What are the Benefits of MCP Training?

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"

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.