Comments on: Windows Server 2008 Certifications – Death to the MCSE

By: Got MCSE ? why not go straight for MCITP ? The answer is inside « iNetwork, Got Net ?

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:27:16 +0000

[...] your first micrsoft certification, This article, comprised of 3 parts( Which can viewed separately here , here and here ), will help you understand the meaning of upgrading to MCITP , will give you some [...]

By: Hitesh Goyal

Hitesh Goyal — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:52:35 +0000

Hi,
This article really helped me in understanding Certification track of Windows server 2008. Many Thanks for this.

By: Kasia Grabowska

Kasia Grabowska — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:48:49 +0000

Hi Md. Ataul,

You can find out more about the Server 2008 MCITP (no longer MCSE) certifications here: http://windowsserver.trainsignal.com/mcitp-certifications

By: Md. Ataul Islam

Md. Ataul Islam — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:33:00 +0000

I have passed MCSE 2003 But now i want to need MCSE 2008.. How i can do that…? just only Microsoft 70-649 exam will be enough for up gradation for MCSE 2008.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:06:39 +0000

i’m working on MCSA 2003, i’ll be writting the 70-620,70-284-70-290 and 70-291. i’m not too sure if i should the rest of the exams to be MCSE 2003 then upgrade to MCITP 2008 enterprise, or server administrator. is it also advissable for me to just persue a Degree thather then certification?

By: Stowy

Stowy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:56:10 +0000

p.s

The TrainSignal courses rock. I use alot of them and recommend these to anybody. I have not found better training videos anyplace.

- Stowy in NC

By: Stowy

Stowy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:53:59 +0000

I am an old MCSE – NT 3.51. Upgraded to 4.0 then never took another test because I was in a high level position for 12 years. Recently I began a new job search and you would have thought I had no experience (when talking with headhunters). I am a high-level guy and finally looked elsewhere for employment – other than through an employment agency – and had much better luck. Now I am recently hired into an organization, getting nice pay and without any current certs.

But I think I will do these 2008 certs just because I think there is value in learning. While I have all the hands-on in 2008 and Exchange, I think the certs do have value and that you show yourself you know it all.

The problem is the headhunters. I used them purely to brush up on my interview skills then went out on my own for real job interviews.

- just one man’s opinion…. – Stowy
(typing this while loading 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010 Beta on a VM ESX slice.. Oh yea!)

By: Ammar

Ammar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:05:45 +0000

I am opposed to the certifications because they’ve rendered those with experience only “useless”. I have found that with over 20 years in IT it’s virtually impossible to get in front of an employer without a certificate of some kind be it an A+, MCSE, CCNA, etc with all the alphabet soup available out there. Employment agencies are playing into the certificate game big time now too. There was a time when employment agencies could be relied upon to SELL you to clients based on their interview with you and their take on your tech skills but now non-IT folks are recruiting for IT spots and need a measure…so hence they too require certs. The other issue I have with certificates is that it’s a flavor of the month…Today MCSE and CCNA tomorrow who knows what…when that changes we’ll all have to get recertified in what ever that technology is…Red Hat? Look folks keeping these up is only playing into the hands of the vendors and it’s time we stop playing the game and fight back. While I value education when we begin to pander to vendors whims we are basically making our Degrees and other education/experience useless. I am finally caving in and going to take the necessary classes

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:20:24 +0000

Hi,

This is regarding a clarification on windows server 2008. whether can i able to understand the core of windows server 2008, since an naive to certification. Eventhough I have one year working experience, i didn much knowledge on windows. can i do directly windows server 2008 certification or any other supplements needed. Please help me out.

Regards,
Joe

By: shailesh kumar mishra

shailesh kumar mishra — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:26:21 +0000

I have taken MCP in april 2006 with three papers (70-270,70-290,70-291). What I have to do get MCSA and MCSE certification. Am I valid to get certified or not. If not then suggest me what I do? Please please send me a mail at my mail-id shailesh.mishra29@gmail.com.

By: MCSEx3

MCSEx3 — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Marty,

It seems you are a bit bitter. As a hiring manager, I look for skill, knowledge, character, and passion. A certification is a plus. To me an individual who has all of the above is a winner in my book. A certification shows me the person is passionate enough to keep their skills current and maintain a certain level of knowledge for a particular set of technologies. As many have stated before, an MCSE (or other cert) by itself means nothing more than being able to pass a test. I hope employers are not that stupid to put so much weight on a certification as you suggest.

My suggestion to you: compliment your 20+ years of experience with relevant certifications. What ever interests you. Maybe you’ll learn something new and stay competitive at the same time.

Best of luck.

