As one of the Systems Analyst in our Information Systems Unit; I have the chance to be a member of the panel to interview new applicants for our department. There are many applicants of varied background. We have Windows NT, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, but we are looking for is someone with skill on Linux environment System Administration. None of the applicants qualified. Thus, we’re left without a choice, but select the best from the available list of applicants.

Even though our need is a System Administrator with Linux experience we tried to short list some of those who have attended MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) classes and MCSE certification. We have gambled on the idea as analysis of business requirements, design, implementation of system infrastructure will somehow be similar in whatever platform.

I could say that certification does boost ones chance of getting an entry level IT job. This will be true for recent college graduate with an IT degree. It would be a wise start to pick up some certifications so that there is a little more on the resume when looking for real jobs. MCSE is composed of a series of exams given by a Microsoft Certified Partner like QuickCert.

People who have been working for a while would argue that if you know what you are doing studying is not needed. Well, as the saying goes “there are different ways to kill a chicken”. Certifications like MSCE would certainly prepare one for the right way of doing things. Surely it will boost the chances of getting a job or a promotion.