Whats the difference between an MCSE and an MCSA?

[Paulst30]

Just as the title suggests, but i have the chance of doing one or the other and dont want to screw up my chances by doing the wrong one.

I hope to be based in an organisation rather than a travelling IT Support person if that helps.

Cheers

[OBonio]

Systems Administrator - Manages the systems
Systems Engineer - Designs and implements the systems.

Thought you'd done the MCSE already?

[Paulst30]

No i was thinking about it, I'm an MCDST, the lesser qualification to these.

I just dont want to waste anymore time, i'm already 29 going on 30 this year lol

[OBonio]

Personally I'd go for the MCSE. Much more interesting.

I'm looking MCSD myself. Or a degree... not sure which. Or if I've got the time lol.

[abranei]

The MCSA is a halfway point before reaching the full MCSE qualification.

As you know you achieve MCP status once you pass a product exam like Windows Server. The next level will MCSA by taking the exams to make up the MCSA track. After this you take a few more exams to get the MCSE cert

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/def ault.mspx

[Llamatron]

I work in an IT department and I've seen many techies come and go. I can honestly say that qualifications mean jack.

We currently have one techy with an MCSE but I'd rate most of our unqualified techies over him any day. We've had kids in on work experience with more knowledge and ability. When we get consultants in those that are Microsoft qualified tend to have very narrow fields of expertise and don't seem particularly adept at what they do know.

Unfortunately without qualifications it's very difficult to prove to prospective employers that you know what you say you do.

Give me experience any day. Of course the catch 22 is that you need the job to get the experience.

Good luck.

[Paulst30]

I appreciate your comments Llamatron and your absolutely right theres nothing on paper that can overcome good old experience.

I know more than i can be taught in a class well maybe not all but i do know a fair share of things that will probably never be covered in a classroom. My problem is that because i dont have it on paper i get nowhere, i have no decent previous reference because i changed careers a few years ago and they all only know me for admin work.

I am actually employed as IT Support in the NHS but i work alone and am responsible for a Windows 2000 Server and Exchange but when its all maintained by an outside organisation mostly its hard to really get a chance to have a good look at it.

I think cause i work alone its hard to feed off people and gauge the right path according to what others have done.

Never mind i'm sure i'll get there.

[abranei]

Llamatron - I hear your answer all the time. People expect MCSE's to be some sort of Guru's and gods of IT and thats not the case.

Certification provides a learning framework for IT pros who want to learn the technologies and then have that base knowledge certified.

For employers the MCSE or other qualifications show a baseline understanding of the products or technologies. Sadly many MCSE's are "Paper MCSE's" people who have done crash courses that teach you just enough to pass the exams but fall short of teaching the full content. A strong technical test will weed out candidates that dont really have the qualifications.

I agree that quality experience comes over quals but if the experience and quals comes in one candidate then your better off with the quals and experience. Quals get you through the door and into the interview.

Dont forgot IT managers or senior IT Pro's are v busy people and If an they have limited time as is often the case 10 CV's of similar background will be weed down as much as poss before the interviews start. One of the weeding criteria could be those CV's have no Certs then the employer may been those CV's. This does depend on the employers and their perception of certs. Either way if you have them great if not then it doesnt matter.

I would question you work colleges MCSE if he is ask bad as your saying he is. Employers often do little background checks on candidates quals and poor technical testing fails to identify the those people.

In short every little bit helps!

[Paulst30]

Well i'm one of those people who when told something cant just accept it the way its said to me, i have to expand on it. So they would have a hard time trying to rush me through it.

Maybe i'm too honest, however lying on a CV will only get you found out later after you cause serious damage when asked to interegate a database you know nothing about, or worse.

I might be old school but i'd rather earn the respect from fellow IT pro's in the long term than try to step on thier heads to get a quick high paid salary. i don't mind starting all over as an assistant, knowledge is power and when i'm ready to do the MCSE i'd rather be experienced than just be classed as a paper MCSE.

[abranei]

Paulst30 - Yeah thats what I'm saying you already work in IT so you should do the MCSE track as it provides a leaning framework and can further your career.

Since your already dealing with Windows Server and Exchange then the MCSE/MCSA track is what you need.

Experience and quals are best!

[jhonsoncraig]

As every body Knows that MCSE stands for Microsoft certified solution expert, and MCSA stands for Microsoft certified solution associate. But what is the real difference between them can be understand by visiting the following Link:
http://www.freedumps.info/
I hope it will help You.
Best of Luck.