MCSE vs MCITP [GENERAL CERTIFICATION NEWS]
I get asked pretty regularly by folks looking to get into the Information Technology field or even the ones in there a year or so what makes more sense – getting their MCSE or working toward getting their MCITP certification.
The way I look at it is this – if you’re already started on the MCSE then it makes sense to finish it even if you’re just one or two exams in. The additional reasoning for this is that many corporate environments are still Server 2000 / 2003 mixes or fully blown 2003. There are some that are running Server 2003 with a mix of 2008 and a few that are totally 2008.
The long and short of that is that many will need to have 2000 and 2003 expertise and you can validate that for perspective employers by getting that MCSE finished.
This advise is true for people looking for new opportunities as well. Most places will need to know what your foundation of skills are and this will be shown on your resume and in your work history as well as any certifications you have or are working towards getting.
If you’re already on the way to getting your MCSE and have four or five exams remaining you could buckle down and get them out of the way over the winter and then in the spring of 2010 work toward your MCITP certification.
This will additionally show your current employer or the prospective one that you are always working toward new goals and refreshing your skills by showing that can you methodically move forward as new technologies release.
So my opinion is – if you’re started on the MCSE get it wrapped up and start your efforts on the MCITP.
If you’re completely new to the IT field that’s a little tougher to answer because you’re looking at a full year of time invested in getting the MCSE in theoretical study and on the job experience and then you’d have to start again on the MCITP program once you completed the MCSE; you could be looking at a good two years of part time study after work and occasionally on the weekend to get it done and to do it right.
It’s a lot of effort but I would still recommend the same at this point – get the MCSE first and then go to MCITP.
I would keep this recommendation until the end of 2010 (best guess) when I feel that enough Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 systems move out of corporate environments. After that time it might now really be worth while to get the MCSE and it will really be on the downward slope of the technology retirement track.
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