“You can have data without information, but you cannot have information without data.” – Daniel Keys Moran. Data is everywhere we look. In this age of the internet, Google, and high tech reporting tools, businesses and people are flooded with an abundance of data. The flooding of data can be overwhelming, and difficult to analyze and take away valuable 
information. Isn’t data collected in order to provide information to assist with making important decisions? That’s kind of the point, right? That is precisely why data savvy people are so important to successful companies now more than ever. Data experts are needed to collect, organize, and analyze the flood of data from limitless resources.
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
One way people become experts in their particular line of work is through education and certifications. Studies show that 91% of hiring managers consider certifications as part of their hiring criteria. (Microsoft, Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012) With this being said, certification should be high on the To-Do-List to prepare yourself for success, right? Right!
Within the IT world there are several certifying organizations. Globally recognized, Microsoft is one of the largest. Microsoft offers various certification levels that fall under four main umbrellas (below). A Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification allows IT professionals to prove their ability to build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud. There are currently eight different MCSE certifications that fall within 2 of the 4 main umbrellas:
Client – MTA Server
- MCSE Desktop Infrastructure
- MCSE Server Infrastructure
- MCSE Private Cloud
- MCSE Communications
- MCSE Messaging
- MCSE SharePoint
Database
- MCSE Data Platform
- MCSE Business Intelligence
Developer – MCSD
The focus here is on MCSE. To get up to speed on the other levels of Microsoft certifications read the Certification blog here.
The Database Pathway – SQL Server Expert
The Database Pathway provides IT professionals with invaluable, sought after SQL Server skills. Data Platform courses teach how to demonstrate the broad skills needed to administer and build solutions for enterprise scale organizations. These courses also teach the design of database solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and the development of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 databases.
The Pathway to earn a Database or SQL Server MCSE begins the same, with an MCSA in SQL Server 2012, and then branches off into two distinctive areas. Depending on their job roles and career goals, IT professionals can choose from two different database pathways:
- MCSE Data Platform – for database professionals who build enterprise-scale data solutions on-premises or in cloud environments
- MCSE Business Intelligence – for database professionals who develop and deploy business intelligence solutions and reports
As illustrated above, interested MCSE candidates should obtain the following certifications and training in a specific order:
- MTA
- Database Fundamentals (40364) – 3 Day Course
- MCSA – SQL Server 2012
- Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10774) – 5 Day Course
- Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (10775) – 5 Day Course
- Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10777) – 5 Day Course
Then choose from these two paths:
- MCSE – Data Platform
- Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (10776) – 5 Day Course
- Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (20465) – 5 Day Course
- MCSE – Business Intelligence
- Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (10778) – 5 Day Course
- Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (20467) – 5 Day Course
For pricing and to register for these courses visit our MCSE Database Courses page. Be sure to also check out our promotion page to receive a discount and learn how to earn free MCSE training!
TechSherpas ’ headquarters in Tampa, FL is a Prometric testing center. When you are ready to take the exam, visit the Prometric website, locate TechSherpas and select a time and date to come in and sit for your exam. The MCSE exam cost is $150.00.
Why take certified Microsoft training courses before taking the certification exam?
When you take an exam you want to be as prepared as possible. This will ensure that you won’t have to retake the exam, and more importantly, it also gives you the SQL skills that hiring managers and companies are looking for.Sixty-four percent of IT hiring managers rate certifications as having extremely high or high value in validating the skills and expertise of job candidates. (CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011). Having a certification is one thing, and having experience and skills are a completely different thing. The truth is, hiring managers are looking for both! Getting extensive training, with hands-on labs give you more experience working within databases, in real work-place situations.
What kind of jobs and pay can I expect from this certification?
So you registered for classes, prepared for the MCSE certification exam, and passed! What’s next? What kind of job can you expect from having this credential on your resume? An MCSE certification can put you in a very good position when it comes time to find a job or lock in that promotion. It can also add some cash to your wallet as the MCSE is among the top 15 paying certifications of 2013.
Those with an MCSE certification, specifically in Data Platform or Business Intelligence make excellent candidates for the following positions:
- Database Analyst
- Database Designer
- Database Administrators
- Network Engineers
- Database Developers
- Systems Engineer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
Getting MCSE certified creates a pathway for success
Becoming a database expert by earning your MCSE Database Platform or MCSE Business Intelligence will certainly open doors for you. Certification, training, and experience are three of the top four most important characteristics when selecting a candidate for a cloud-related position. (IDC/Microsoft, Climate Change: Cloud’s Impact on IT Organizations and Staffing, November 2012). Visit our website and contact us today to get started on your MCSE journey.