MCSA
 

Hey there all.

Has anyone heard of the new MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator) cert?

Im thinking of doing it, as I cant quite afford an MCSE yet and the MCSA requires you to do 3 Core exams and 1 elective (compared to the many of the MCSE).

If your already MCSE then I wouldnt bother looking at it, but the reason I am is because they accept the CompTIA A+ as an elective (which I already have).

Wander over here and take a look-see
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa

 

Re: MCSA
 

Anyone have any thoughts......???.....anyone...

Re: MCSA
 

That sounds like it would be a good cert to get.  Plus you can always take a few more tests and turn that into a MCSE.  I guess that cert is for someone who is half way between MCP and MCSE.

I am working on taking some of the MSCE tests right now and I think that the MCSA certification will be a good place to rest at...

Re: MCSA
 

I think it is a great cert to get especially since it accepts the A+ and Network+ in place of the elective.

MCSE is still desired but too much to go through and not enough time.

Re: MCSA
 

Hey folks

I'm not sure about MCSA.
I'm not happy about M$ certification either  >:(

I think it was my mistake, cause I'm checking for good job couple of months and nobody has a f### about my MCSE (not to mention MCSA he he).
> UNIX/Solaris techs very wanted AS400 still popular ... In my place at least ;)

Yo ! Think twice before you start with micro. They are going to blast the exam prices and ppl say (and I have no doubt) they are cheating on quez |||
Save your time & money, get some real certifications ...

Cheers
Chef

Re: MCSA
 

I'm looking into an MCSA certification.   How many of you are formally trained and how many have obtained the certification on self-training?

Re: MCSA
 

I am now 16 and proffesionals dont even realize i exist...but i want to get a decent job, not like what my friends are getting. (not trying to be arrogant, please dont take it like that.). i know there is no way i can pay for MCSE so i think that would at least get me in enough to even think about a job. i dont want another no-pay internship where you learn jack.

Re: MCSA
 

dont think you will be albe to find one that isnt some kind of co-op or internship.  I've got a co-op job and it suck cuz i'm way too cheap of labor. not a whole lot you can do because of your age.  the only other thing i can think of is to start your own company :)

Re: MCSA
 

yeah, i am doing a lot of research on that Aoshi. I will probably do that before my senior year at HS cuz it looks really good to colleges, too. I still want some experience in a company though where i can prove myself. i dont mind low pay, just not too low where no one in the indstry would laugh at. :(

also, do you have to take courses to get certified, or just the exams, cuz i wanna do self-paced training kits???

Re: MCSA
 

i'm sure you dont have to take actual courses, but it does all depend on where you take the test.  I take my tests at my HS cuz they are a testing center. I do also take classes, but its an independent class anyway.

Re: MCSA
 

I've done mine without any courses, no MS kits, no classes.
2-3 books per test (Coriolis / not that they are good / + sth). 2 weeks to learn + practice on sweet personal SOHO LAN.
It took ~5 month to complete, cause I'd also some job to do.
Was it worst it ?? Well, I'm not 16 yrs old and the rest, but still looking for good job.
The good point is to obtain CNA too, but it's expensive to handle 2 certifications in 2 years ;)

You can do it yourself, ppl, good luck

Cheers
Chef

Re: MCSA
 

thanx for the advice. i dont have a lan to play with, but i think i can train myself anyway, especially cuz of what chef said.

do you think it is worth it to go through with it? $125 a course is rather expensive.

Re: MCSA
 

125$ for course is not expensive at all (good W2K MCSE course would cost you 500 - 700+, don't know about MCSA, but probably the same crap).
Exam price was ~100$ but it's already more expensive (have to check), so if you're not sure about your abilities, it's better to invest in good training material/course, then to waste it on additional attempt. I've personally failed 1 exam cause didn't have good stuff to learn.


Cheers
Chef

Re: MCSA
 

$125 for a course!!!

That is SOOOOO cheap it isnt funny.  Normally your looking at afew K...

Sure you arnt getting the test price confused with the course price?

Re: MCSA
 

yeah, that's the test price; here is the link to the actual page at MS that says it:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/m...r/mcpsteps.asp
$125 is US dollars.

So should i assume you think it is a good deal??

Re: MCSA
 

Hi, I am an A+ and MCSA. I was taking the MCSE track when the MCSA became available, since I only had to take the 70-218 for the title, I did. It is good for 2 reasons, the 70-218 counts towards the MCSE, and I know have a full cert title in the mean time. I will finish the MCSE, I only have 2 more exams to do, but I'm not sure if it matters since there is such a glut of certified people for many fewer jobs then in past years. While I agree you need some cert, at least an A+, Network+, and an MCSA, experience is still king when it comes to getting a job. I did take a course for the MCSE which helped, just make sure its a hands on course so you will learn something.

MCSA
 

I hear you I'm a A+ and a CNA and I'm on track for the MCSA I'm ready but not thrilled about spending the doe for the cert I've been in this field for 5 yrs now and its what you know and what have you done for me lately that counts not a piece of paper I think investing in your home lab should be priority its really the best way to get your hands dirty but I'll get the cert I think its time I do anyway, and your right there are to many people with certs today.