October 23, 2013 at 9:49 am
I am currently unemployed and am using my current downtime to get trained in SQL Server . I worked in Excel a great deal in my previous career as a mid level Customer Service Analyst / Data Validator so learning a database wont be as difficult as a total newbie to working with large volumes of data .
I am currently learning SQL 2008R2 as that is the training I have available for me and it breaks everything down from proper syntax for writing clean readable code to the differences with SQL and TSQL so I am pleased with the course material and it also has exercises to reinforce the course material.
I have two concerns one to do with future employment and the other to do with future releases of SQL Server .
A)I am unemployed as stated previously . I am realistic with my career options as my SQL knolwdge will be limited , however in the interest of heading back to the workforce by the Spring of 2014 I have my nose pointed to be a Junior Report Developer / Analyst . I would feel very comfortable generating reports for Excel Or Access using SSRS as I have had to show spreadsheet presentations i.e. graphs, Pivot Charts in past jobs . So my question is can I jump directly into learning SSRS AFTER I have completed my SQL and TSQL training (this includes such topics as Inner and Outer Joins, Writing Aggregate Queries ,SubQueris ,CTE's , Design Patterns , Indexes , Triggers ,Geospatial Data ,CLOBs and BLOBs ,Creating Tables ) . Is SSIS necerrary to get position as a Report Writer ? I am anxious about returning to work so if I could would like to only study things I need now . If however it is necessary to learn SSIS then I wont take any shortcuts as I want to be a well rounded as possible since my knowledge wont be very advanced . Also is SSRS necessary for the same reason ?
B). With SQL2014 coming out is my training on SSRS 2008R2 in any way obsolete ? I do see some jobs still asking for 2005 users (I live in the North East , NYC to be exact) .. Will I still be able to gain employment at a junior level even if the role only needs SQL but may not necessarily be a Report Developer position per say . Also what jobs should I be looking for coming out ? A vague inquiry I know but if someone could ballpark it .
October 23, 2013 at 12:10 pm
A) It's difficult to get a job without experience, despite any training you have. So that's going to be a hurdle. I wouldn't mess around with SSIS because that is a whole different skill set from SSRS which you're trying to learn.
B) Yes, what you're learning is out of date with SQL Server 2014. But, it doesn't really matter because it's not like Office or Outlook. Even though it's going to be released in the coming months, very few companies will be installing it in their systems. Based on what I've seen with people I've talked to recently, most places are well entrenched in SQL Server 2008/2008R2 currently.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
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October 23, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Do you belong to a local user group? If not, try finding a local PASS chapter: http://www.sqlpass.org/PASSChapters/LocalChapters.aspx
Networking will be huge while you are looking to break in. Sign up to do a presentation on SSRS and start networking with the group. As far as learning goes look into PluralSight I know that they offer a out-of-work benefit where they will give you a 1 month subscription for free.
October 23, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Definitely go to a local user group. In particular, get a good mentor to help you learn. With the sheer volume of what you have to learn, a mentor will be a necessity. He/She would also make a great reference for your job application 🙂 ... and that will be absolutely critical for you as well given that you will not have work experience in this field.
You are certainly taking a thoughtful and serious approach to this. Congratulations on that, and the very best of luck in your search!
SQL DBA,SQL Server MVP(07, 08, 09) A socialist is someone who will give you the shirt off *someone else's* back.
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