Employers and MCITP

Talic

Have you guys heard anything from employers brushing off Server 2008 / Vista tracks because they use servers with 2003?

I'm thinking about starting some MS certs and I'm worried about that employers don't really care about the new certs because they are using older software.

darkerosxx

I could see that happening. People who don't know about the technology just see it as a different OS.

Having said that, if you're looking at starting MS certs, I would suggest you start with 2003 unless you're targetting businesses that use bleeding-edge technology. It won't hurt you and it's much easier to go from MCSE 2003 to MCITP:2008(one upgrade exam) than it is to go from MCITP:2008 to MCSE 2003(which requires you take all the old certs).

astorrs

Actually it's at least 2.

1 MCSE 2003 upgrade exam, plus either the PRO:Server Administrator exam or the PRO:Enterprise Administrator exam (assuming you take 70-620 during the MCSE).

dynamik

When are you expecting to use it? If it's not going to be for a couple of years, start with 2008.

Talic

dynamik wrote:

When are you expecting to use it? If it's not going to be for a couple of years, start with 2008.

The thing is, I'm not sure. I'm looking for entry level positions right now and if that doesn't work I may be looking at just going to college.

RobertKaucher

Talic wrote:

dynamik wrote:

When are you expecting to use it? If it's not going to be for a couple of years, start with 2008.

The thing is, I'm not sure. I'm looking for entry level positions right now and if that doesn't work I may be looking at just going to college.

Cannot say that is a bad idea.

The few people I have spoken to who are looking at migrating have older server hardware that is running 2000. Their infrastructure is old and is getting to the point that it does not serve their business needs well. These tend to be smaller companies (80 or less users and just a few servers). Larger companies I have contact are intending on bringing 2008 on board but will remain at the 2003 functional level because they have highly productive machines that will continues to function for another 5+ years.

HR departments may not see the benefit of MCITP for a while because they tend not to understand the true value of certification. For them it simply proves a cetain amount of knowledge concerning the subject matter, but certification can mean much more than just that. To sum it up, if you want a good entry level position, go for MCSA and then upgrade to MCITP: SA or EA.

preecy

Talic wrote:

dynamik wrote:

When are you expecting to use it? If it's not going to be for a couple of years, start with 2008.

The thing is, I'm not sure. I'm looking for entry level positions right now and if that doesn't work I may be looking at just going to college.

Assuming you're not one of these geniuses who can pass two exams in a week and become an MCSE or MCITP in under a month... then why not start with the Vista exam (70-620). This should help you secure a entry level position (ie: desktop support, 1st level helpdesk, etc). It's also less technical than the other exams (my personal beleif). From here you can either go for your MCSE 2003 or MCTIP (SE/EA) 2008, either way that exam will take you one step closer to either qualification.

Personally, unless you already have some of the exams which earn you the MCSE 2003 status, i'd go the 2008 route. A lot of what you will learn from 2008 will be applicable to 2003. You just need to take note of the new features/roles which were introduced in 2008 and arent available in 2003 (ie: rodc's, hyper-v, nps, etc).

Talic

preecy wrote:

Talic wrote:

dynamik wrote:

When are you expecting to use it? If it's not going to be for a couple of years, start with 2008.

The thing is, I'm not sure. I'm looking for entry level positions right now and if that doesn't work I may be looking at just going to college.

Assuming you're not one of these geniuses who can pass two exams in a week and become an MCSE or MCITP in under a month... then why not start with the Vista exam (70-620). This should help you secure a entry level position (ie: desktop support, 1st level helpdesk, etc). It's also less technical than the other exams (my personal beleif). From here you can either go for your MCSE 2003 or MCTIP (SE/EA) 2008, either way that exam will take you one step closer to either qualification.

Personally, unless you already have some of the exams which earn you the MCSE 2003 status, i'd go the 2008 route. A lot of what you will learn from 2008 will be applicable to 2003. You just need to take note of the new features/roles which were introduced in 2008 and arent available in 2003 (ie: rodc's, hyper-v, nps, etc).

So going for the 70-620 would help me in the short term with help desk and other entry level stuff? That sounds like something I should of went for earlier. I could apply MCTS to my resume I assume without the other MCTS exams?

I remembered a post a while ago about someone that got brushed off for a raise after getting hes MCITP rather then a MCSE. It got me worried with some of the dumbass HR people out there that they wouldn't recognize someone with a MCTIP:EA has the same qualifications as a MCSE person.

I think I'll take my chances with the newer certs, if anyone has anything to say about it I can hopefully explain it to them.

darkerosxx

In the corporate world, in most cases, things have to get approved. If it's approved to get a raise for MCSE, but not MCITP, that's just how it is until it gets approved.

I don't think you'll be hurting yourself by going for 2008 certifications. If anything, it shows you care enough about new technology to learn it, which isn't a bad thing.

nicklauscombs

Another thing which may help it get recognized on resumes for now is instead of just putting MCITP: Server Adminstrator or Enterprise Administrator add something like (Windows Server 200 at the end

Daniel333

Several things need to be considered with the MCITP/MCTS title.

MCSE had a decade long branding advantage. How many IT departments have trained their HR people to change their searching methods? How has Microsoft helped in this?

Non-technical people need a title, something they can have confidence in that means "this person knows what they are doing" even when they themselves don't know what they are asking for. This is very true in small/medium business.

My job, and many others are still running legacy clients/server such as NT4, 2000 and Novell. It will take years for them to consider upgrading to 2008.

Given that world wide, lower powered PCs are in style, such as the EEE etc. Don't expect Vista/2008 to be gaining much ground, quickly.

Finally, with many shops that are flexible enough in their application support model to migrate operating systems, they are considering Linux solutions now. Decreasing the install base of Windows even more as they retire their XP/2003 infrastructure. Which is turns farther lowers the value of the MCITP/MCTS title against it's predecessors.

Ultimately, yes. Employers are over looking the MCITP/MCTS titles.

Monster.com Search
MCITP - 44 postings
MCTS - 66 postings
MCSE - 1899 postings

dynamik

Daniel, you should update those every month. It'd be interesting to see how that changes over time. I would do it, but I know I'll just forget

undomiel

Last study I saw (which may have been a while ago, I can't remember) showed that Windows and Linux were eating away at the Unix market and not necessarily each other's markets.

Kasor

Remember that certification is good to have and enhance your opportunity to competite with other. However, IT job experience is what you should focus and not the certification.

If you have MCITP and SVR 2003 job experience, which will balance out the opportunity. However, if you only have SVR 2003 certification and no real experience. You still didn't achieve anything because you didn't move to your objective or higher career path.

BeerBelly

For CERTS do 2008 - good to be up to date and cert is up to date longer - also will have an edge as more compnanies use it.

As well as that THOUGH, I would play with some 2003 servers if not already, so you are at least familar with them in the real world. Depends on the size of the company you are joining and what technology they use. Having MCTIP can;t hurt!

Myself for exams: have been in IT since NT4, but choosing to do Win 2008 certs now as I specialise in Citrix and can see knowing TS 2008 and Hyper V an advantage, but aside from that, didn't want to do 2003 for it to be retired or do another 2 upgrade exams in the next 12 months anyway.

Especially as VM and Citrix guys are now becoming 'Virtual Guys' - need to cross train!

Depends on your goals - if first job, than smaller companies will mainly be on win 2003/2000 as someone else posted.