MCITP – SA – A Fundamental Certification for Systems Administrators

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In the new economy, IT professionals need all the help they can get securing their current positions and/or finding new ones. The technology sector is particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of the job market. Companies are looking to restructure their staff (a nice term for layoffs), and newly minted IT graduates hit the market every summer like clockwork. Basic economics teaches us that the larger supply of a commodity (like IT professionals) in proportion to the available buyers, the lower the price, or salary in this case. One of the ways IT professionals can stay competitive in the industry is to obtain as many certifications as is possible and reasonable. For those currently employed, earning higher certifications demonstrates desirable qualities to their employers. These include initiative, self-management, and a high level of drive to attain mastery in the field. While these certifications do not automatically lead to promotions or raises in all cases, it can at least make a position more secure. For those on the other side of this coin, who have already lost their jobs, increased certification is an excellent way to stand out in a crowd that is growing larger every day. The Basics of MCITP – SA Certification The Microsoft Certified IT Professional – Server Administration (MCITP – SA) credential has replaced the credentials once known as Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) credentials. Like its predecessors, the MCITP – SA objectively certifies competency in performing crucial IT tasks in a way that maximizes the use of Microsoft computing assets and applications. This shift goes well beyond a mere change in the name. The class time has been trimmed considerably. The exams themselves are also shorter and more refined. These factors, Microsoft hopes, will contribute to a larger number of certificates being awarded after many students struggled with the previous certifications. A high attrition rate was contributing to fewer and fewer prospective students even attempting the Server 2003 certification. MCITP - SA classes focus primarily on Server 2008. The objective is for students to leave the classroom able to design, build, deploy, and maintain IT computing assets within an enterprise. There are only three exams, which should be enough for most students to find challenging, but not overwhelming. Is MCITP – SA Right For You? For those looking to achieve leadership roles in the industry, MCITP – SA is really the new standard, and is virtually an essential accreditation. MCITP – SA certified technicians are qualified for positions like database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator. MCITP – SA stands to become the new gold standard in IT certification, being one of the most broadly applicable and popular certifications offered by Microsoft. Not only is it now easier to achieve, but it’s more applicable to today’s changing systems and promises to raise the IT industry bar.

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  • Charles Eatmon
    Charles Eatmon •
    Certifications are generally a good thing, however; two problems could arise that need to be addressed.The first problem is the constant need for recertification, or certification upgrades.  For many of us, this becomes a constant process of taking tests and earning certifications.  Every year new products and new certifications are introduced.  Eventually, you get to the point where you have hardly finished one set of certification exams, and now it's time to get certified on the next new Windows release/product. The second problem is that most certifications don't accurately reflect a person's ability to function in a technical environment and solve real world problems.  Some certified individuals perform poorly irregardless of certifications because of poor problem solving skills, bad communication skills, or inability to work well in a team environment.To resolve these problems, I suggest that a base, non-expiring designation be awarded to all certified professionals that does not expire, but rather advances with the pro's achievements and professional growth.  For example, let's re-institute the MCP designation and add the additional designation of "Associate", "Senior", or "Advanced" to the title as a pro grows in the profession.  This would give some constant, everlasting return to the certification process and also possibly reflect experience in the industry if project hours can be added to the certification or some measurement of the pro's accomplishments.

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