September 9, 2015 at 10:30 pm
I've been using SS, off and on, more on in the last 10 years, in one way or another since version 4.3 in the late 80's.
However, I got sidelined at one job (project prototype I developed got outsourced and all I had to do was analyst work), and things just sort of passed me by.
I'd like to get some decent training, but don't want to fall victim to some of these shill boot camp things where you're just crammed through and spend a lot of money for the opportunity, and don't really come away with enough retention.
Problem is, I CANNOT find any SS classes at local community colleges anymore. Is there some contract or something with MS that SS classes will only be offered by for profit concerns?
Anyway, I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I see some local training outfits (one week boot camp, 3000 bucks), and, I'd like to spend my money wisely.
Do certificates mean anything anymore? Seems when I've done self study, the questions were better answered by someone who took the class, then went off and worked with the stuff for a year, then came back and took the tests. I don't find certificates by themselves that impressive, but with my long history with SS, it might still gain some attention on a resume.
Anyway, anyone know of some training options in this area?
Or maybe free online stuff? PASS.org? Is their stuff deep enough?
Thanks.
Dwight
September 10, 2015 at 7:42 am
Let's start from the bottom.
The free stuff, like PASS, can be as deep as you want it to be. It really depends on the class and the instructor. I teach at a lot of SQL Saturday events (SQLSaturday.com[/url]), but I mainly cover beginner and intermediate. However, you'll find plenty of people at these events doing deep dives (as deep as you can get in an hour), so yeah. Same thing goes for the virtual chapters and the local chapters (here's one in San Fran[/url]). Depending on the speaker, they're going deep. Absolutely explore the free stuff at SQLPASS.ORG[/url].
Also, PASS has paid events. The Summit is coming up at the end of October in Seattle. That has all day pre-conference seminars that dive really deep taught by some of the most knowledgeable people in the business. Then there are three days of sessions by these people and others on every topic under the sun. So yeah, PASS has a lot of what you need.
Disclosure: I'm on the PASS Board and have volunteered for the organization.
Certificates. Absolutely not a fan. I think they're worthless. Others will disagree.
I don't know what's available for paid training in San Francisco. I can however suggest one place to look for some of the best training you can get. SQLSkills.com is the single best collection of trainers and consultants that I know. They have multiple levels of training from beginners to as deep as you can go. I'd suggest looking at their schedule and seeing what they can do for you.
Other free resources, Redgate, my employer, publishes e-books for free [/url](you can purchase paper copies). They're written by serious people and go through a very thorough technical review process, so they're good. You're also already on one of the single greatest free resources for SQL Server, SQL Server Central. Don't just read the articles, go to the forums and try answering questions. That will teach you a ton.
After that, hands on and practice are key, get your own copy of SQL Server. If you have access to an MSDN license, you're set. If not, the Developer Edition is, I think, $60 from Amazon. If you're serious about learning it, it's cheap at four times the price.
That ought to get you going. You can always post questions here on the forums to get other help.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
September 10, 2015 at 8:14 am
As a PASS Chapter leader, I would recommend looking for a local chapter. It's one of the best ways to find out what's available and what's happening locally. Somebody might know about local resources you never heard about.
For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]
September 10, 2015 at 8:18 am
Microsoft Virtual Academy is free, and has some quite good modules (some better than others). You can earn points as you go along and stuff, and it has courses pitched at different levels so you can do all the Level 1 courses first if you like.
Off the top of my head I can't think of any DBAs that I work with who have the certification. (I'm sure plenty of them could pass it but they don't need to.)
September 10, 2015 at 8:26 am
Beatrix Kiddo (9/10/2015)
Microsoft Virtual Academy is free, and has some quite good modules (some better than others). You can earn points as you go along and stuff, and it has courses pitched at different levels so you can do all the Level 1 courses first if you like.Off the top of my head I can't think of any DBAs that I work with who have the certification. (I'm sure plenty of them could pass it but they don't need to.)
I was involved in hiring a DBA once. We hired one with some DBA certification. I can't remember which one. He only lasted a month or two. He was one of those that studied to pass the exam; not to learn the material. He could talk the talk but couldn't walk the walk. This goes to show that certification by itself doesn't mean much.
For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]
September 10, 2015 at 8:52 am
Grant Fritchey (9/10/2015)
Certificates. Absolutely not a fan. I think they're worthless. Others will disagree.-------------------------------
After that, hands on and practice are key, get your own copy of SQL Server. If you have access to an MSDN license, you're set. If not, the Developer Edition is, I think, $60 from Amazon. If you're serious about learning it, it's cheap at four times the price.
I'm with Grant on the certification thing, although where I work we're required to have a certification within one (maybe two, can't recall) versions of the current version of SQL Server we're running. Which means I need to get around to finishing the upgrade exams for SQL2012 and may as well push on to the MCSE Data Platform...
I'd also say get the Dev edition, if you don't have an MSDN subscription. I picked up SQL Server 2014 Developer Ed off Amazon last night for just about $50, so grab it. Great to use to get the feel, get your hands "dirty" with it.
September 10, 2015 at 8:57 am
jasona.work (9/10/2015)
Grant Fritchey (9/10/2015)
Certificates. Absolutely not a fan. I think they're worthless. Others will disagree.-------------------------------
After that, hands on and practice are key, get your own copy of SQL Server. If you have access to an MSDN license, you're set. If not, the Developer Edition is, I think, $60 from Amazon. If you're serious about learning it, it's cheap at four times the price.
I'm with Grant on the certification thing, although where I work we're required to have a certification within one (maybe two, can't recall) versions of the current version of SQL Server we're running. Which means I need to get around to finishing the upgrade exams for SQL2012 and may as well push on to the MCSE Data Platform...
I'd also say get the Dev edition, if you don't have an MSDN subscription. I picked up SQL Server 2014 Developer Ed off Amazon last night for just about $50, so grab it. Great to use to get the feel, get your hands "dirty" with it.
+ 1 for the Developer's edition.
For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]
September 10, 2015 at 9:43 am
I think I have 2008 Dev. Edition on my laptop. Problem is, it is R2, or I updated to R2, and when I went to run SSAS stuff, from one of my Microsoft certification books, it threw up with R2. Seems the book and supplied software only liked the previous version.
Thanks for everyone's responses.
September 10, 2015 at 9:50 am
DSNOSPAM (9/10/2015)
I think I have 2008 Dev. Edition on my laptop. Problem is, it is R2, or I updated to R2, and when I went to run SSAS stuff, from one of my Microsoft certification books, it threw up with R2. Seems the book and supplied software only liked the previous version.Thanks for everyone's responses.
Upgrade to the newest version. If you're just getting started, don't start with seven year old code. It's a waste of your time. Plus, most of what you learn (and my most, I mean well over 90%) when working with 2014 will be applicable back to 2005, so it won't be wasted.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
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