The new Microsoft Certified
Desktop Support Technician certification provides the most effective approach to
gain the skills of successfully
troubleshooting desktop environments running on the Microsoft Windows XP
operating system. It is an entry-level certification presented by Microsoft for
the client and desktop professional.

A research by the U.S. Department of Labor, shows that Computer support
specialists held about 500,000 jobs in the year 2002, but at present there is
still a shortage of skilled
individuals to do this job. According to this research this is a fastest growing
occupation through 2012. MCDST certification provides an excellent opportunity
for those candidates who are interested in the job of support technicians
because it validates that the individuals have the skills to support end users
and to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments running on the Microsoft
Windows XP operating system. For more information you can visit.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm

rel='nofollow' target='_blank' href="http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_department.asp?articleid=917&zoneid

=63">http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_department.asp?articleid=917&zoneid=

63

IT managers are facing problems in recruiting their
technical staff and arranging the training for them. They would like to ensure
that their professionals are consistent and have the adequate knowledge of
supporting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications. The
organizations that have made plenty of investments in the Microsoft software can
utilize this certification as a benchmark for hiring support technicians and it
can be also used as a training tool for development of the professionals.

To achieve this certification Microsoft presents only two
core examinations. Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft
Windows XP Operating System, that measures the skills of the candidates required
for supporting users and troubleshooting the Windows XP operating system, and
exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a
Microsoft Windows XP Operating System that measures the skills needed to support
and troubleshoot applications like Microsoft office or internet explorer running
on Windows XP.

Any individual who is interested in making their career
in IT can opt for this certification. MCDST certification validates the skills
of help-desk technicians, customer-support representatives, PC support
specialists, technical-support representatives, and technical-support
specialists.

Benefits of Microsoft Certified Desktop Support
Technician certification:

1. It simplifies the process and reduces the cost of recruiting and hiring
the staff. It also reduces the time spent by the management and the inherent
risk in the recruiting, hiring and promotional process.

2.It lowers the costs involved in the training of the professionals.

>3.
It provides a benchmark to the organization for recruiting their staffs.

>4.
It provides a proof to the individuals for their abilities and skills.

>5.
It provides a certification that increases the qualification of the
individuals.

>6.
It will be very beneficial for those individuals who are struggling
for promotion.

Resources:

Books: The MS Press books are very good option for
any Microsoft certification but there are various other Venders too who have
published books for this certification. For MCDST certification some excellent
books are MCDST: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Study Guide
(Exams 70-271 and 70-272) by Bill Ferguson,
MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and
Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System by Walter Glenn, MCDST
70-272 Exam Cram 2: Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications
on a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2) by Diana Huggins, Will Schmied,
Ed Tittel.

Useful Sites: In addition to the books, you can
get a number of resources on the web. Some useful sites for you to get adequate
knowledge about certifications and practical articles are:

http://www.mcpmag.com,

rel='nofollow' target='_blank' href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp">http://www.microsoft.com/lear

ning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp,

www.developer.com,

http://www.csharpcorner.com.

Exam Simulation: Practice is the most important
ingredient for success. Although you have studied appropriate books, reviewed
effective articles, read tutorials and notes, they will not help you much, if
you do not practicing at all. Simulation exam provides you an environment of
actual exam, which helps to discover where are you lacking and how far are you
from success. It also enhances you confidence level.

uCertify is an
eminent provider of simulation exams. uCertify simulation exams contain highly
realistic questions, which provides true judgment of the candidates’
preparation level. Its simulation exams includes study notes, guides, technical
articles and “How Tos” and also presents valuable description of correct as
well as incorrect answers, which will enrich you knowledge.

Discussion forums: Certification forums are a very
good recourse for learning with others. With the help of forums you can clear
you doubts, you can ask them about their study techniques, learn about other not
popular certification resources and get moral support when you are tensed about
your exam. Some good forums are:

http://www.mcse.ms/forum12.html,

http://www.examnotes.net/forum100.html,

http://redmondmag.com/forums,

http://forums.windrivers.com,

http://www.mcmcse.com/forums.

http://forums.msdn.ph

About the Author:

uCertify was formed in 1996 with an aim to offer high
quality educational training software and services in the field of information
technology to its customers. uCertify provides exam preparation solutions for
the certification exams of Microsoft, CIW, CompTIA, Oracle, Sun and other
leading IT vendors. To know more about uCertify, please visit
rel='nofollow' target='_blank' href="http://www.ucertify.com/">http://www.ucertify.com/