[Windows SIG] MCSE, RIP

[lists at chrisbaker.net]

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/default.mspx

Microsoft has recently announced a "new generation of IT certifications."
As a result, Microsoft will be retiring what was its most popular
certification and what was also the most disrespected certification in the
history of the IT profession. The MCSE is dead.

It shouldn't be much of a surprise. Microsoft has always been able to
re-invent something when it isn't working. In the late 1990's, the MCSE
was a big hit for them. This was on Windows NT 4.0. Then, those
individuals who had spent hours and hours studying found themselves with a
certification that wasn't respected by anyone who actually had the power
to hire them. Microsoft got at least $600 from the professionals, but
nothing changed for the professionals who were simply looking for a way to
improve their position. They also had an army of corrupt schools that were
telling everyone: "Come here. Get certified. Make big bucks."

Microsoft knew they had a problem. Even _Microsoft Certified Professional_
magazine once admitted that non-MCSE's were making more money than MCSE's.
They supposedly made the tests tougher. Since I took only one test after
getting my MCSE on NT 4.0, I can't say if they were or not. I do know that
many people at all experience levels were taking Microsoft tests in 1998
and 1999. By 2001-2, very few people were taking Microsoft tests.

The damage had already been done. The reputation of the MCSE never
recovered. Employers did not respect it. IT professionals didn't want to
waste time and money for a certification that they knew wouldn't help
them. Some MCSE's even started to leave the MCSE off their resumes!

Microsoft now has the Microsoft Certified Information Technology
Professional, MCITP. It will be interesting to see if people respect this
one or not.