How Useful are microsoft certifications!

Kaybenson

Anyone knows how useful are microsoft trainning courses?

Cheers

PasturesNew

Which ones?

How useful they are depends on what you've done already, what you know now ... the certifications you're going to take, the roles you're after, your location and previous experience.

There are Microsoft certifications in everything from "can use Word" through to "is a full-blown MS Developer who can write entire suites of programmes integrating the entire Office suite" Or what about server management? MCSE for geeky server bods. And more ....

So, which ones?

Just having a bit of paper, if you've never used the stuff before and then look to apply for jobs where they want that bit of paper is a long shot... because there will be lots of people out there with the bit of paper and experience. So which do you have/want and why?

I have a bunch (NT server, NT workstation, Networking) .... never been any use to get a job whatsoever, but they did help me in other jobs to write security policies and help the IT security departments refine profiles for new systems when I worked as IT project manager.

The_IT_Fairy

Depends which Microsoft certifications you're talking about as there are loads. And it depends what you want to do.

The courses for the certifications are expensive, and don't provide all the information that you need. If you're looking at the really technical certifications (MCSA, MCSE, MCDST, MCITP) then unless you have real hands-on, practical experience that you can demonstrate and talk knowledgeably about then the certifications are not considered to have much value - a lot of employers are very wary of the so-called "paper MCSE" who has the certificate but doesn't actually know how to apply the knowledge and skills.

I do very technical server support work and, although the Microsoft certifications are useful to prove that you know what you're talking about, it is very definitely experience that counts. I have a number of Microsoft certifications, and am always (or so it seems!) working towards the next one, and although they may have opened doors to interview they aren't what has got me jobs.

Janet
The IT Fairy

Kaybenson

Thanks Janet and PasturesNew.

I have been hearing about it for years.

I have a degree in multimedia. I have taught mathematics sometimes ago. I have some spare months, so was just thinking of making good use of it hence thinking about certifications.

I have read so many advertisements from some IT trainers claiming that their courses are "juicy" etc.

I need to do few once if it worth it.

Cheers

ihatebt_2

Someone with an MCSE shouldn't have any trouble finding work. Some people claim they have x years experience of Active Directory, yet all they do in their job do is manage user accounts in ADUC. Ask them what the FSMO roles are, you're met with a blank stare.

Just go for the MCSE. After 7 exams, you will know your stuff.

Hammyman

Microsoft Certification means nothing without experience and thanks to the paper MCSEs of the late 1990's, early "Naughties", employers look for experience over certification.

So far you've a mickey mouse degree and no experience in IT so you're going to struggle.

As for ihatebt's claim someone with a MCSE shouldn't have trouble finding work, this is completely wrong. There are plenty of MCSE with years of experience and no job. And "after 7 exams you will know your stuff"? BWAHAHAHA. I, and many IT contractors have spent a great deal of our time at companies sorting out the mess MCSE certified technicians have left behined. And remember MCSE only covers software.

If you want a guarantee'd job, go for Unix certification. There is a strong demand for Unix certified administrators. The pay is also higher.

Kaybenson

Thanks folks.

What about training costs?

sharkie

the vast majority of out workstation team have MCSEs and a few also have CCNAs too (15 in the team). they have difficulty finding jobs.

The problem is real life does not match up to training and unless you use it fairly regularly you forget. Also without experience it is fairly worthless. After 1 month you have forgotten 95% of the course.

These courses are expensive and often you can obtain a cheat sheet for $50 that has 'mock' questions on them. I have heard of a friends friend with little computing experience pass 5 exams,one exam a day as each eve he would read a cheat sheet.

I have met one lady that passed the first 3 exams and (a) did not know how to find her work documents that she created (b) did not know how to move them to a new folder.

If you have the motivation, a certification book (microsoft, sybex etc), virtual box, and going through the free ms on-line pages are hard to beat. Much cheaper than any course, far more deailed, but you have to have self discipline.

The big memory/time/problem saver in IT is google.

Kaybenson

sharkie wrote: »

If you have the motivation, a certification book (microsoft, sybex etc), virtual box, and going through the free ms on-line pages are hard to beat. Much cheaper than any course, far more detailed, but you have to have self discipline.

I dont get the embolden sentence.

Cheers

sharkie

Kaybenson, thanks but, only the but is bold to emphasize (big but) on my screen. the word detailed is misspelt though, but correct in your quote???