Microsoft Certification Roundup
by Allan Hoffman
With Microsoft technology pervasive in the workplace, it's no surprise that tech professionals from network engineers to .NET developers often consider earning a Microsoft certification at some point in their careers.
Microsoft's lineup of certifications for information technology professionals includes credentials for help-desk workers to system administrators and beyond. Even seasoned IT pros may be daunted by the variety of certification options Microsoft offers. Fortunately, the company has worked to maintain a straightforward organisation of its credentials, even as the choices and variations continue to evolve.
Certifications for Techies and Their Employers
"When we started with IT certifications in the mid-'90s, there were only a handful of them," says Al Valvano, group product manager for certifications at Microsoft Learning. Now hundreds of IT certifications are available from a variety of vendors and organisations, presenting an almost overwhelming number of options for sometimes-confused techies to consider. Microsoft has responded with certifications designed to serve both IT professionals and the companies employing them, often by targeting specific job roles -- help-desk workers, for instance -- with credentials tailored to them, Valvano says. "It's not one size fits all," he adds.
Valvano sees the company's certifications as a way for IT workers to "validate and demonstrate" their skills in a competitive marketplace as well as show they are "deeply invested" in their careers. "It is a great way to differentiate yourself from your peers," Valvano says.
Know Your Career Goals and Skills
Techies considering certification should assess their career goals before jumping into the certification process. "It's a great idea to have an idea of where you want your career to go," says Valvano. "That's important as a foundation for certification."
The Microsoft Skills Assessment for Individuals helps techies determine where they stand. The tool offers skills assessments for Microsoft products, such as SQL Server and Visual Studio .NET, with recommendations for further learning resources.
Key Credentials
These are Microsoft's certifications for developers, network engineers and other IT professionals:
- Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST): A credential for help-desk and customer-service professionals who troubleshoot PCs in a Microsoft Windows environment.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): An MCSA works on networks and systems in a Windows environment. Options for specialisation include credentials for messaging and security.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): The credential is targeted at IT pros who design and implement Windows infrastructure solutions. As with the MCSA, specialisation options cover messaging and security.
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA): A credential for database professionals who design, implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases.
- Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD): The credential is targeted at developers who work on department-level applications, back-end data services and other software solutions.
- Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD): MCSDs work on more advanced business solutions with Microsoft tools and technologies.
Additional Resources
An entire industry, from exam books to online training, surrounds certification, and choosing the best learning path can be daunting. This is especially true for those seeking Microsoft certifications. As you consider this option, consult these resources:
- Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine: A magazine devoted to Microsoft certification that includes salary surveys and certification advice.
- Microsoft Press: Books with training tips and guidance for Microsoft technologies and certifications.