An MCSE meant that, not only had you demonstrated an understanding of systems administration and the skills necessary to run a Windows-based enterprise, but also that you were willing to take the extra necessary steps to achieve a long-term IT based goal.

Those two attributes were the best available indicator of someone having what it takes to be a quality sys admin.

Then, Microsoft inexplicably pulled the plug on its highly successful technology certification. In a misguided effort to make Microsoft certification “more relevant” to specific job functions, the company made wholesale changes to the entire certification program instead of tweaking the areas that needed improvement.

In doing so, the company left behind a fog of confusion for both IT professionals, who wondered what certification track to pursue, and for managers who wondered what certification actually matched up with the available position.

There Goes the Last MCSE

The Tom Petty song, Last DJ laments the growing influence of corporations in radio. An enterprise that was once the bastion of people who loved music had grown into one focused only on dollars and cents. It is not unlike what has happened to Microsoft certification.

The MCSE program was both a demonstration of technical abilities, and a badge of honor among Microsoft IT personnel. Senior systems administrators with years of experience and skills that no one would ever question still put forth the effort to get their MCSE designation, even if they did not intend to look for a new position.

The MCSE became what it was, not because of Microsoft, but because the IT community itself took up the MCSE as something to be obtained and respected. When the company took it away, something was lost, and Microsoft Certification became something the company did, not something that we did.

While it is true that the letters MCSE on your business card did not mean you were qualified for a particular job, what it did mean was that you had the skills, knowledge, commitment, and ability to do ANY job given the right resources and training. An MCSE said that you were the kind of computer professional who could learn new, complex, interrelated technologies and then apply them in a given environment.

Not everyone can do that, no matter how much training they get. That is what made it so valuable, not that it mimicked the job functions of a specific position.

Is MCSE Still the Golden Ticket?

While Microsoft officially killed the MCSE with its certification overhaul, the real world has been slow to follow along. Although Windows Server 2008 is the current version, Windows Server 2003 still dominates the corporate landscape making a Server 2003 MCSE the highest certification level necessary in most enterprises.

Indeed, a quick glance at Microsoft’s own job search shows many high-level positions, including Architect and Senior Consultant still requiring a MCSE 2003, or getting an MCSE 2003 within six months.

Even though “2003″ makes the certification sound dated to untrained ears, most technology professionals still regard the 2003 MCSE as the current certification. Forums and web sites around the Internet still advise those looking to upgrade their certifications or positions, or those looking to get into the field to focus on getting the MCSE on 2003.

Everybody Panic … Or, Not

But all of that may finally be changing.

With the imminent release of Windows 7, the new features in Windows Server 2008 become even more alluring. Unlike Vista, which was largely skipped by the enterprise, and Server 2008, which has not become a “necessary” upgrade for businesses still working through budget cuts yet, Windows 7 starts the clock ticking at most companies.

While no one will be looking to rush into a system-wide upgrade right away, the over/under on the number of years left with the XP and Server 2003 pairing as the dominant corporate standard has been set at something less than four or five.

In other words, the MCSE on 2003 won’t be the “current” certification for very much longer.

Microsoft has put too much effort into its new certification model to turn back now. However, if it becomes clear that the revamped model is not producing the desired effect, certain changes could be made.

The most likely being a consolidation of the bewildering array of titles.

In the meantime, Microsoft has provided 2003 Server MCSEs with a two exam upgrade path. The good news is that these upgrade paths provide for a quick road to what appears to be the MCSE heir-apparent, the MCITP, with an interim stop at the MCTS certification.

For MCSE on Server 2003, just one Microsoft certification upgrade exam is required to get three 2008 MCTS certifications: Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, Applications Infrastructure Configuration. If you are wondering how to list that kind of certification on your resume and business card (MCTS x 3, perhaps?) then you have an idea of why the new certification paradigm is not as user friendly as its predecessor.

Is the MCSE Still Worth It?

All of which leads us to the big question: Is the MCSE still worth getting?

The answer is yes.

Windows Server 2003 will continue to be the dominant installed Microsoft server product for at least a few more years, and won’t become a rarity for the better part of a decade. Even with a high-level Windows Server 2008 certification, IT professionals who can demonstrate skill in BOTH 2008 and 2003 platforms will be most highly prized.

Indeed, the most sought after system administrator consulting skill of the next decade will be migrating Server 2003 to Server 2008.

In addition, while the newer MCITP tracks pigeonhole computer pros into specific product tracks, the 2003 MCSE still carries the can-do-anything label that managers find so desirable. There will be a new president before professionals drop MCSE 2003 from their business cards and resumes (and that’s true regardless of whether the current guy gets re-elected).

In fact, the value of 2003 MCSEs will only grow for next several years with those 9 characters being proof that not only are you highly skilled and certified, but that you have plenty of experience too!

So get cracking, get your MCSE on Windows Server 2003. Then, when 2013 rolls around and the usual business card exchange takes place around the conference room table, and among the 7 IT pros with MCITP 2008 you will be the only one with MCITP 2008 and MCSE 2003 on your card.

Oh, and when the Executive Vice President of Whatever (who doesn’t know as much as he thinks about IT) looks down impressed and says, “You’re a MCITP AND an MCSE? Wow,” don’t forget to thank me.

Related posts:

• MCSE vs MCITP: Is the MCSE Still Worth It?
• Dust Off Your MCSE: The New MCTS & MCITP Certifications Are The Future
• What’s The Next Step for MCSEs?

In this economy some of us have to be flexible and willing either to move to another state or even change a career.  It’s not easy, I know, but you never know.  It might be worth it in a long run. 

My advice would be that if you are not stuck paying mortgage (or can get out of it) and if you don’t mind relocating to a different state, this could be a pretty good tip.  So here you go:

States with the largest number of entry-level positions:

• California
• Texas
• Florida
• New York
• Pennsylvania

States with the least number of entry-level positions:

• Montana
• Wyoming
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Vermont

Some other pretty good states for entry-level jobs:

• Washington
• Ohio
• North Carolina
• Colorado

So, if I were looking for a job, I would move to California  as there will probably be a better chance for me to find a job and … I ALWAYS wanted to live in California   90210 anyone?

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