chris_masiero (10/6/2013)
I really don't know if being an expert is even required for 95% of jobs.What would you call the level you reach once you are able to understand how to interpret, and modify expertly written examples from this website.
I mean, there are a lot of people who say they are an expert at SQL and barely know how to perform a join or just know the basics of INSERT, UPDATE , etc. But take me for example, I've just spent 3 years 'porting' myself over to the paradigm that is SQL development. I use this and other sites a lot and can produce some pretty good stuff, but I would hardly consider myself an expert - just a competent builder tweaking the experts plans to suit my own household requirements.
I might even fail a 'test' in an interview if they wanted me to write something of the top of my head that involves some of the more exotic SQL.
Most jobs don't need experts. However our pursuit of "expert skills" or "mastery" is one thing that helps us enjoy careers and give meaning to our work.
If you know most of the stuff we publish and can duplicate it yourself, you're certainly advanced, perhaps expert.