Microsoft Certification Courses Can Improve IT Career Prospects

Microsoft certification courses enable students to become proficient in using certain Microsoft products. Microsoft certificates can qualify individuals for a wide range of roles and responsibilities ranging from working in desktop support to using popular software like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. They can be certified to follow any of over 30 different career paths. A student can become a Certified Solutions Experts or earn a Solutions Developer certificate. The Value of Microsoft Certifications With the rapid growth in the technology industry, qualified IT workers are in great demand. Certifications are a tool that Human Resources Departments use to determine which applicants are best suited for employment. For example, a certification can be very helpful in deciding between two applicants with an otherwise similar set of qualifications. Microsoft certifications also provide employers with an indication of an applicant's dedication to learning about their field and to staying on top of new developments within it. For the student, it provides them with set goals for self-improvement. Having these goals can motivate them to learn. For those who are already employed within the industry, earning a Microsoft certification can put them in a position for advancement within their company. One major benefit is that in many cases employers will pay their workers to become certified. Certification can be expensive, and being sponsored by their employer allows the student to learn and improve their skills without having to pay anything out of pocket. The demand for certified professionals is likely to rise over the foreseeable future as emerging technologies like cloud computing grow in popularity. Employers will probably continue to need workers who can present tangible evidence of their skills. According to the Microsoft website, 86 percent of hiring managers state that IT certifications are a priority for them as they assess candidates and 91 percent consider certifications when making hiring decisions. It is possible to find Microsoft certification courses via Microsoft's website or through local certification providers. Students can take their certification courses online or in person. Choosing a Microsoft Certification The courses may be chosen to fit with their desired career path. Here are a few examples of common IT career paths and the certifications that go with them: - Systems Engineer A Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification is a good option in this area as it prepares the student to run modern data centers and also to work in computer support. The MCSE is another good option for those who want to work as network administrators and who will be using Windows applications. - Application Developer The Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certification allows the student show their ability to create software for multiple platforms. The Developer track of the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification course is another good option for an application developer. - Database Analyst The MCSE: Data Platform certification qualifies students to show that they have the skills to build and administrate large-scale data solutions, which is important for work as a database analyst. Microsoft certifications are important milestones for IT professionals who are serious about advancing their careers. Students who want to advance in the IT industry should carefully consider their career goals when deciding which certification courses to enter.