Are Microsoft Certifications Really Worth It?

In such a fast paced technology industry, certifications courses are on the rise to keep web developers and technicians up to date on the latest advancements in their field. Many employers use certifications to distinguish between applicants, especially from those who carry equal qualifications in terms of formal education. But as more students are asked their opinion about the value of obtaining certifications versus the cost and effort, the more social discussion emerges that certifications are worth, indeed, it and can lead to huge career advancements and personal development.

Employers like Apple and Google and other large IT companies value certifications because it proves a certain dedication to increasing knowledge of the field and implies a confidence with the information, due to passing grades on exams on the content.

Microsoft certifications are on the rise as companies will be hard-pressed to run their businesses without qualified Microsoft developers, networkers and technicians that can work with the technology their customers demand. Certifications for the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) were among the most popular certifications required or desired by top technology companies in the U.S in 2012.

Students writing about their experiences on blogs and sharing information with their classmates in social media declared that certification courses served two major purposes for them:

1. Certification courses are milestones for self-motivated learning – this forces the learner to make a concrete goal to work towards with a firm start and end date. Having milestones in the learning process to encourage continued interest and dedication are often necessary, as people usually take certification courses during employment with an IT organization.
2. Measurable proficiency – Employers have said that they would rather have someone who had been taught and tested on the latest technologies over someone who talks about the experiences they had using it. We do not see this in many other fields besides IT, but in terms of hiring hands-on technology professionals, knowing the technology that is in demand will certainly help your employability.

All in all, certification courses can be expensive and not everyone is in a position to engage in them. A good point to note is that many employers will pay for their employees to attend the classes and take the exams. Companies want to boast about the quality and proficiency of their IT departments and will go to great lengths to certify their staff. For many, Microsoft certification courses can be the answer to your next employment move or even a way to differentiate yourself from the competition in an ever-competitive IT industry.

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