Microsoft MCSA-MCSE Study Training Explained

By: Jason Kendall Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? It's very possible then that you're in one of two situations: You're already a professional and you need to formalise your skill set with the Microsoft qualification. Or this could be your first step into commercial IT, and your research tells you that there are many opportunities for qualified people.

Take care to ensure you confirm that the training company you use is actually training you on the most up-to-date Microsoft version. A lot of students have come unstuck when they realise they've been learning from an outdated MCSE program which will have to be revised. Watch out for training companies who are just trying to sell you something. Understand that buying an MCSE course is similar to buying a car. They are not all equal; some are comfortable and reliable, whilst some will be a big disappointment. A good company will give you a thorough consultation to make sure a course is right for you. With those who have confidence in their programs, you'll be shown samples of it before you buy.

The area most overlooked by people considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. Basically, this means the method used to break up the program for delivery to you, which vastly changes what you end up with. Students often think it makes sense (when study may take one to three years for a full commercial certification,) that a training provider will issue the training stage by stage, as you achieve each exam pass. However: Often, the staged breakdown insisted on by the company won't suit you. You may find it a stretch to finalise all the elements within their timetable?

In an ideal situation, you want ALL the study materials up-front - meaning you'll have all of them to come back to at any time in the future - at any time you choose. Variations can then be made to the order that you complete your exams as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

Several companies offer a Job Placement Assistance service, designed to steer you into your first job. However sometimes too much is made of this feature, because it's really not that difficult for well qualified and focused men and women to secure a job in IT - because there's a great need for trained staff.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV should be offered (if not, see one of our sites for help). It's essential that you polish up your CV immediately - not after you've qualified! You'll often find that you'll secure your first position while you're still a student (even in the early stages). If your course details aren't on your CV (and it's not being looked at by employers) then you're not even going to be known about! The top companies to get you a new position are normally specialised and independent recruitment consultants. Because they only get paid when they place you, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.

Various students, it would appear, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), and then just stop instead of trying to get a good job. Sell yourself... Work hard to put yourself out there. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.

Many companies focus completely on the certification process, and completely avoid why you're doing this - getting yourself a new job or career. Always begin with the final destination in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination. It's a sad fact, but a great many students commence training that sounds marvellous from the syllabus guide, but which provides a job that doesn't satisfy. Try talking to typical university students for a real eye-opener.

Spend some time thinking about the income level you aspire to and the level of your ambition. Sometimes, this affects what particular accreditations will be expected and what industry will expect from you in return. Have a conversation with an experienced industry professional that has a background in the industry you're considering, and who'll explain to you a detailed description of what you're going to be doing in that job. Contemplating this before commencement of any learning programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.

If you forget everything else - then just remember this: Always get full 24x7 support from professional instructors. You will have so many problems later if you don't adhere to this. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, at a suitable time to them. This is no use if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have a specific time you can study.

Top training providers utilise an internet-based 24x7 system pulling in several support offices throughout multiple time-zones. You get an interface that seamlessly selects the best facility available irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it. Don't under any circumstances take anything less. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to technical learning. Maybe late-evening study is not your thing; often though, we're at work when traditional support if offered.

Many men and women assume that the state educational system is the way they should go. So why are commercial certificates beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, industry has of necessity moved to the specialised training that the vendors themselves supply - that is companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time. Higher education courses, for example, can often get caught up in vast amounts of loosely associated study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

The bottom line is: Commercial IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs - everything they need to know is in the title: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003'. So companies can look at the particular needs they have and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.