September 1, 2016 at 5:39 am
Brandie Tarvin (9/1/2016)
djj (9/1/2016)
GilaMonster (8/31/2016)
So, I got roped into doing a professional development session for the local SQL Saturday."Becoming a successful SQL Developer"
Never done a professional development session before. Not sure how to approach it, or what people attending will be expecting. Help? Please?
Step 1: Get an account at SQLServerCentral.com
😀
Step 2: Learn communication skills (written and verbal)
I think the best people never stop learning and they actually enjoy it. If a developer (or DBA) doesn't like to continually learn, they'll either be miserable or obsolete within a few years.
September 1, 2016 at 6:09 am
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?
http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
September 1, 2016 at 6:16 am
Sean Lange (8/31/2016)
GilaMonster (8/31/2016)
So, I got roped into doing a professional development session for the local SQL Saturday."Becoming a successful SQL Developer"
Never done a professional development session before. Not sure how to approach it, or what people attending will be expecting. Help? Please?
The job title sql developer is so incredibly vague. Having looked at numerous position postings it is hard to determine a consistent skill set. Some places expect you to be totally up to date in numerous aspects of sql server (SSRS, SSIS, query optimization, etc) while others expect even a bit more including BA type of activities. Then there are the places that have a lower requirement. It might be a good approach to cover what typical requirements are for that title, and I suspect they change from location to location making it more challenging. Then touch lightly on each technology to discuss as a fairly high level what types of things you need to do and the common toolsets needed to be successful. Training options shouldn't be too bad to discuss as those don't really change much across the board. But the career prospects portion...I have no idea what that even means. I would think that the career prospects for something like this type of position are fairly flat as those of us who truly enjoy getting our hands dirty don't usually have aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder. Now that doesn't mean that we might move in responsibility some over time but at some level you would likely always have your hands in the code somewhere. Interesting topic. I would be interested to see what you come up with and what others in the thread think of for topics to discuss here.
Lol wut? How is SQL Developer any less vague than DBA? Any less vague than just Developer? Think you're splitting hairs here. Most positions have a wide range of skills that you either know or don't know. People are always casting wide nets, but the point is, what within that wide net can you provide to the business. Regardless of the diversity of those requirements business-to-business, SQL Developer should be pretty straight forward. Explaining what a developer would not because you are a developer of what? SQL? .NET? Python? Tableau? SSRS? SSAS? List goes on.
I would totally start at the heart of what SQL Developer is for most organizations. SQL. You can easily cover a range of topics from stored procs, performance tuning, anti-patterns and so forth. Then you can start branching out to other areas that may cover other specialized positions that are also lobbed in with SQL developers like data modeling, ETL, visualization (SSRS/Tableau) and even D/R.
September 1, 2016 at 8:10 am
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
Part of the get better with queries involves testing both results and performance.
Learn to do this well.
Some data modeling is very helpful.
Relationships, foreign keys, data types.
Specialize - learning a few topics very well can be more important many times than knowing many topics at a very shallow level.
Build a strong foundation.
As others mention, expect the job to entail a continual learning curve. Technology changes, and so do data needs.
September 1, 2016 at 8:34 am
Greg Edwards-268690 (9/1/2016)
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
Part of the get better with queries involves testing both results and performance.
Learn to do this well.
Some data modeling is very helpful.
Relationships, foreign keys, data types.
Specialize - learning a few topics very well can be more important many times than knowing many topics at a very shallow level.
Build a strong foundation.
As others mention, expect the job to entail a continual learning curve. Technology changes, and so do data needs.
If you get into data types, emphasize on the importance of proper data typing, avoiding implicit conversions that can change what looks like a SARGable criteria into a non-SARGable criteria. That seems to be one of the biggest issues here, and I see it frequently.
September 1, 2016 at 8:43 am
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
Looks good, Gail.
Just a couple of things that I'd include if I got volunteered for such a thing.
I can't speak for others but I owe a great amount of my personal success, not only in forums but on the job, to being able to rapidly create large volumes of test data that closely mimics what the tables being queried will actually contain. This is especially important where no such quantity of data exists on new projects and, of course, when building things like functions. It's also necessary to know how to put that data out on a file similar to what you might receive if you're designing some form of ETL whether it be in T-SQL or some tool such as SSIS.
You might even want to run a narrow example of something like that just to show them how fast it can run to wet their appetite.
Knowing how to interrogate execution plans is also a key. Although it may be a bit of an advanced subject for newbies, they should at least learn how to turn it on and start looking and learning. For example, do you really want that Index Seek, which turns out to be executing 60,000 times because of an improper index selection?
Learning some of the basic but uber important stuff, like SARGability, very early will make a new Developer's life a whole lot easier, as well.
Last but not least, no newbie should be allowed to use a Cursor or While loop for at least the first year because it's too easy to fall back on. People correctly say "Use them when appropriate" but most newbies aren't qualified to figure out what's actually appropriate.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
September 1, 2016 at 8:48 am
Jeff Moden (9/1/2016)
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
Looks good, Gail.
Just a couple of things that I'd include if I got volunteered for such a thing.
I can't speak for others but I owe a great amount of my personal success, not only in forums but on the job, to being able to rapidly create large volumes of test data that closely mimics what the tables being queried will actually contain. This is especially important where no such quantity of data exists on new projects and, of course, when building things like functions. It's also necessary to know how to put that data out on a file similar to what you might receive if you're designing some form of ETL whether it be in T-SQL or some tool such as SSIS.
You might even want to run a narrow example of something like that just to show them how fast it can run to wet their appetite.
