Prove your mastery of Windows Server 2016

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Prove your mastery of Windows Server 2016

What is MCSA: Windows Server 2016?

The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 Certification allows students to learn about the administering, installation, implementation of storage solutions, and computer features on the 2016 Windows operating system. Students will also learn to comprehend key networking concepts, identifying features and techniques. This certification qualifies candidates as; Network Systems Administrator, Computer Systems Administrator or Computer Network Specialist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the typical median salary for IT professionals with the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 Certification in 2019 was $83,510/year with a steady growth rate of 4% (higher than average) per year. The needs for qualified candidates within this field is only growing as businesses adapt to the new “norm” for 2020.

What about Windows Server 2019?

Microsoft remains an industry powerhouse, dominating both OS (operating systems) and business server solution options worldwide. With the roll-out of Windows Server 2019 a lot of IT professionals wonder if their time is better spent foregoing the 2016 solution and focus their attention on the newer 2019 solution. As Depositphotos 13933090 l 2015mentioned in our previous blog, MCSA: SQL Server 2016 Database Development,  even with the introduction of Windows Server 2019, there has been a 28% increase in businesses utilizing the 2016 version. According to reports, the 2016 version offers users greater performance for advanced security measures with early detection and management of security threats. The 2016 version also offers more support for encryption of networks. Businesses are opting to continue to use or begin using the 2016 version over the 2019 solution as it allows for a greater degree of manageability over various computing environments, while streamlining the processes and making them more user friendly for productivity and cost savings. Needless to say, the continued loyalty and usage of the 2016 solution is not lost on IT professionals who still want to place that certification within their transcripts.

Why is the boot camp a better training option for me?

If you are in need of fast-paced, industry leading, custom built teaching then boot camps are for you. TechSherpas365 offers multiple learning methods for this certification with the most effectual method being the boot camp. By offering technology-focused, short termed accelerated learning programs this method has proven its efficiency in providing the necessary skills and requirements to obtaining certification. If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out here.

Your Career Chances with an MCSA Certification

Cloud computing has become an integral part of today’s corporate/business world. Therefore, these businesses need qualified staff that can implement and work with cloud computing technology. As one of the major providers of cloud technology products, Microsoft offers the MCSA certification as well as a set of other certifications that serve as credentials for expertise of these products.

MCSA Certification

What kind of jobs can you get with an MCSA Certification?

An MCSA Certification (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) is considered an entry-level certification and is a great credential if you are still in the early stages of your IT career. When you look up the job offer requirements for positions like

  • Network Administrator
  • Network Engineer
  • Exchange Administrator
  • Systems Administrator
  • Desktop Engineer
  • Web Administrator
  • IT Project Manager

You will often find “MCSA” among them.

Since there are several similar certifications with different focus areas, the selection of your focus area will of course also influence your fit for specific job descriptions. If you add additional MCSA certifications and additional focus areas, this will enhance your expert profile.

MCSA does not necessarily limit you to entry-level positions: Especially in combination with extensive hands-on work experience and additional qualifications, one or more MCSA certifications can mark the well-rounded profile of IT professionals even in senior positions. If you already have several of these certifications, it might make sense to use these as stepping stones to obtain an MCSE Certification (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) as well. This will show your qualification to work on and build more complex cloud technology solutions and platforms.

The amount of money you can expect to earn of course depends on several additional factors, but to give you an idea: “Payscale” states 72K as the median annual salary for a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator,

 

Get your certification!

If you want to find out more about how to become an MCSA, you can read more about that in our blog post “MCSA Certification – how to become a certified Microsoft Solutions Associate”. You might also want to have a closer look at our article about the Microsoft Certification Paths, where you can find more information about the requirements and the various focus areas of the MCSA Certification and the MCSE Certification (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert), the next step, which is another part of the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification program.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, TechSherpas professional certified instructor  provide certification training for MCSA as well as MCSE.

 

Sources:
https://www.itcareerfinder.com/it-certifications/microsoft-certifications/mcsa-2012.html
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=msca&vjk=ba8027abcc0d5981
https://techsherpas.com/the-microsoft-certification-paths/

 

 

How Can a Microsoft Azure Certification Boost Your Career?

