Which is better, an MCSE or an MCSA?

Whats better (MCSA then MCSE) or SISCO? i need advice on which course to do.?

• Iv been told that Microsoft courses will open up just about any door i wanted to walk though but how true is that?

• Answer:

  An MCSE is a higher level certification than an MCSA. Technically they are two different certs, but you can get your MCSA while you're getting your MCSE. I assume you're talking about CISCO certifications (like a CCNA). Those certifications center around the back end of an IT department. Routers, switches, WAN connections, that kind of stuff. In my mind, the Microsoft certifications will make you more marketable to smaller companies, and the Cisco certs will make you more marketable to larger companies. Most companies now outsource their network back-end to private firms. If you go the Cisco route, you'll either be working for a very large corporation, or for an IT firm that does work for a lot of very small companies. If you get Microsoft certs, there are a lot more jobs available to you (because every company usually needs a Microsoft guy, but not a Cisco guy). However, those jobs usually command lower salaries. I guess it depends on what you want to do. If you want to do a lot of Network design, and don't mind traveling then go Cisco. If you'd rather do day-to-day stuff for the same company, go Microsoft.