Knowing how to interrogate execution plans is also a key. Although it may be a bit of an advanced subject for newbies, they should at least learn how to turn it on and start looking and learning. For example, do you really want that Index Seek, which turns out to be executing 60,000 times because of an improper index selection?
Learning some of the basic but uber important stuff, like SARGability, very early will make a new Developer's life a whole lot easier, as well.
Last but not least, no newbie should be allowed to use a Cursor or While loop for at least the first year because it's too easy to fall back on. People correctly say "Use them when appropriate" but most newbies aren't qualified to figure out what's actually appropriate.
IMPORTANT!! Find a mentor! Doesn't have to be someone at work or even locally. I credit ssc for much of what I have learned, and Jeff Moden is just one of the many heavy hitters that have had an big impact on my knowledge of SQL Server over the past 11 years and I have been working with SQL Server since 96 (SQL Server 6.5).
September 1, 2016 at 9:03 am
Thanks for the awesome compliment, Lynn. It's a two way street, though. I've learned a lot from you and the others, as well. As I've said so very many times, there's an awesome community of people here on SSC. I'm just glad that I had the opportunity to be a part of it.
As Gail said in her presentation, no one is 5/5 on everything.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
September 1, 2016 at 9:14 am
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
That's quite good for the time you have allocated. I know there was a joke about getting an SSC account but I actually do think something along those lines could be very helpful too. In my travels I see a lot of DBAs who could expand their knowledge considerably by being part of the SQL server community. It doesn't have to be SSC of course - I'm sure there are other good quality and friendly sites available.
Well, I'm reasonably convinced.
There must be, right?
September 1, 2016 at 9:23 am
rodjkidd (8/30/2016)
Jack Corbett (8/26/2016)
WayneS (8/26/2016)
I know where 5 Threadizens are going to be on Oct 24th, 2016. How many are going to join us?If I were attending PASS Summit this year I might go, but I'm missing the PASS Summit this year.
Well that's a pity - if only for the fact I won't being playing the annual game of 'Looking for Jack?' 😉
See I knew you jinked it last year by being at the bar the first night I turned up haha
Rodders...
No jinks. Just had to choose between PASS Summit and MVP Summit and chose MVP Summit because I'm pretty sure I won't be re-awarded this year, so it could be my last opportunity to attend.
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
Check out these links on how to get faster and more accurate answers:
Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help
Need an Answer? Actually, No ... You Need a Question
September 1, 2016 at 9:27 am
GilaMonster (8/31/2016)
So, I got roped into doing a professional development session for the local SQL Saturday."Becoming a successful SQL Developer"
Never done a professional development session before. Not sure how to approach it, or what people attending will be expecting. Help? Please?
Funny thing. Just about all my SQL Saturday presentations are mainly geared toward professional development, so I'm the exact opposite.
I'd say go with what you know. How'd you get to where you are now? What steps did you take? What made you successful with what you do? (And you can take "successful" to mean any number of things -- apologies on being vague. Success is in the eye of the beholder.) Also realize that what worked for you might not work for other people. Make mention of that. And don't be afraid to tell people what you think.
And speaking of being vague, let me mention something that I say in my "talking to non-techies" presentation: keep it high level. Don't get bogged down in detail; rather, talk about the highlights of how you got to where you are, and save the details for when people ask questions.
Hope that helps!
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Check out my blog at https://pianorayk.wordpress.com/
September 1, 2016 at 9:31 am
Jack Corbett (9/1/2016)
rodjkidd (8/30/2016)
Jack Corbett (8/26/2016)
WayneS (8/26/2016)
I know where 5 Threadizens are going to be on Oct 24th, 2016. How many are going to join us?If I were attending PASS Summit this year I might go, but I'm missing the PASS Summit this year.
Well that's a pity - if only for the fact I won't being playing the annual game of 'Looking for Jack?' 😉
See I knew you jinked it last year by being at the bar the first night I turned up haha
Rodders...
No jinks. Just had to choose between PASS Summit and MVP Summit and chose MVP Summit because I'm pretty sure I won't be re-awarded this year, so it could be my last opportunity to attend.
Ah I see...
Really - you don't think you will get renewed? Surprised by that
Well I'll just have to have an extra Old Janx Spirit in your honour! Or a 7&7 🙂
Rodders...
September 1, 2016 at 9:32 am
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
I would suggest including something about soft skills/communications, working with BA's on requirements, and unit testing.
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
Check out these links on how to get faster and more accurate answers:
Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help
Need an Answer? Actually, No ... You Need a Question
September 1, 2016 at 9:32 am
And I just want to add my
All Hail Jeff!
Rodders...
September 1, 2016 at 9:59 am
Jack Corbett (9/1/2016)
GilaMonster (9/1/2016)
I uploaded the slide-deck in progress. Comments?http://www.sqlsaturday.com/554/Sessions/Details.aspx?sid=53948
I don't know who else (if anyone) is on the panel. Guess it'll be a surprise on the day.
I would suggest including something about soft skills/communications, working with BA's on requirements, and unit testing.
+10000!!! This!!! Many times over!!!
There is a reason why I've been pushing the presentations that I do! Communication skills are (IMHO) vastly understated and underrepresented. My talking to non-techies presentation is my greatest hit, and I have yet to present my tech writing one at a SQL Saturday (I've only given it at our SQL user group meeting so far -- which is a shame, because I think it's a good one -- not to mention an important one). I strongly believe that they are important skills to push, not just for professional skills, but also because they are important (yet disrespected) organizational tasks as well.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Check out my blog at https://pianorayk.wordpress.com/
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