By: Marty Gorman

Marty Gorman — Sat, 16 May 2009 07:50:58 +0000

It’s time the experienced IT professionals take a stand against the pervasive revenue grab being attained by the manufacturers. I am opposed to the certifications because they’ve rendered those with experience only “useless”. I have found that with over 20 years in IT it’s virtually impossible to get in front of an employer without a certificate of some kind be it an A+, MCSE, CCNA, etc with all the alphabet soup available out there. Employment agencies are playing into the certificate game big time now too. There was a time when employment agencies could be relied upon to SELL you to clients based on their interview with you and their take on your tech skills but now non-IT folks are recruiting for IT spots and need a measure…so hence they too require certs. The other issue I have with certificates is that it’s a flavor of the month…Today MCSE and CCNA tomorrow who knows what…when that changes we’ll all have to get recertified in what ever that technology is…Red Hat? Look folks keeping these up is only playing into the hands of the vendors and it’s time we stop playing the game and fight back. While I value education when we begin to pander to vendors whims we are basically making our Degrees and other education/experience useless. I am finally caving in and going to take the necessary classes…getting certified.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:07:50 +0000

I have MCSA 2003, MCITP, MCDST etc…. I agree with Scott and other folks that MCSE is still valuable. Not many companies are migrating to Server 2008 because of the costs involved. My company is still running on Server 2003 and later in the year we move to Server 2008. We will use both 2003 and 2008 tools. So yes, MCSE is still very vaulable. Remember XP is still in production and is a part of MCSE track. The whole deal about getting MCSE is not just getting the certificate and you file it away. It comes with the technical experience too:)

So folks, you will need take MCSE seriously just like Server 2008.

By: Kasia Grabowska

Kasia Grabowska — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:46:26 +0000

Exam 70-270 is not scheduled to retire any time soon. Here is the list of Microsoft exams scheduled for discontinuation:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/examstoretire.mspx

And here is a list of discontinued Microsoft Certification Exams:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/examsretired.mspx

as well as the discontinued Microsoft Certifications:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/retired/cert/default.mspx

I think this particular XP exam is going to stick around for awhile just because so many companies are still using XP, and will be using it for some time to come.

By: jamiu idris .a

jamiu idris .a — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:43:28 +0000

when will the xp exam [070-270] expires?

By: jamiu idris .a

jamiu idris .a — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:38:01 +0000

what are the most current exams available for the windowws server 2003 track for this year and when would the xp [070-270] exam expires?

By: monkeyhanga

monkeyhanga — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:28:47 +0000

I’ve been working on Microsoft kit for a goodly number of years now. I have an Microsoft certifications in NT4, 2000 and 2003.
Saying ditch microsoft certs in favour of CCNA is like comparing apples with oranges.
My current company doesn’t use cisco gear so a CCNA would not have got me an interview. Linux, unix or any other os cert would not have got me an interview. What got me the interview was my experience coupled with past and current certifications in the OS relevant to the position. If you are working in or looking to take a position in a Microsoft support role, Microsoft certification helps with interview selection…only if you have relevant experience to go with it.
The Vista exam I sat recently had 60+ questions, 20 of which were simulations. You can’t learn simulations from a text dump of possible exam questions. This is a step in the right direction in my opinion.
Not being certified in other OSs, I don’t know if there are simulations or practical assesment needed to obtain say a linux OS cert. Can anybody enlighten me?

By: MCSA - MCSE Soon

MCSA - MCSE Soon — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:23:48 +0000

jimmy -

I have 10 years in the profession and am just now certifying. I finished the MCSA early this year and I hope to finish the MCSE in April. The certifications do NOT mean that you can perform any network/IT function. However, your resume is typically placed in a different pile (the call for interview pile) than non-certified applicants. Before anyone goes hating what I am saying please know that I am not saying it is right. I am just saying that it typically is….. Experience can’t be replaced with quick study into a complex realm. It can get you in front of a hiring manager and your experience will get you (and more importantly help you keep) the job.

Keep studying and acquire some experience at any cost. If necessary, intern for free. Take an entry-level position with a consulting firm for the varied experience in complex skill-sets. The certifications will NEVER hurt you but experience is what will make you valuable.

Good luck and keep it fun!

By: jimmy

jimmy — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:22:33 +0000

OMG, I’m a newbie, just recently graduated from IT school, I’m already Comptia A+ and Network+ certified. I’m trying to pursue my MS certified due to find better job, better pay and better chance landing a position. I spent a lot of money on buying study guide books and spending a lot time of studying. After reading all these comments about MS certifies and about their new MCTS certifications make me wanna throw away all my books, and do not want to pursue MS certified anymore. Any advice from IT Pro experienced, please drop a few lines. Thanks.

By: R.Risvi

R.Risvi — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:07:12 +0000

2nd Posted..

Please help me.

I would like to start small web hosting in my home. I mean, I have three websites runing in GODADDY.COM web hosting. Meanwhile each month I have to pay more money to them for my web hosting. That’ wise, I need to built self web hosting in my home with Microsoft products. So, please tell me anyone which course I want to study from Microsoft products. For example Windows Server 2008? Or any courser ?

Please help me..
best regards.