MCDST: Your First Step Into The IT Industry

It is said that the word IT starts with desktops. Forming the base of Information Technology, the desktop terminology has withstood its time. Though, there have been issues with desktop environs, but the term has said and is here to stay. Talking about issues with desktops, who would you call when the Operating System on your Desktop is troubling you? Guessed it right, a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. And with the popularity of this certification increasing by the day, you may not have to search far for a MCDS Technician.

Equipped with a MCDST Certification, the MCDS Technician will look at your desktop operating system (Whether it be Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP or even Windows Vista), analyze what the problem is, troubleshoot the problem and one step ahead, will look at fixing the issue. That is four-pronged benefit you get by taking the services of a MCDST Certified personnel.

Candidates who take the Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician certification need only pass two core examinations. The theme of the subjects for these two examinations are:

  • To provide support and troubleshoot a Windows XP operating system.
  • To provide support and troubleshoot applications running on a Windows XP operating system.
Candidates once certified, can provide support either over the telephone or by remotely logging into the user's desktop for the user who has complained of an issue. The fact that the MCDST certification has evolved itself to be compatible with Windows Vista operating system ensures that MCDST professionals will be in demand provided the get certified in the latest technologies.

Of course, an elementary level of knowledge of Windows XP Operating System and different applications running on Windows XP specifically will help the candidates a great deal. But the certification course itself is not so complex. If you understand the concepts decently, it is going to be smooth sailing for you in the MCDST Certification examinations. You can also look to be offered as an Enterprise Support Technician(MCITP) which is higher in complexity from the MCDST and allows you to deal with Network Architecture and System configurations in detail.

The first big benefit that I can think of from the MCDST Certification is that you can troubleshoot errors on Microsoft Windows XP and Vista Operating System desktops. With the demand for desktops always on the rise and not constraining itself geographically, you will be in demand in the global market, should you get the MCDST Certification. There are other auxiliary benefits which Microsoft offers to all its Microsoft Certified professionals.

Remember, more than anything else the MCDST Certification allows you a stepping stone to the IT industry. An industry which has and will constantly keep on re-inventing.

The choice is yours.