Basics of a Microsoft Network Certification
All Microsoft Network Certification programs culminate with students taking an MCSA exam to receive official credentials. Most students pursuing certification have at least a few months experience working with desktop and network operating systems. A typical curriculum includes an introduction to information technology and courses on system installation and configuration, network maintenance and analysis and the more common types of software and hardware related to network administration.
What Can I Do With a Microsoft Network Certification?
An MCSA may work directly for Microsoft or for the many organizations that use Microsoft servers in the office. Potential employers span a wide spectrum covering professional offices, small businesses, government agencies and corporations. Familiar job titles for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators include systems support specialists, network administrators and computer technicians. Most individuals working in the profession supervise the daily performance of computer networks and ensure that computers and the networks connecting them are meeting their users' needs. Troubleshooting is one of the most common tasks in a given workday.
Employment Outlook for Careers Related to a Microsoft Network Certification
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for a network and computer systems administrator is $62,130, as of May 2006 (www.bls.gov). Demand is high for the skills and expertise of a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, and it will remain high as network technology continues to improve.
