Many IT experts have differing opinions on which certifications are most valuable to today’s technology professional. One thing most agree on, however, is that vendor-specific certs from Microsoft are among the most desirable accreditations to earn, thanks to the Windows operating systems and their vast market shares.
IT experts who want to display their comprehensive skills can rely on the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification to show both potential employers and possible clients their extensive knowledge.
Erik Eickel, a Tech Republic writer and IT professional, is confident that the MCITP credential is the up-and-coming Microsoft certification. In fact, Eickel ranked the MCITP certification No. 1 in Tech Republic’s annual “10 Best IT Certifications” report for the past three years in a row.
“By matching the new certification to popular job roles, as has been done to some extent with CompTIA’s Server+ (server administrator), Project+ (project manager), and A+ (desktop support) certifications, Microsoft has created a new certification that’s certain to prove timely, relevant, and valuable,” Eickel wrote in the most recent report.
What makes MCITP certification so valuable?
According to training information from Microsoft, MCITP basically picks up where MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification leaves off. Candidates for MCITP certification have at least two years of experience as IT professionals.
Eickel notes that the MCITP certification is unique because it matches skills in popular job roles. The accreditation is available in a number of different specialties which relate to several different IT professional career paths, so it is able to convey precise knowledge in one’s chosen area of expertise.
According to Microsoft, the MCITP certification is available in the following platforms:
Windows Client
Windows Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Office Project Server
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft SharePoint Server
Microsoft Lync Server
Certification exams are further broken down by job functions in each platform, including developer, technician and administrator roles. Eickel points out that some areas might be more applicable than others. He specifically highlighted the Enterprise Desktop Administrator, Server Administrator and Enterprise Messaging Administrator paths as being particularly relevant to today’s IT pros because newer Microsoft platforms are rapidly replacing retiring Exchange servers.
Banking on the MCITP certification
Because of its immediate application to so many up-and-coming job functions, earning MCITP certification can pay off for many IT pros. According to 2011 salary information from Global Learning, the mean annual salary for an IT professional with MCITP certification is $77,529. Data shows mean income figure can vary by specialization:
MCITP: Server Administrator – $75,311
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator – $79,824
MCITP: Database Administrator – $84,320
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator – $91,192
MCITP certification is likely to be a great way for today’s IT pros to display their skills and validate experience through its relevance to job-specific functions.
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