I would like to gain the skills to be able to train other users or
provide technical support in the area of MS Office 2000. I am
looking into the Microsoft Office 2000 User Specialist (Mous)
exams, and would like to know if you would recommend this course of
study?
Mous is the best way forward
David Reed
Marketing assistant, Monarch Recruitment
The Microsoft Office User Specialist is an industry-wide
accreditation that will certify your expertise in MS Office.
There are two levels of Mous certification - core and expert -
and you can gain accreditation in all areas of Office.
Most courses run for about 10 weeks on a part-time basis,
culminating in a 45-60-minute exam.
Mous accreditation will give you the product knowledge to train
others, although the crucial element is your own ability to
communicate your knowledge to others. If you are comfortable
training others, Mous accreditation will provide all the technical
skills you need to solve problems and coach.
There are a variety of alternatives available. The most
compelling of these is to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer
(MCT). This will permit you to train others.
However, this qualification is designed to lead you to instruct
IT professionals at Microsoft Certified Technical Education
Centres, and you need in-depth product knowledge to be
eligible.
People who follow this route are aiming to become full-time
Microsoft trainers - therefore you must decide whether this fits in
with your career plans.
To conclude, Mous accreditation is the best way forward for you
- it will give you a thorough knowledge of MS Office which you can
then use to educate others, and potentially obtain MCT status.
From a personal point of view, whatever Microsoft accreditation
you gain will increase your marketability should you decide to make
a career move anytime in the future.
The panel: Apex, MBS International, Best International Group,
Computer Futures, Computer People, Elan, ITNTO, Monarch
Recruitment, Reed Computing
Should I stay or should I go?
Are you at a career crossroads? Whether you are unsure how to
reach the next rung on the ladder or want to take a totally new
direction, e-mail your Next Move questions to cwxtra@rbi.co.uk.