT professionals skills and, according them, such structure will be fully implemented with the next Windows server/client version.

In the past, Microsoft certifications and Microsoft training were not as specific and targeted like they are going to be now, and either reflected the detail of what a IT certified professional could do. Certifications were part of a learning process but not originally intended to prove expertise to those who needed to measure your technical proficiency

Contrary to the past, Microsoft has planned extensive support for those IT professional holding old certifications, making easier the transition to the new generation of certifications.

Whether MCSE training, MCSE Certification or any of the mew Microsoft certifications that may impact your career, you must be aware of these changes in Microsoft training, because update your credentials is a must in the competitive and challenging world of IT.Natalie Aranda writes about training and technology