Getting Your Career on Target with the New Generation of Microsoft Certifications

No one likes change, especially if it means that you have more expensive certification exams to pass and more hours of Microsoft MCITP training in your future. While some are grumbling about the new generation of certifications from Microsoft, others see a terrific opportunity to really nail down their career path.

The new certifications from the entry-level MCTS to the professional MCITP certification target specific job roles rather than try to provide more general coverage. This allows candidates to focus on the skills and technologies as well as the particular job role that they want to work in. They get more in-depth knowledge and experience in less time allowing them to get started in their career faster.

This not only helps the job seeker, it also helps those looking to fill particular jobs. Hiring managers needing to hire a project manager skilled in Project Server will know that an MCITP holding the IT Professional: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 MCITP certification will have the expertise required. In addition, they will know that this professional has current skills (because these new certifications require refresher Microsoft MCITP training courses and passing a refresher exam).

The downside of these more targeted certifications is that you may need to carry several different credentials as you build your career. In fact, many IT professionals already carry several broad credentials, the new generation will lend itself to even more which can make your resume or business card look a little like an alphabet soup. In addition, each MCITP certification requires passing two or more exams which adds up over time. To top it off, every three years, you will need to re-certify which requires more training and more expense.

Since each certification must be re-certified every three years, managing your certifications may pose a challenge, especially if you hold several different credentials that were earned at different times of your career.

At this point, there's no arguing with the new program. You will either go along with it and build your IT career or you can look to other technologies. Change is never comfortable but if you give it half a chance, it just might work for the better.