MCDST - too many certification titles? What do you think?

Hi,

I just want to get some opinions out there about that new certification
MCDST. Already there has been quite a bit of confusion about MCSD and
MCSD.NET. Also it seems very few people outside of those taking exams, knows
about MCAD. Now yet another certification. What do you think?

See http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=619

Thanks.

Michael

Well, as the article makes clear, there are different certs for different
jobs. The desktop support cert doesn't make sense for a software developer,
and the MCSD.Net doesn't make sense for a helpdesk person unless they're
trying to become a developer.

Having said that, you are correct when implying the major audience for certs
is job seekers - - not employers. The certification industry (Microsoft,
Java, et al) is a profit center in and of itself. It sells books, it sells
CBT courses, it sells in-person training, it sells seats at conferences. I
suspect the actual exam administration contributes only a small percentage
of revenue in comparison.

You can see it in all the posts from certification holders complaining they
didn't recieve their lovely multi-colored certificates, their lapel pins, or
special graphics to decorate their business cards and resumes. I've never
had an employer ask to see any of these things. A Microsoft partner would
probably just want to check your transcript and leave it at that.

There's nothing wrong with certifications as long as your expectations are
in line with reality. Alas, I suspect this is not the case for many people.



"Michael" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Hi,
>
> I just want to get some opinions out there about that new certification
> MCDST. Already there has been quite a bit of confusion about MCSD and
> MCSD.NET. Also it seems very few people outside of those taking exams,
knows
> about MCAD. Now yet another certification. What do you think?
>
> See http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=619
>
> Thanks.
>
>

emg

I'm against it, but that's just me.
>-----Original Message-----
>Hi,
>
>I just want to get some opinions out there about that new
certification
>MCDST. Already there has been quite a bit of confusion
about MCSD and
>MCSD.NET. Also it seems very few people outside of those
taking exams, knows
>about MCAD. Now yet another certification. What do you
think?
>
>See http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=619
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>.
>

Jaime