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!
Mcse: Equipping You to Meet Latest Challenges
Microsoft Certified System Engineer’ that’s what you would proudly call yourself after attaining this highly acclaimed certification module on offer from Microsoft.
MCSE is one of the most popular and premiere Microsoft certification standard, after securing which an individual is recognized to be able to analyse the business requirements for information system solutions, as well as design and implement the necessary infrastructure as required.
According to the latest reports, the MCSE program is available for Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 product lines. Each requiring different set exams to be cleared to secure a certificate in the same.
For MCSE 2000, a candidate needs to pass five core papers, constituted by four papers operating system and one on design, and two elective papers. In attaining an MCSE 2003 certificate, a candidate must pass six core design exams (or papers), including four networking exams, one client operating system and one design exam, as well as one elective.
Although not offered now, MCSE NT 4.0 is still considered a valid certification. To secure this certification a candidate needs to pass four core exams including network security, computer networking infrastructure, active directory, Microsoft SQL server, Microsoft Exchange server, and other topics on both general networking interests as well as some specific Microsoft products.
With the long established dominance of Microsoft and its range of products, there lies little to think about the utility of a MCSE certified professional in a corporate architecture where right networking and information flow architecture plays significant role in business propagation.
Proud MCSE professionals make their destiny as well as of the business process they are involved with.
Better Paid As A Certified Systems Engineer
MCSE is a widely known certification provided by Microsoft Corporation and stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers. This certification provides a qualitative impetus to your resume in the Information Technology field. MCSE engineers are known to get good offers financially compared to other engineers of equivalent education.
The certification qualifies a person to analyze the business requirements and find solutions in information systems, and the individual is able to design and implement the infrastructure required. MCSE is available in two streams Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Both the streams have different sets of examinations. The certification is suitable for most engineers and analysts and is especially suitable for systems engineers & analysts and Network engineers & analysts.
The objective of MCSE is to provide the individual with knowledge such as:
Pin pointing the tasks involved in supporting Windows 2000/2003 networks.
Knowing the network concepts and how to implement it in Windows 2000/2003.
Gaining the knowledge of how to configure Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 Professional on stand-alone computers and on client computers, and to install configure windows 2000/2003 Server.
Gain the knowledge and skills in designing a Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 directory service and infrastructure.
MCSE Windows 2000
For MCSE 2000 certification the candidate has to pass seven exams. The exams include four operating exams, one design exam and two electives. The subjects span syllabus such as installing, configuring and administering Windows 2000, implementing & administering Windows 2000 Network and Windows 2000 infrastructure.
MCSE Windows Server 2003
For MCSE Windows Server 2003 certification, the candidate must qualify seven exams. The exams include four networking exams, one client operating system, one design exam and one elective exam. The syllabus includes network infrastructure & security, SQL server, active directory, Microsoft products etc.
TRAINING
MCSE training is very intensive, time consuming and requires a lot of hard work. Many aspirants are not able to appear exams in the stipulated time. There are many ways to prepare for the examinations such as MSCE classes, boot camps, online study guides and practice exams. Many candidates prefer to approach local MCSE training centers. These training centers help the candidates in course work and practical sessions professionally and help the candidates in exam and career oriented study.
The candidates must be aware of the practical applications, Microsoft products and services since the aspirants face multi-level testing on design implementation and administration skills in Microsoft Windows platform.
BENEFITS OF MCSE
MCSE is the most specialized certifications available today. It provides industry recognition and expertise in Microsoft products and technologies. As per Fairfield Research survey on MCSE, the certification provides a 12.6% rise in salary on an average. MCSE holders can also directly access technical and product information from Microsoft through the MCP Member site. There are spinoff benefits such as invitation to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions and special events etc.