I used to think that the Army was bad about acronyms – basic training wasn’t only about instilling discipline and adapting to the military lifestyle, but also to learn the acronyms used in daily conversation, what amounted to a foreign language – I was convinced that they didn’t use words, just acronyms. This long-held view has now been changed. I tip my hat to Microsoft Learning and the certification acronym roulette they have introduced.
There was a time when we had MCPs and MCSEs – easy to understand and grasp. Then came along the MCSA and where did it fit into the certification scheme? Was this a step below the MCSE or a difference in job function? To many people the MCSA was just a stepping stone to the MCSE – it was believed (rightly or wrongly – but I have had too many students who didn’t want to “settle” for a MCSA) to be not as “valuable” as the MCSE. But that was then and today’s truth is that we have another swath of certifications.
There is the MCA – not something that many people will achieve and nor was it designed as such. Now we have the MCTS and MCITP – what are these and where do they fit into the certification hierarchy and why change the beloved MCSA/MCSE roles? The MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) is aimed at you specializing in a technology (for example I am a Technology Specialist: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration). The MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) is oriented towards longer-term planning and working with a “comprehensive set of Microsoft Technologies” – for example I am an IT Professional: Enterprise Messaging Administrator.
I will delve more into the nuances of each of these in future postings – and maybe, just maybe, help dispel the cloud of confusion over these certifications. But for the time being – don’t fret, no worries and you don’t even need to bring a towel (for those Hitchhiker fans) – it is not as complicated as it may seem on a first glance!
