September 16, 2002 at 8:06 am
It's looking like my company is going to be designating me as the DBA and wants me to give suggestions on traing and seminars. We've got a local company that can do the MCDBA training, but I was wondering about the PASS seminars. Are they worth spending the bucks for one, or should I get more experience under by belt first. Any one have an opinion they would like to share?
September 16, 2002 at 7:06 pm
I've been to PASS once (last year, going again this year). They have a bit of everything, I would think that a person new to the field would learn a lot - even though much of the content might be over your head, it wont be for long! It's worth going. Alternatively you might look at SQLLive or VSLive (different companies run them) if they are closer to you. Conferences good way to round out your education.
I dont experience with SQL training, self taught via books and practice. Pursuing MCDBA is a good way to learn, but you wont learn all you need in getting there. An intro course is probably worth while, followed by lots of books and magazines (and web sites of course!).
Andy
September 17, 2002 at 3:50 am
This is my opinion at least doing the Microsoft ciriculum. Cost is ridiculous. If your company will pay then go for it. Might also consider doing MCSE or MCSD or both at same time as only 2 or 3 test seperate you from them both last time I looked. But if you are paying for yourself one of the SQL curiculums on CD or DVD is just fine and much cheaper, plus books on the exam are good so they give you the information you need to know (don't do transcenders except once or twice to test your knowledge as is easy t memorize the answers and not realize it). As for PASS, I haven't been but have heard good remarks on the discussions, good for you but not neccessarily going to be helpfull in study for the test.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
September 27, 2002 at 3:03 am
Hi,
Agree with Andy. As much as I'd like to go to a PASS seminar, I've not yet managed to persuade my boss to let me go...Just waiting for one to come back to the UK and then I will go along. However, I would recommend going to any kind of seminar or user group meetings if you can.
I go the UK SQL Server user group meetings and I have learnt so much from them. There a great resource as you get to learn about issues/setup's from a vast range of industry's.
As for MCDBA. Yeah it's good to go and learn that and like Antares mentions, if you get an MCDBA then you only need maybe a couple more exams for an MCSE/MCSD...
Clive Strong
September 27, 2002 at 4:31 am
I just went to SQL Live last week. It was great. This was the first conference I went to and I learned a lot. The majority of the sessions that focused on SQL Server I think are at a level to be useful to most everyone and easy to understand for the beginner.
What I didn't like was there were more than a couple sessions dedicated to .NET related subjects. I have nothing against .NET, it's just that I don't know .NET and don't expect to be givin the opportunity to learn it in my current position and so I have no interest in it. What I did learn about .NET in the conference I will soon forget for lack of use.
I recommend going to any conference with a lot of SQL Server content. I would go to SQL Live again as I learned enough that it was worth my time.
Robert Marda
SQL Server will deliver its data any way you want it
when you give your SQL Programmer enough developing time.
Robert W. Marda
Billing and OSS Specialist - SQL Programmer
MCL Systems
September 27, 2002 at 8:28 am
Personallly I've been to a number of conferences (PASS, TechEd, PDC, etc.) and I've found that the more junior you are, the more you learn from the seminars. As I've become more experienced, I usually stick around at the end of seminars and learn more from hearing others questions or getting 1-1 time with the experts.
IMHO, if you spend some time outside of the seminars talking with the others that are there, especially any MS people, you learn some interesting tricks and tips.
Steve Jones
September 27, 2002 at 8:52 am
I'd say get some experience, sometimes maybe a little painfull experience, but work with it first. While you'll learn a lot and feel you can handle it, then try for the classes (okay maybe a basic level class / book now).
If you go into the class without having worked with the product, you will spend too much time keeping up with the basics, and not enough learning the important stuff. Just having a feel for the standard tools, menus, terminology and buzzwords etc. will make you many times more productive in class.
Use the class to round out your knowledge, experience will get you going but you'll never find all of the little tricks and options available. Some are helpfull, some aren't but the experience part will tend to keep your focus narrow, the class will open things up.
And do try for a seminar like SQLLive, PASS etc there you can pick up a ton of bits and pieces of info. I really enjoyed SQLLive in spring, but my company will only send me to one a year but I thought it was well worth it.
KlK, MCSE
Edited by - kknudson on 09/27/2002 08:57:59 AM
KlK
September 27, 2002 at 10:54 am
Suck up the professional conferences if you can go. I used to help run the Air Force Information Technology Conference (open to US military and gov't only) and our attendees gained a lot from the technical briefings. There's a lot to be said for a PASS, InterOp, or what have you.
As far as training is concerned, you need to determine how you learn best. Give me a book and let me go teach myself and I'll gain a heck of a lot more than I will in a training class, unless I just need the setup. However, some friends of mine need the class environment to learn. We all learn differently. Once you know how you learn best, hopefully your company will be flexible.
K. Brian Kelley
http://www.truthsolutions.com/
Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring
http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1
K. Brian Kelley
@kbriankelley
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