What are the Benefits of MCP Training?

by Amelia Gray
Online Education Columnist

Completing a technical training course to become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) has real, financial benefits, a recent survey found.

Passing one or more exams within Microsoft's professional certification program means attaining a high standard of technical education. For many individuals, certification pays off in the form of raises, bonuses, and new careers. A survey in Redmond magazine found that salaries for workers with MCP titles increased 3.3% between 2005 and 2006.

Technical Training's Gold Standard
Many technical professionals say that MCP certification gave them the initial help that they needed in the technical world. As David Guibord, a network administrator in Farmington Hills, Michigan, tells MCP Magazine, "[certification] initially got me the job." Technical training and expertise can be essential, particularly if you are trying to land your first IT job or are making a significant career move to a larger company or a new job.

MCP Education for Top Tech Jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics placed a number of high-tech careers at the top of their "Fastest Growing Occupations" list for 2005. For each career, MCP certification can give candidates an educational and competitive edge.

Popular MCP certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)

Of course, no certification training program can guarantee a particular career or salary, but MCP certification adds a proven advantage to many application portfolios. For aspiring IT workers, securing MCP certification can be an important addition to existing education, experience, and technical knowledge.

Sources
MCP Magazine, "2006 Salary Survey: Time for a Raise!"
Microsoft, "What It Means to Be an MCP"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Fastest-Growing Occupations"

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Arizona State University and an MFA from Texas State University.