No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer → MCSA vs. MCSE

I'm wondering the pros and cons of getting an MCSA vs. MCSE. Obviously MCSE has twice as many exams and costs double.

I am asking more in terms of how it looks on your resume.

I have education and experience, and am hoping that adding a cert will help.

MCSE is the one you always hear thrown around, just like you hear about "paper MCSE." But MCSE seems more like building systems and networks from scratch, whereas MCSA seems more about the administration side.

What do you all think/recommend?

Both certifications can be labeled easily as "paper". It all depends on what the candidate has for experience and education. As for the pros and cons, its hard for me to say without knowing your background and what you want to do. If you have a good amount of experience and a 2 or 4 year college degree, then a cert like this would be VERY strong. However, if you have 1-2 years of experience and no college degree, the cert will not be very strong.

The term "paper MCSE" really takes its definition from people who go out to get a certification with no experience or education to back it up. If you have a good background, then a cert is worth it.

As for which you should go for, you should get the cert that matches what you want to do. Do you want to build networks from the ground up? If so, then an MCSE. Do you want to be a systems administrator? If so, then a MCSA would be acceptable.

I have a BBA in MIS from FIU, 7+ years experience.

I'm just wondering if MCSA is literally half as good as MCSE, since they one is 4 courses and the other is 8.

Is there an easy path to upgrading from MCSA to MCSE, ie, are the prerequisites similar?

I'm also wondering, is it good to take one of the "paths" such as MCSA 2003: Messaging.

As someone who has done hiring in IT, I can tell you it depends on what you are doing. A MCSA for a network admin job would look very good. If you are designing and implementing networks, then an MCSE would look great. Obviously, if you have a MCSE, then you won't look overqualified for a network admin position. However, you will look a little underqualified for a network engineer position with only a MCSA.

Upgrading from a MCSA to a MCSE is easy, you just take the 4 tests you didn't take to get the MCSA to qualify for the MSCE. There are tests that go towards both. I know people who get their MCSA on their way to their MCSE.

MCSE>MCSA.

Of course experience counts a lot like Nightfall , has mentioned.

I have found that, at least around here, Certs and what not are very much over rated. You can have all of the certs in the world, but if you do not have shown skills ( work related ), it's not going to get you far.

Yeah, but some positions say "MCSE Required" etc.

I've had three positions that required an MCSE and I'm only an MCP.

Of which you only need to pass one exam to get MCP, right?

Correct. I am a Microsoft Certified Professional in Windows 2000 Server.

Experience trumphs certification, but certifications get you interviews.

Quick question slightly off topic.... Are there any benefits of being a MCSE. I don't want the answer to be related to experience or interview (foot in the door) paperweight. i want to know if there are benefits from microsoft like MSDN accounts or an express support line, product discounts, something.

I have experience but get very few interviews. Most listings say either "MCSE Preferred" and several say "Required." If it can get my foot in the door, then great.

In this industry, certs aren't good for much except getting your resume past the HR drones.

When you go in to interview with your possible future boss, your level of knowledge will come out for all to see.

That's not a problem.

Another thing that people haven't mentioned is your resume. Probably the best money I spent was getting my resume professionally written. I found myself laid off at the end of January in 2006. In 6 weeks I had a 2 month contract job and after that was over, I was out of work 3 weeks before I found the job I have right now.

All this in the state with the worst unemployment in the nation. I thought it was dumb luck personally, but from what recruiters and HR people said, it was the best resume they have seen in a long time.

Not many people think of this when they go out job hunting I am in the same boat as you elias. I have a boatload of experience and a solid 4 year college degree. I only have a A+, MCP, and a CNA. Really old basic certifications.

I don't know how good your resume looks, but that might need to be tweaked or professionally written so it catches the eyes of the hiring people.

where did you have it done?

I had it done through Monster Career Services. They have a resume writing service that I can't recommend highly enough. It costs a little under $300, but it is worth it in my opinion.

When you sign up, I had someone call me within 30 minutes and just ask questions. After about 3 revisions, it was to the point where I liked it. The person who did my resume did a fantastic job.

i hope you meant can

MCSE is 7 exams and depending on which ones you want to take, you can actually become an MCSA on the way to getting an MCSE. There are a couple exams that overlap, and if you take them in a certain order you obtain MCSA along the way.

As for benefits - you get full medical and dental and matching 401K funds....er...um, just kidding.

Here is some info on that:
»www.microsoft.com/learni ··· its.mspx