In the years of the dot com boom and bust, the Microsoft MCSE Certification has gotten its eye blackened over an over. Paper Microsoft MCSE's who were excellent at finding brain dumps and passing exams gave the Microsoft MCSE Certification a bad name. What used to be a guarantee of a nice salary is now ridiculed in some ignorant circles. After working in the Information Technology field for twelve years I still believe the Microsoft MCSE Certification is worth every dollar you spend and every hour spent in study and practice. I'll share my history with the Microsoft MCSE Certification and why I still believe it's a valuable certification credential.
My History: Pre Microsoft MCSE
When I started out as a PC LAN Analyst I wanted to someday run my own shop. The best way I felt to get there was to study for the much sought after Novell CNE and Microsoft MCSE Certification. Because I worked in a Novell environment and had no opportunity to work with Windows NT I started on my Novell CNE Certification. I went book by book purchasing them on eBay and reading while I worked a second job. The CNE was also an easier certification to get as the answers to the exam came direct from the books. Microsoft's MCSE Certification exams tend to generalize on the concepts from the books rather than the text verbatim. Once complete with the CNE I had a full understanding of Novell's File Server and their weak attempt at a firewall/web server. I understood archaic technologies like IPX and Token Ring as well as networking technologies used today such as Ethernet, and TCP/IP I at least had enough knowledge to perform well at my job and work as an IT Consultant where I formed my own business Gall Consulting which runs today as a successful income.
After getting my CNE Certification I finally got a job running my own show. I had one Novell 3.12 server which ran the entire company. Within a year we began to work with Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 was just on the scene. I began the lengthy study of the seven Microsoft MCSE exams. When I had completed the Microsoft MCSE certification a year later I was like Yoda around the job. I had a complete set of knowledge about Windows Networking and Windows Applications. Because I completed the entire set of Microsoft MCSE exams and coursework I knew the technology and the theory behind the technology. This led to high performance as a Senior LAN Administrator. Rather than a swiss cheese education I had a thorough understanding of Microsoft Windows technology and could adapt to new situations easily.
NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 MCSE
When Windows 2000 Server and Active Directory was released we faced a problem. My small Novell to small Microsoft NT Domain, had grown to a world wide enterprise with five domains including various trusts going everywhere. DNS was handled by our UNIX group and we had to find a way to learn a new technology, create a single corporate Active Directory Domain and use Dynamic DNS on our Windows Active Directory domain controllers yet co-exist with our UNIX administrators who were none to happy to have to share DNS. Faced with this challenge I returned to what worked in the past. I studied for the Windows 2000 MCSE Certification
As I did before I started at the beginning and worked my way through each course and exam until I had completed my Windows 2000 MCSE Certification. By now I had a great career as an IT Operations Manager and no one was going to hire or pay me extra just for getting my Microsoft MCSE Certification. This is the true value of the certification. It started as my drive to obtain career credentials and became a vehicle to ensure I had an entire breadth of knowledge that would let me take on monumental tasks. Needless to say, today we have a single corporate Active Directory domain with a few sub domains necessary for DMZ areas.
Our DNS works so well the UNIX group asked us to take over and we're able to build on Active Directory as a source of valuable corporate data. My point in this article is to look at the Microsoft MCSE Certification as a way to ensure you have all the knowledge rather than just what's necessary in the short term. Knowing why something works is much more powerful than knowing just enough to build it in the first place the coursework involved in the Microsoft MCSE Certification provides this. I can say without fail, EVERY Information Technology professional I've worked with that had a Microsoft MCSE Certification performed at a MUCH higher level than those who only had on the job experience or had only studied what they needed to complete their daily tasks.
About The Author
John Gall is a full time IT Manager and IT Consultant in Minnesota. He runs several websites as a hobby featuring content similar to that in this article.
http://www.napavalleypictures.com; http://www.napavalleypictures.com; http://www.napavalleypictures.com; http://www.napavalleypictures.com
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
With their solid-state technology, compact size, and abundant memory, portable... Read More
Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More
We all enjoy our favorite screensavers but in the same... Read More
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol that is part... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More
A Computer in Your HandCarrying around an address book and... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More
The year is 1981. IBM has just released the Personal... Read More
File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
Below you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More
Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More
I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More
That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..If you utilize a computer at home or work it... Read More
Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve... Read More
When you turn on your computer, does it act like... Read More
IntroductionMac OS X is the most technologically advanced operating system... Read More
In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all... Read More
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More
How long do you think DVDs have around? 20 years?... Read More
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More
JVC developed and used a high-performance reflective film to produce... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More
In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More
iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market,... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
So you got yourself a digital camcorder. If you want... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
The best way to get the gaming computer that you... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
Personal Technology |