More and more businesses are using cloud-computing technology. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for people that possess the required skills better known as a Microsoft Azure Certification. One reason this technology has become popular is its ability to help saving on company investment of server space. Another reason for its popularity is because employees increasingly need to be able to access their files from somewhere else other than their stationary office work space. If you need to show that you possess cloud-computing skills and know how to apply them, a Microsoft Azure Certification provides you with just the right advantage over the job-seeking competition.

Microsoft Azure Certification

Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft Azure Certification

In our recent blog post, we have already elaborated on the six different Microsoft Certification Paths and the Microsoft Certification Map: The MCSA Certification (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) with 17 different focus area certifications that form the stepping stones to achieving that goal.

  • one of the five MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certifications
  • or the MCSD certification, which stands for “Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer.”

Depending on which focus areas and key technologies you focus on while achieving your MCSA Certification, you can set the path towards a Microsoft Azure related MCSE/MCSD certification.

 

Why invest into obtaining an official certification?

It is true: Nowadays, there are many ways to achieve knowledge and to hone one’s skills. One can read books, subscribe to podcasts and newsletters, watch Youtube videos and much more. Theoretically, you might be able to work with Microsoft Azure without any specific certification in that area.

If you have chosen information technology and cloud computing as your actual career fields, then these kinds of self-taught skills are probably not enough to get ahead. Anyone can claim they possess the skills and practical experience, but if you want to make a sustainable career out of those, you are going to need to show corresponding credentials as a recognizable proof of your expertise.

When you are looking for a new job, your CV usually is the first source of information for your potential future employer, and they probably have to decide between a multitude of applicants. A convincing CV is extremely important, because this phase of the application-process is the first hurdle you need to master in order to make it to a personal interview. An official and industry-recognized Microsoft Azure Certification in your CV documents that you have participated in a structured education and made it successfully through the required exams is important. This does not only show your personal dedication, but also provides a certain security for the future employer, that they will be able to rely on you having received your education and certifications by a reputable and recognized provider.

See also:
https://techsherpas.com/azure-skills-initiative-and-special-offers/

 

The Microsoft Certification Paths and the Microsoft Certification Map

In our last blog post we discussed two Microsoft certifications – MCSA and MCSE – as entry-level and mid-level IT certifications to boost your career as an IT professional. Today we would like to take a closer look at the six Microsoft certification paths for the certifications of MCSA, MCSE and MCSD: the Microsoft Certification Map.

What do the Microsoft Certification Paths show?

There are six different Microsoft Certification paths as part of the Microsoft Certification Map: 17 MCSA focus areas, 5 MCSEs and 1 MCSD. The Microsoft Certification Map shows how you can combine these focus areas to stepping-stones towards achieving the desired MCSE or MCSD certification.

While MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) is an entry-level certification that can stand on its own, it is also part of the certification path (or track) to an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) or MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) certification.

The 17 MCSA focus areas are (in alphabetical order):

  • BI Reporting
  • Cloud Platform
  • Data Engineering with Azure
  • Linux on Azure
  • Machine Learning
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations
  • Office 365
  • SQL 2016 BI Development
  • SQL 2016 Database Administration
  • SQL 2016 Database Development
  • SQL Server 2012/2014
  • Universal Windows Platform
  • Web Applications
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2016

 

Microsoft Certification Map

Microsoft Certification Map

 

The Microsoft Certification Map explained

The Certification Map with its six Microsoft Certification Paths shows you, which of the different MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) focus area certifications form the path to each of the five MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certifications and the MCSD certification.

The five MCSE certifications/focus areas with their different key technologies are:

  • Business Applications
  • Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
  • Productivity
  • Data Management and Analytics
  • Mobility

In addition, there is one MCSD certification path (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) within the focus area.

  • App Builder with the key technologies: Azure, C#. SharePoint. Office Client, Visual Studio, .Net and HTML5

The have already mentioned stepping-stones for each of these six certification paths which are:

  • combinations of the above mentioned 17 MCSA focus areas
  • PLUS one passed exam from an elective exam pool

These exam pools are periodically updated, and so it is important for you to always consider the current version of the Microsoft Certification Paths.

You can find our most current version of the certification (road-)map here, or by clicking on the image above. This will lead you to not only an enlarged version of the map, but also to a more detailed info graphic for each of the certification paths.

 

Sources:
https://techsherpas.com/microsoft-certification-map/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/browse-all-certifications.aspx?technology=windows%20server

 

 

3 of the Best Entry Level IT Certifications to Boost Your Career

If you want to make yourself a career in the field of information technology, you should consider achieving one of the well-established, entry level IT certifications as a credential for your IT skills.

