Microsoft Certified

Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) with Specialization in Security

Whether you like it or not, Microsoft is the biggest software maker. And they are hence hot on certifications too. And not surprisingly one of the Microsoft certifications is in the second spot in our list of surveys. Actually, an MCSE where E stands for Engineer, used to be the hottest till some time back.However, the job of planning and designing computer systems and networks have fallen to more specialized folks in organisations, in the past two years or so. Another reason is that when it comes to planning and designing, years of experience is considered more important than certificates.For the same reason, the role of managing and maintaining an IT infrastructure is a job where certificates play a role. Since this job is largely been outsourced, there are number of opportunities to maintain the IT infrastructure across the globe. So MCSA is in!

However, unlike the CCIE certification MCSAs are not exactly paid big bucks. But, what it assures is a very high chance of securing a job. MCSA is meant for developers looking for their first break rather than moving into the big league, and every month there are thousands of jobs being created too. The Security Certification Specialization is something, which has added that extra edge to the program. Since Microsoft products have been the favourite target of hackers globally, many recruiters have started asking for Security specialization.

An MCSA certification costs approximately Rs 24,000. Current salaries offered for MCSA professionals seen in public domains in United States starts as low as $ 50,000 but ranges to $ 78,000. For a starter, that is pretty decent. In India, it starts from Rs 12,000 and above.

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

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)

This is the only certification we have in this list that is a true developer certification. All the other certifications were more on managing a product, or administering or maintaining it. But for pure software skills, and actually developing on a development tool, you have to checkout MCSD. MCSD is a certification that has evolved over many years. And as a developer, if you are looking at getting certified for skill-sets on Visual Studio.net or on .Net then MCSD is the best bet! MCSD is currently going through a face-lift and Microsoft website tells us that there are some new announcements in the pipeline. While you talk about MCSE, it is important to point out that Microsoft also has MCAD, which is targeted at Application Developers. MCAD is not exactly hot on the job listings searches, but it may be the dark horse that may figure in the list next time we do this survey. In the case of Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET, candidates are required to pass four core exams and one elective exam.
Web Link-
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsd/default.asp