More Than Just Canada: Microsoft Debating World-Wide MCSE Name Change
6/20/2001 -- Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine reports in its July 2001 issue that Microsoft is considering a world-wide revision of the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) moniker.
The article, which appears on page 16 of the issue, says that "Microsoft has considered following suit with IBM and Cisco, both of which use 'expert' in the name of their premier credentials...[Microsoft is] also debating the possibility of revamping the title altogether." Eckhardt Bohme, a certification manager for Microsoft, is cited as the source of the information.
Although it has previously been speculated that Microsoft would change "Engineer" to "Expert" for Canadian MCSEs due to conflicts with licensing boards there, the article is the first time that Microsoft has publicly acknowledged that it is considering changing the name of the title for all MCSEs, or perhaps even scrapping the acronym for something else altogether.
Currently, the magazine's online counterpart, MCPMag.com, is conducting a survey to get MCSEs reaction to possible replacement titles. According to Dian Schaffhauser, editorial director of MCP Magazine, the information gathered will be shared with Microsoft. (Note: MCP Magazine and CertCities.com are both owned by 101communications.)
To participate in the poll, go to http://mcpmag.com/surveys/mcse. For more information about Microsoft's certification program, click here.  -B.N
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There are 67  user Comments for “More Than Just Canada: Microsoft Debating World-Wide MCSE Name Change”
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| 6/26/01: Anonymous says: |
I've worked with lots of traditional engineers. The common bond between all I've met is that they love to talk about the "oh so insignificant" things that nobody else gives a damn about. Keep up the stereotype. It gives us something to talk about while we're fixing your workstations and networks! |
| 6/27/01: Faz says: |
Total agreement with Bill D. Microsoft certification is definately a Cash Cow Feeding Program. Once you start, that's it. Microsoft being Microsoft will probably change the name anyways. MCSEngineer should stay as everyone knows what it is. F.A MCP; MACP |
| 6/27/01: Captain says: |
Hey, Don Christopher, lighten up, eh? Just exactly when did we Canadians start becoming so god-awful humourless? And let's not kid ourselves, they may be "rude and self-centred" but they could also kick our collective Canuck arses without breaking a sweat so don't antagonize them unless you're willing to man the barricades somewhere along the longest undefended border in the world. Realistically, if it wasn't for the U.S., Canada would be little more than yet another strife-torn third world country. We need them a hell of a lot more than they need us. Best wishes from Medicine Hat, AB! |
| 6/27/01: Jean says: |
I stole this bit from Cramsession but it's still pretty funny - MCSE - Male Causcasians Seeking Employment. That's right on the money (U.S. greenbacks, not those worthless devalued 62 cents Canuck-bucks), oui mon amis? |
| 6/27/01: Kevin says: |
Expert, Engineer, MCSE, MCSE, MCA, MCP...whatever. It's still missing one thing: "W" for WIRELESS. The CWNE is coming July 9 to cwne.com, and we're not scared to say "Engineer". |
| 6/27/01: Erik says: |
There should not be even an argument about this. Microsoft should call it whatever they want. They give and create the tests. So they should be the ones to create the titles. So keep the name (MCSE) and if certain states or countries don't like the word "Engineer," then let them deal with it. Which will mean that nothing will be done. What are they going to do? Call Bill Gates and say,” Stop doing that Bill." Come on. This is very ridiculous. The future problem is that this could snowball into something else. Other titles from other companies may have some small city in some small country telling Microsoft, or that other company, that the title given is in conflict with some sort of law or what not. Are we going to change the name because "someone" may have a problem with it? Just drop the debate and use the money for better technology. |
| 6/27/01: Terry says: |
The problem is that the use of the word "Engineer" is a protected word in the law. This is observed in the breech rather than in practice in the US, but carefully controlled in most other countries. Technically to hold oneself out as an "Engineer" one must be licensed by the appropriate agency or body responsible for licensing engineers in that country or state. Consider the situation if we called this certification "Microsoft Certified Systems Doctor" The State Medical Board would be on this in a minute. Such care is exhibited with regard to all the licensed professionals in other countries. Speaking as a registered professional engineer, I find this whole issue silly, but many "Engineers" do not. |
| 6/27/01: Captain says: |
Hey, Terry, lighten up on that whole "registered professional engineer" thing you got going there, sport. You (and your brethren) are taking yourselves waaaaaaayyyyy too seriously. If you want to hunt down "licensed professionals" who are abusing your precious "protected word" why don't you start with "maintenance engineers" or "sanitation engineers" or "railroad engineers"? Kind of puts in all in perspective, eh? By the way, state boards only care if you refer to yourself as a "Medical Doctor". They couldn't care less if you referred to yourself as ...oh say... a "Love Doctor" or a "Sex Doctor" or even (God Forbid) - a "Network Doctor". (I'm using my University of Chicago Law School degree-holding wife as a source on this one.) Being an MCS-whatever is no big deal - not when there's almost 500,000 of prancing around. Now the CCIE, no that's a REAL cert! Chill out, Terry, you'll live longer and people will like you a hell of a lot more. Life's too short for ball-busters, eh? |
| 6/27/01: Man of says: |
Personally, I don't care what they do with the name. I've been an MCSE for a few years, and I've been fortunate enough to work on several projects that have broadened my experience. The way I see it, as long as you can become an MCSE by pounding exam simulations or taking courses taught by MCTs who can't buy a clue, the certification will continue to lose credibility regardless of what we call it. Making the MCSE title a respectable credential will take a lot more than changing the name every so often. I'm tired of running into so-called MCSEs who can't cut it in the field. |
| 6/27/01: Kailas says: |
Thanks to the Microsoft for deciding to change the name from 'Engineer' to 'Expert'. As expert has broader meaning than engineer. In IT field people know certification with the name MCSE, So that does not affect the popularity. |
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