MCSA Certification for Not Yet Techies

"Computer Careers: New Certification from Microsoft that Shows Great Promise for Helping You Get Started with High Tech Jobs Before You Pass All MCSE Exams"

by Richard Stooker, President Info Ring Press and author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career

MCSA certification from:

MCSA certification comes from Microsoft. MS of course is a top consumer and business software company seeking dominance of the networking field. Its MCSE certification has been considered *the* top certification for at least 4 years. Its MCSA certification is a midway cert.

An experienced MCSE is overqualified for most networking jobs. They know how to design and implement new networks as well as administer and troubleshoot problems in existing networks, but putting in new networks is not as needed as maintaining them, so the Microsoft MCSA certification covers more jobs.

Many companies have already established their networks. They just want qualified people to keep them running on a day to day basis. I'm speculating here, but I believe they let Microsoft know that they don't want to pay MCSEs inflated salaries for knowing how to design and implement networks when the companies don't need them to have those skills -- just administer existing networks. That is the knowledge the MCSA certification tests.

That's my theory, but the important thing is that MCSA certification is quickly becoming a "hot" certification. Why not? It's easier and cheaper to get than an MCSE and yet qualifies holders to perform the most common networking job.

And of course, once you have some network administration experience, you can always work to move up to greater and more lucrative responsibilities. The MCSA certification is designed as a convenient stepping stone to an MCSE.

Type of Microsoft MCSA certification for computer careers:

Vendor

MCSA certification worth it?

Standard disclaimer:

Whether or not any certification is "worth it" is an individual decision. You alone must decide what your career goals and needs are.

Look at certifications from a cost/benefit or Return On Investment (ROI) basis. If they help you get a better paying job or make more money at your current job, they are obviously "worth it."

The problem is, there is no real way of measuring how much you can expect your income to go up as a result of any given certification. It also depends on non-related job search skills such as how well you network.

Background:

The MCSA certification is based on Windows 2000. According to Microsoft, it "proves that you have the skills to successfully implement, manage, and troubleshoot the ongoing needs of Microsoft Windows® 2000–based operating environments, including Windows .NET Server."

According to CertCities.com, MCSA is the *hottest* certification of 2002.

All MCSA certification exams count toward your MCSE, so the obvious strategy for you to follow is to:

Obtain A+ and Network+ or Server+ certifications -- because Microsoft accepts them in place of one MCSA elective and they provide you with a broad and solid vendor-neutral foundation in basic computer hardware and networking skills recognized and in demand by many employers
Pass the 3 MCSA Core exams
Start job hunting for a systems administrator job
Take and pass the remainder of the MCSE exams
Get a better job or ask for a raise
Expand your skills with other related certifications such as MCDBA, RHCE, CCNA etc.

The required MCSA certification exams are:

Pass ONE of the following tests:
- Exam 70-210—Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional. Or:
- Exam 70-270—Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
Pass ONE of the following tests:
- Exam 70-215—Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Or:
- Exam 70-275—Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows .NET Server
Pass ONE of the following tests:
- Exam 70-218—Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment Or:
- Exam 70-278—Managing a Microsoft Windows .NET Server Network Environment

Although MCSEs should know everything included in the MCSA, Microsoft advises MCSEs to get the MCSA certification if they are currently systems administrators. I don't quite see the point but if you are currently an MCSE and systems administrator check with your current employer.

Next: MCP certifications

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