October 23, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Hi folks,
I've been working as database developer for 5.5 years. As time goes by, it's quite normal to be burned out.
Will it be a good move to start a new career in BI? Will BI field be more in demand in the future? I'm concerned that I will start at entry level again. Finances will be affected too.
Advices will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
October 24, 2014 at 12:42 am
In those 5.5 years, did you ever work with SSIS, SSAS or SSRS?
BI developers will be in demand in the future, but their skill set will probably go beyond those 3 tools I just mentioned.
Big data is becoming more and more important (or maybe the hype will die, who knows), data visualization is getting hot, cloud is also worth mentioning and so on.
The biggest advantage you have as a database developer is that you know how to write SQL queries. If I were you, I would start out as an ETL developer (the biggest part of a BI project) and slowly work towards the other tools.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
October 24, 2014 at 5:10 am
Thanks Koen for providing insights.
I had worked with SSRS. Little experience with SSIS. No experience with SSAS. My experience is on building databases and reports of web applications.
I'm also more visual person. I like to see data in report, form or other format in presentable and organized way.
October 24, 2014 at 5:21 am
Feel free to share your experiences as well.
Thanks.
October 24, 2014 at 5:25 am
shield_21 (10/24/2014)
Thanks Koen for providing insights.I had worked with SSRS. Little experience with SSIS. No experience with SSAS. My experience is on building databases and reports of web applications.
I'm also more visual person. I like to see data in report, form or other format in presentable and organized way.
In that case you can start as a report developer and start learning SSIS along the way.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
October 27, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Got job opportunity for SSIS Developer. Also have another for Database Developer but haven't started the process. With SSIS Developer, salary will be lower than the DB Developer.
Which one would I choose?
October 28, 2014 at 1:48 am
shield_21 (10/27/2014)
Got job opportunity for SSIS Developer. Also have another for Database Developer but haven't started the process. With SSIS Developer, salary will be lower than the DB Developer.Which one would I choose?
We cannot make that decision for you of course 🙂
If you say you are burned out as a DB developer and you want to try something new, you could try the SSIS developer. It is normal that you earn a little less since you are basically a junior in the field. I guess it depends on how big the pay gap is and if you can cope with it.
Maybe you can negotiate, because your skills as a DB developer will come in handy as a SSIS developer. After all, ETL has a lot of SQL in it.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
October 28, 2014 at 6:19 am
Anytime you have a specialized position, then you could see a higher rate of pay than that of a generic position such as just a plain old database developer or just developer. That's because some organizations are willing to pay a little extra to get someone in the door who can exceed at that specific set of tasks or task.
But, it's not always the case. I know in my area, all database developers who work with SQL Server are sort of expected to work in SSIS. Therefore, sometimes moving from the two titles can normally mean the same work, which means the same rate of pay depending on years of experience. The only differential here is the fact that you would be a database developer trying to fill a role for SSIS developer where your SSIS is very low. Therefore, your experience level could decrease the rate rather than increase based on a title change. But, I could be wrong.
I personally am a database developer who works with SSIS, SSRS and SSAS. I do ETL development, BI development and DW development. My title was chosen to reflect a general developer in all areas of database development as opposed to just calling me an ETL developer, BI developer or even SSIS/SSRS/SSAS developer. I didn't want employers to think that I was restricted to just one type or a limited type of skillsets with SQL Server development.
That doesn't mean that I think that I'm a master of all these areas or trying to be one. I just want the benefit to choose a direction without my title pushing me in that direction if I decide to change my mind. For example, if I was a SSIS developer for 5 years, it may be hard to convince someone that I can also do SSRS development too. But, if I was a general developer, it's a little easier to say that my role included SSRS development.
October 30, 2014 at 6:17 pm
I think there is good potential in BI. From what I've seen there is a want from employers to have a background or understanding of basic statistics. BI turns data into information via trends or other insights. Getting that data from one scope to the other with ETL tools is lots of planning. As a database developer you understand the importance and have experience with generating the correct datatypes and such to avoid space issues. So SSIS is something I think you can pick up with out too much effort. From there you can move to reporting if you havent already. Over time you'll learn when to create calculations in the report and when to do them in the procedure (depends on if other want the same data but not summarized as in report A made for department A only). So you interact more with the end user and that can be fun.
----------------------------------------------------
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply