Discussion on:

Should you pursue the new MCSE?

My feelings about the re-branding are negative. The MCITP to my mind was just getting itself a foot-hold when Microsoft tip their baby out with the bathwater. All it does is confuse the people who were just getting used to not needing MCSEs ...

However, remember that Microsoft invest hugely in their exams. The quality of examination is not going to change just because there is another name attached.

I'm begining to think that some certifications have more value to the vendor as a way of promoting their product than to helping the techie. If you have developed a solid IT background in various platforms and have the abiltiy to learn the next big technology through self-study and hands on experience, I'd focus on the business side of things. Look at certifications and courses that have staying power and arn't linked to the vendor's production cycle.

Look at your first sentence please.
"Microsofts new MCSE program is the third incarnation of its certification series in then years. Is it worth getting?"

Did you intend to use the word "ten"
or the word "then"?

Beside certifications, spelling is also very important.

Sometime i feel that we the tech-ppl are in a race with vendor like Microsoft. At the pace they release new products is insane. Taking course and certs that are bit related to more than one business industry and not specific to one certain version of a certain product is useful (Guilty as charged, i have done it) but am hoping to be active on other non-microsoft related training.

My apologies for the poor spelling in my first post. The brain was working faster than my fingers. My love hate relationship with Microsoft does that to me sometimes.

I think some college or university continuing education certifications might be a better investment than a vendor specific certification. They dont expire over time and are often cheaper than doing something through a private school. Some will also give you the option of writing the vendor exam at the end of the course, so you get the best of both worlds. George Brown College in Toronto does this. They offer CCNA and A+ certifications along with their college credits.