The MCSE certification process follows an increasing level of both knowledge and experience. Although in theory it is possible to pass the written exams without practical experience, this may not mean that a good MCSE job will be immediately available upon receiving the certification. As in most fields, increasing responsibility and increased pay levels follow increased hands-on experience. Find more info at

For the person newly graduated from college or technical school with a degree or certification in IT courses, job hunting can be just as strenuous or sometimes even discouraging as it is for other fields of specialization. Employers are looking for only the best and the brightest, and then the potential candidate for the IT or other positions is expected to start at the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of responsibility and income.

However, this experience is not unique to MCSE jobs, but is found in most fields of endeavor. Law school graduates start out as law clerks, performing research for the highest paid partners, Medical school graduates do not become neurosurgeons upon graduation, and accountants cannot even sit for CPA exams in most states without 2-3 years of experience doing grunge work for one of the big firms.

It is important to start out with a determination to stay the course; be prepared to blanket the industry with your resume. Do everything possible to gain that critical experience that can make the difference between two candidates for a job with equal educational background. Finding a mentor early in your career, perhaps while still in the formal educational part of your learning, can be the single most helpful activity to help you on your way to successfully locating and snaring MCSE jobs.