Why are Entry Level IT Certifications important?

Many people are nowadays interested in computer and IT subjects, which is a continually changing and evolving career path.  An IT Certification serves as a standardized tool to help potential employers or customers to assess your knowledge and skill set and make an informed decision about hiring you.

Which of the Entry Level IT Certifications is right for you?

Entry level IT Certifications

CompTIA A+

A CompTIA A+ certification provides a starting point and foundation for your IT career as an entry level IT technician. A CompTIA A + technician offers technical and operational IT support and maintains, troubleshoots and repairs PCs, mobile devices, operating systems and peripheral equipment.

TechSherpas CompTIA A+ training course provides qualified training and preparation for your CompTIA A+ certification for participants who already possess basic computer skills.

 

Cisco Certified Entry Level Technicial (CCENT) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

For aspiring network technicians, a Cisco Certification as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and/or Cisco Certified Entry Level Technician (CCENT) as a stepping-stone to becoming an associate is the way to go. Typical job titles for professionals with such a CCNA certification are “Systems Administrator,” “Network Administrator” or “Network Engineer.”

 

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is an entry level IT certification and a stepping-stone to becoming a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Both certifications are part of the Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP) program.

There are 17 different focus areas for an MCSA, among them:

  • BI Reporting
  • Cloud Platform
  • Office 365
  • Windows 10
  • SQL 2016 Database Administration

Depending on which area or areas you want to focus on, you can select the particular MCSA accordingly. You can also group several of these focus area certifications (as illustrated in our Microsoft Certification Map). This enables you to achieve the mid-level Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification.

TechSherpas is a Microsoft Gold Partner and as such specially certified by Microsoft to provide training and certifications for MCSA and MCSE. Have a look at our course catalog to get a better overview about the various training courses and learning solutions that help you to get your IT career started or better yet, take it to the next level.

 

Sources:
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/5-it-certifications-to-get-your-foot-in-the-door/
https://certification.comptia.org/certifications
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/entry.html

 

MCSA Certification – How to become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate

Microsoft’s MCSA Certification is a stepping-stone for IT professionals to obtain their MCSE Certification. This is a part of the certification program for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP). A certification as MCSA also provides you with the necessary core skills that qualifies you for entry-level positions as an IT professional/developer. While MCSE stands for “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert”, the “A” in MCSA marks the status of an “Associate”. A MCSA is therefore a “Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate”. Such a certification as MCSA is a prerequisite to become an MCSE, which we have already covered the subject of MCSE in last week’s post.

Overview of the different MCSA Certification Focus Areas

  • MCSA – BI Reporting
  • MCSA – Cloud Platform
  • MCSA – Data Engineering with Azure
  • MCSA – Linux on Azure
  • MCSA – Machine Learning
  • MCSA – Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • MCSA – Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations
  • MCSA – Office 365
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 BI Development
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 Database Administration
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 Database Development
  • MCSA – SQL Server 2012/2014
  • MCSA – Universal Windows Platform
  • MCSA – Web Applications
  • MCSA – Windows 10
  • MCSA – Windows Server 2012
  • MCSA – Windows Server 2016

MCSA Certification at TechSherpas

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we at TechSherpas are certified by Microsoft to operate as a training and certification provider for various Microsoft products, including MCSA and MCSE. MCSA Certification

Are you still undecided whether you want to aim for the expert level (MCSE) right away, or whether you will be fine with the MCSA Certification alone? No problem, you do not have to decide right away! However, if you already do have a more concrete plan geared towards a MCSE certification, please take a look at our certification map. It gives you an overview about which courses and certifications to select/aim for in order to obtain these Microsoft certifications. Simply click on the preview to get to an enlarged view of the map.

MCSA Certification Boot Camps

Our boot camp learning solutions offer you the possibility to obtain your MCSA certification over the course of just a few days. You have two options to do so:

  • Locally, in the classroom environment of our training facilities (see the “ICL”/“In-Classroom Learning” marker in our course catalogue). We offer our courses at various locations and various dates throughout the year.
  • Virtually, from the comfort of your own computer at home or the office. See our Virtual Live Training (“VLT) option.

Do you have further questions or need assistance with enrolling? Simply contact us, either by phone or via our contact form.

 

Sources:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/mcsa-certification.aspx
https://techsherpas.com/microsoft-certification-map/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/microsoft-certified-professional.aspx