Since you are in the IT field, the choice is a little easier on you. Answer these questions and you will have a more definite idea of what course you should pursue:
1.) What operating systems (both client and server side) do you service the most, and
2.) What technology do you have the most proficiency with?
If you chose Windows XP and Windows 2003, and you are looking for a server administration certification, then look at the following:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/windows2003/default.mspxIf you chose Windows XP or Vista and Windows 2008; take a peek at this:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/windowsserver/2008/server/default.mspxThe major difference between a server administor and engineer is design. If you are just administrating the servers and not designing a AD and a network infrastructure, then an MCSA is the logical choice. If you plan on doing the above mentioned in a Windows 2003 network, the MCSE 2003 certification is the way to go. Check out the requirements for that here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/default.mspxRegards of the path you chose, follow my second bullet carefully. Certifications without proficiency are useless.
The major difference between the older certifications (MCP, MCSA, MCSE) and the next generation certifications (MCTS and MCITP) is specificity. The next generation certifications are designed to target specific technologies (i.e. MCTS: Exchange Server 2007, Configuration.) verses and MCP in whatever. Same with the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator verses the all encompassing MCSE.
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
www.theitclassroom.com
