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MCSE Training Is The Surest Way Into Programming

by Alex Russel
alex.russel@studyhightech.com
Study High Tech Columnist

MCSE certification has become the surest way of showing the programming industry that you are capable of working with Microsoft network machinery. Not surprisingly, thousands of students start training for the MCSE every year. The most successful candidates are those with practical experience. For novices, it is wiser to start training in a programming language or towards an easier certification.

The MCSE Microsoft certification has almost become an industry-wide standard of server programming know-how, a sort-of bachelor's degree within itself. MCSE certification displays you have completed the training necessary for Microsoft to consider you a credentialed network engineer.

MCSE Certification Offers Good Average Salaries

According to Monster.com, the average MCSE certification holder received a base salary of $65,100 in 1999. In addition, the same worker received about $11,000 in bonus and benefits. These generous figures alone make training towards MCSE certification worth it.

Programming Training for MCSE Certification

A lot of training is necessary because MCSE certification exams aren't easy. Even for software programming engineers with years of professional experience, a ten-week training course is recommended.

In fact, of the 100,000 engineers holding a MCSE certification, most sought their certification training only after many years in the business. Programming novices are probably better off getting certification in a programming language specifically or a less involved Microsoft designation like the MCAD or MCSA, both of which can contribute to a MCSE later on.

MCSE Programming Certification Requires Six Exams

In order to get MCSE certification, students are required to pass four operating system exams and two elective exams chosen before training. Surprisingly, the exams are not administered by Microsoft, but by Sylvan Prometric and Virtual University Enterprises. Sylvan Prometric has more than 1,400 testing centers worldwide and VUE has more than 900. Each exam costs $125 (totaling 750 for the MCSE). A good training course will probably run over a thousand dollars.

About the Author

Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Lucky enough to grow up in Europe with family all over the world, he has been a consummate traveler his whole life. Since graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.

Sources



 
American Intercontinental University Online
Walden University
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Westwood College Online
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