MCSA or MCSE?

marilyn

Hi! I passed 70-215 yesterday! And I passed 70-210 on August 17th. I passed Exchange and Proxy electives back in 2000. I possess the MCSE NT 4.0 MCSE since 1999 and the A+. I have only 1-1/2 years as a Network Admin and Desktop Support Specialist. I am a 48 year old female, and took a job as a Business Analyst at an aerospace company, then got laid off on 9/20. So now I'm studying for the MCSE -- but just discovered all I have to do is take 70-218 and I am an MCSA!! I do feel administration is better for me than design, but if I take three months to take 70-216, 70-217 and 70-219 (or whatever design) I can market myself as a Systems Engineer -- but is that practical for a 48 year old female? Every job I take I get stuck with admin stuff. The job market is so tight right now -- I am getting no calls or interview requests. Back in 1999 I was in demand, a new MCSE and no experience. Any advice from the audience out there? Thanks!

Pavlov

First off, welcome to TechExams and congratulations on your passes:D

I can appreciate your dilemna. I am sort of in the same boat. I have almost 5 years of LAN/WAN support experience and have jobs ranging from tech support to manager of client services. I've been out of work for almost a year now. Granted I haven't been looking hard as I was focusing on obtaining the MCSE, but the market is tight everywhere right now. Use the time to continue your studies. The more you have the better you'll be. The 218 exam is a combination of the 210, 215, 216 and a bit of 217 all twisted and approached from the perpsective of: "this is the MS technology that has been configured and this is how it's been configured, so how come it isn't working?". Mostly troubleshooting. I used 218 as an elective towards the MCSE and picked up the MCSA as sort of a resting spot along the climb to MCSE

marilyn

Thanks for the advice! I decided on the W2K MCSE, I'll study 40+ hours a week for three months, see where I am in December. I'm going to use MS Training Kit and home network for a few weeks, then start intense studying -- what do you recommend? Thanks

Pavlov

Since you already have 210 adn 215, I would study for 217 next and then 219. They cover the same material. 219 is presented in case study format. Then do 218 and come back to 216. They call 216 the beast for a reason But then 216 and 221 are related in the same way that 217 is to 219.

Does any of this makes sense

marilyn

Yes, thank you. That is the sequence I will attempt. But if all this studying doesn't lead to a great job, then it's all in vain and I've jeopardized my financial status and emotional health. Just being certified doesn't seem to impress employers anymore. Becoming an MCT sounds good, but by the time I jump through all those hoops, a completely new operating system will be all the rage and MSoft will demand I certify in that track to teach it. Plus I may have to move back to Pennsylvania. All this studying makes one crazy!!!

Pavlov

Hang in there marilyn! You can do this!

How's your study plan coming along?

Just checking in on ya'

Legacy User

Hi Forum and Pavlov:
I did try to send a post the day I passed, but was unsuccessful. Anyway, 70-217 was a breeze, passed it a month after 70-215. Now I'm studying for 70-216, and the studying is laborious because I am not intensely interested in the subject(s) and I keep hearing how hard The Beast is, and I feel it is futile to use my old methods of studying for this test. I've downloaded some **** cheats and practice tests, and I have the test scheduled for December 6th. Any advice on how to really grasp these concepts and pass the test? I am working on a home network and using the Training Kit so far. Thanks!