What skills are taught in Microsoft Exchange Server courses?
Communication on demand can be an invaluable asset to an enterprise computing environment. Professionals who undergo Microsoft Exchange Server training will learn how to install, administrate, monitor and troubleshoot the Exchange Server communications system, as well as manage messaging security and recover servers and databases from crash events.
Advanced training courses cover the development and deployment of sophisticated messaging and security solutions. At the highest level, Microsoft Exchange Server training focuses on broad architectural and operational areas such as coexistence and migration, high availability and performance analysis.
Who is best suited to Microsoft Exchange Server training?
Although these courses have potential benefits for anyone whose place of employment makes use of Microsoft Exchange Server, training offers the greatest advantage to engineers, programmers or administrators looking to break into enterprise systems management. The elements of database administration, project management and enterprise deployment learned in Microsoft Exchange Server courses can help up-and-coming information managers increase the scope of their systems vision.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment opportunities for computer network, systems and database administrators are expected to swell massively in the coming years, adding nearly 300,000 jobs by 2018. Network systems and data communications analysts in particular should see an employment spike of 53 percent. For any IT professional looking to enhance their job security, Microsoft Exchange Server training might be a step in the right direction.
Can certification exams be taken after Microsoft Exchange Server courses?
Microsoft offers Microsoft Exchange Server training at four certification levels:
- Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
- Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP)
- Microsoft Certified Master (MCM)
- Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)
According to the 2011 IT Skills and Salary Report by training and certification resource GlobalKnowledge.com, professionals who had completed Microsoft Exchange Server training at the MCTS level earned a mean annual salary of $84,196 in 2010. Considering that the BLS reported a nationwide mean annual wage of $72,200 for all network and computer systems administrator occupations in 2010, it stands to reason that employers might prefer certified applicants for positions of greater responsibility and higher pay.
Are there any professions that require Microsoft Exchange Server training?
National job posting aggregator Indeed.com contained about 3,100 active postings for Microsoft Exchange Server jobs at the end of July 2011, with nearly 700 new entries added in the final few days. The bulk of these positions asked for proficiency with Microsoft Exchange Server, but formal Microsoft Exchange Server courses were infrequently listed as necessary.
Consensus among employers seems to be that on-the-job or informal training, combined with industry experience, is approximately equal to formal coursework. As the numbers show above, though, completing Microsoft Exchange Server courses and earning certification can help an applicant’s chances.
