Contemplating MCSA

[wabob]

Hi everybody! I am new to this forum, for the first time I am pondering a Microsoft certification.

I have worked in I/T for six years now. I do mostly networking and WAN for a large manufacturing facility. I currently hold the CCNA and Network+ certifications. But I am thinking an MCSA might help my market value, as well as allow me to expand my horizons.

I would like to become more knowledgeable about servers and Active Directory. I am not allowed to touch the servers at my jobsite, and maybe an MCSA would change that. I ruled out the MCSE, as it requires too many exams, and I do not do a lot of Desktop repair anyways.

Is this worth my time and money to pursue? If so, what order of exams should I take?

Any advice would be appreciated.



"We know now we can't beat their machines. We've got to beat THEM."
Dr. Clayton Forrester

 

[NickFerrar]

Well by the sounds of your situation it would only help you if you either get agreement that you could do server support after passing the MCSA or jobs you'd be looking to move to require an MCSA.

My experience of certs & jobs is experience means more than certs but certs will give you the edge over equally experienced applicants.

If your company will pay for it then it's obviously worth doing regardless. Starting with an MCSA is a good idea but I wouldn't rule out going for the MCSE afterwards, it's not many more exams and the MCSE is a more recognised cert in the job market.

 

[mrdenny]

MCSE is not for Desktop support. The MCSE covers designing and setting up Active Directory, while the MCSA covers maintaining Active Directory (for the most part, there is some overlap).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005) / MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com