I am currently in college getting my computer science degree in information systems and I am wondering what is the MCSE certification. Is it 5 tests on Win2k, or 25 tests covering everything Microsoft? Also, which certifications are a must for an individual going into the networking field and can a person get an entry level job just by having the certifications? I would like to maybe get a job while I am in school in networking rather than drive a truck as I have been. I am a little intimidated because as all of you know college teaches a little of everything of which none of it ever applies to the real world. My schooling is very good, don't get me wrong, and I am buried in homework, but please let me know how I should go about getting the certifications and which ones. I have materials for all of it, I just need some counseling. I saw on tv the other night some 10 year old kid who had his MCSE and it made me feel like I was running a little behind. Thanks.

There are several Microsoft Certifications. Depends on what you wanna do.

http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/default.asp

I have a MCSE in Windows NT 4.0, and my MCP+I (due to overlapping test requirements, you may wind up with multiple certs so don't get confused), and they can make it easier to get a job. They also make it much easier to negotiate a better deal when your review comes around (unless you're in an area where you can't easily get another position and you can't bluff them ). You might want to take a peek at the MCSA which appears to be a little scaled down from the MCSE and is geared more toward the entry level company admin, but isn't as basic as passing one test to get your MCP either.

http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/default.asp

What about Cisco, Novell(who may be dead), A+, etc. Should I just blow them off and work on the MCSE in Win2k. Can anyone recommend exactly which 6 tests I should take. The MS web site says 4 core operating system tests and 2 electives. Does that mean 4 Win2k core like design security, infrastructure, blah, blah.

I guess it is obvious that a concentration in Win2k would be the best? I don't think XP is hot in the business world, but please let me know.

I must say, NTCompatible is responsible for stimulating my interest to go back to school, so all my successes will be owed to NTC I started coming here just for game help on win2k and look, now I am becoming what many of you discuss on this board, a formal IT professional...thanks to all. Hopefully in 3 years when I get out I will be able to find an IT job. Government job outlook statistics say I have a good shot and with a few connections of my own hopefully things will work out

I might irritate some people with this, but:

1. A+ and Network+ certs are for beginners (those who want to get in quickly and on the average start off in PC Tech positions)

2. Cisco stuff is always nice to have if you intend to work with it, or just like to have even more letters behind your name

3. Personally, I wouldn't bother with Novell unless you are already employed with a company that uses Novell and they want you to become certified (and hence pay for it themselves)

With respect to test focus, I would definately focus on Win2K as XP isn't really an issue as of yet, and .NET server will not be out for a while (good, we need the break). When examining what tests to choose, try to find ones that you are interested in learning, not just the ones that are easiest as that will just rob you in the end. I mean, why bother taking all the tests that you think are easy and not get a chance to really learn anything new?

If you tire of software, doen't easily understand it, like hardware better, want more $$, or a little more respect .... Get a Cisco Cert. MUCH harder to get than an MCSE but if you get one of those then you'll be deemed as knowing more than an MCSE which is fairly accurate. Networks are pretty much where it's at and with the dumbing down of modern computers/software the PC Tech side/software training side will be considerably less profitable for a technician......also most likely less interesting too. Also try to force youself to get into *nix. *nix boxes are used for most business secuirty on their networks. I see *nix progressing more and more into the desktop arena as time goes on. Also it's easier to learn the basics again with a *nix box whereas with an NT box you'll just sit there clickin' on things....

Not entirely correct if you are just providing a generalization. I have seen many people getting CCNAs that don't know anything, and there are several high school programs that are supporting this cert as well. I wouldn't consider them to know any more than an average MCP in many cases, *especially* when it comes to server configuration (such as DNS), in which the concepts should be a given with this type of cert. Now of course, if you go get a CCIE then that would be a different story, however there are probably only a handful of companies in the world that could pay what you're worth as a networking architect let alone have a need for one.