Stop with MCSA or keep going to MCSE?
smg1138
Member Posts: 94 ■■□□□□□□□□
I passed 70-291 this week and I just need an elective now to get my MCSA. I had originally planned on going all the way to the MCSE, but now I'm having second thoughts. I'm really more interested in networking and would like to pursue the CCNA next. I know the MCSE is the most recognized certification in IT, but at the same time, the MCITP:EA is replacing the MCSE for the current server OS. Where I'm working now, Server 2008 has pretty much replaced 2003 on most servers. I'm just not sure what to do next. What do you guys think about it?
Comments
My opinion would be to continue to get the MCSE - it is still the most prestigious MS cert and probably will be for another year or so. It is also still highly searched for by job agencies hunting for keywords etc.
It is also my opinion that the MCSE would help give you a more rounded knowledge which in the long run will help you become a more seasoned sysadmin/network engineer.
By all means - take the upgrade from MCSA to MCITP but personally I'm going all out to get MCSE whilst I still can.
I think MCSE and CCNA together would compliment each other nicely.
The Vista exam was a case in point - who uses Windows Mail? Whilst the parental controls are great I haven't used them.
A lot of it is about making you aware of the technologies so that if a situation arises whereby you need to implement something, you might have studied that topic that will give you this knowledge.
I have also had many phone calls about technologies I have not had any exposure to, but other IT staff in the company have and it enables me to understand what they are talking about and communicate effectively.
Knowledge is power - the more you know and understand the better (generally speaking).
I know right. I've always thought MCSE was overkill, but it seems to be the gold standard for being a SysAdmin. I'm really anxious to start on the Cisco stuff pretty soon. Studying for the 291, I constantly found myself having to re-read things because it just didn't hold my interest. Studying DNS is like watching paint dry. I think I just need to pick a good elective to get my MCSA and then see where I want to go from there.
What exactly do you consider "systems engineering"?
Well, people who do systems engineering. Like planning and developing new networks and infrastructure. Not just administering existing systems that somebody else built. I guess there's some disagreement about what constitutes a "systems engineer", but I'm not interested in arguing semantics.
Planning and developing new networks and infrastructure is more of an architect role, not so much a systems engineer.
I agree.
Remember the beauty of certifications is that it teaches you the majority of features available (If not all; sometimes). If you do a Windows Vista course; like you say who uses Windows Mail etc? However it may come in handy and give you more options when trying to fix another problem. Okay I am not talking about Windows Mail specifically, I am just giving an example of knowing features you don't use everyday, which can be utilised at a later date. Otherwise you may not know they exist. You don't want the customer being the first person to introduce you to a new feature/app in an OS (Although it happens sometimes).
To the original post I would pursue your MCSE if you have the time. However if you feel in your place of work, you are really pressed to know Windows Server 2008, then do an upgrade to MCITP from the MCSA. I work in a mixed environment 2003 and 2008, but there isn't a lot of pressure to learn the MCITP server 2008 material yet, as we are not entirely committed to it. We have it in a preliminary stage (But as no doubt a lot of you know, a lot of these trials seem to creep into full production over night, due to a late senior management meeting, and the technicians/admins are the last to know about it!).
Having an MCSE should make the upgrading to the MCITP much much easier as well, as you already know the foundation and can just concentrate on the new features. Yeah, there are some 2003 technologies that you may never use (RRAS comes to mind), but what do you do. It's Microsoft.
With the above said, if your not really looking for a new job and basically are just working on 2008 servers everyday, then stopping at MCSA and going for the new MCITP or even Cisco (if that peaks your interest) might prove to be a better choice. Ultimately it's up to you and what would help your career and/or your performance at your current job.
Either way, good luck!
I think it's more up to the employer and the job title that they use. At my last job I was a Systems Engineer I but I didn't develope or plan any part of the infrastructure, just supported it. At my current job my title is Network Administrator and I'm rebuilding the entire infrastructure from the ground up i.e. servers, workstations, network equipment, everything.
make sure to finish that security+ up before the year is over so it'll be good for life.
Once MCSE 2k3 completed:
WGU: BS in IT, Design/Management
Finish MCITP:EA, CCNA, PMP by end of 2012
After that, take a much needed vacation!!!!!
+1, you have made a good choice. All the best with it.
Plus I want to get Security+ done this year. Either way I have quite the bit of work to do.
You stole the plans right out of my head. I'm doing 291 at the end of June. I want to get Security+ between mid to end of July. I'm confident I will pass given my degree in infosec and familiarity with the material. Then 293 by mid Sept., 294 by mid Nov., and 297 by the end of the year.
2011 is going to be an all Cisco year so I wanted to get MCSE and Sec+ done this year.
I'm also planning the MCDST this year. 2 tests and I think I can get them both done in a about a month. Thats where I'm going after sec+.
EDIT: I'm also not planning an all cisco year next year either. I have cisco tentatively planned for 2012. And even then, CCNA would be more than enough for me.
Why? Just curious.
Because it seems rather easy and is another credential that I can stick on my resume. Plus, being that I'm working service desk right now, a desktop support position is likely my next move. I think I can take down both tests in about a month, maybe less.
Also true.
ROUTE
When considering the upgrades, many people look at the number of exams as opposed to the new content. The new track is relatively easy to obtain with a solid MCSE-level of understanding. The majority of the material is going to be familiar.
I just passed 298 today and I was able to take an exam a month to upgrade from MCSA to MCSE.
The material has already come in handy at work discussing the environment with the Architects as well as having a better overall understanding of how everything fits together.
294 is ESPECIALLY helpful in that regard
I wish you the best of luck!