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I got my MCSE certification in 1996. That was when it was split up between 4 required courses, and two electives, with about 5 electives to choose from. I chose IP, and Windows networking as my electives. I took NT Workstation, Server, Win 95, and WFW 3.11 (yes Win 3.11 was a required course as late as 96--go figure, huh?) which were required. I kept the test, and have gone back to it over the years, and so far I have run into maybe 3 things that were covered by the test, and perhaps 10 that was covered in the course material. In short, the certification that guarantees anyone that I know my stuff about MS Products did NOTHING to prepare me for real world scenarios. I can remember my first call as a MCSE was to set up a network printer on an NT 4.0 network. Didn't have a clue. The course material didn't even cover such a basic task as that. I figured it out on my own as I have with almost every other thing I have had to know. The course material was utterly useless. The only good thing I can say that I got out of being an MCSE is access to MS's tech net site, which has been quite useful over the years. Basically the certifications are what I feel is just another profit center for MS. Anyone competent in networking can figure out almost anything they need to know in NT, and it's even easier in Win 2K. Basically, if you think the certification will get you more money, do it, but don't do it for "personal enrichment", as I have learned that the courses are useless in an everyday environment.

My son recently got his MCSE. I was amazed at how quickly and easily he passed the tests - studying the book a day or so before the test and finishing well before the time given. (Is it that easy or is he just that smart :) ?) I'm not aware of his taking any classes, he's 22 and has been working for 2 years in networking stuff (techinical term here) and setting up retail websites, etc. He's had very little formal education in computers, but seems to have a natural ability for it. I keep bugging him to get his degree. (He started working toward a Chemical Engineering degree and quit after 1-1/2 years.) Should he find it necessary to seek other employment, what type of computer languages/classes would any of you recommend that he have under his belt to make him most employable?