Career advice for a junior data analyst/developer
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Hello everybody,
First off I'd like to thank SQLServerCentral.com for a top notch member-based site and thoroughly interesting daily email postings. When I have a question on T-SQL or SQL Server in general I'll know exactly where to ask. Luckily, the SR Data Analyst/DBA of my current employer has a large breadth of knowledge when it comes to SQL of all vendors alike.
I've worked at my current position for about 8 months officially and about 16 if you count my unofficial contributions (developed some web applications for them while attending my honour year at university, a joint school project/business application that's in use today), would it be appropriate to include this unofficial 8 month spanning work period as work experience for this employer?
My background is a 3 year computer enginering diploma (C.E.T.) and soon a 4 year computer science degree (B.Sc H.). I am interested in both software engineering and databases alike, but I know it's not wise to hold both hats in anything but a small organization, so I am thinking about focusing in database administration.
My question is should I seek further certification like MCDBA or any other certs? As soon as my summer contract ends I'll likely be looking for new work. Also, what sort of data analyst/database related positions would I be qualified for without any certs. Again, my relevent SQL work experience is SQL Server Development, Advanced Query Design and Performance Tuning, DB Design and Implementation, Automated Report Generation, etc.
Comments of any kind would be appreciated.
Cheers,
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SSC at my first response…
I’m guessing from your post that you’re not US-based so all this information may differ.
Yes, include all your experience, just not the difference.
Certification is generally seen as an enhancement. Most recruiters / hiring managers / etc. I’ve talked to have said that what it will do is give you a minor competitive advantage over someone with a similar skill set.
What you are describing in terms if your skills, experience, etc. sounds to me more like you want to be a database developer rather than a database administrator. Generally, DBA’s are responsible for maintaining and setting up a server / database. They handle operations, maintenance, backups, etc. Database developers are the ones that design the table structures, write the SQL code, etc.
Of course, this comes with huge caveats. In many shops (especially the smaller ones) the roles tend to blend into each other.
Microsoft has a certification track for database developers. Here’s the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbdev/default.mspx
(this is for 2005)
Good luck and I agree. SSC has taught me much of what I know about SQL Server.
Pam
(Senior Database Developer)
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It sounds like your background is focused on development. I would recommend looking into database development jobs or programmer/analyst positions. I would also suggest you focus on getting some certifications. I have found studying for the certifications to be more valuable than the certifications themselves. You might want to look into the MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer and the MCITP: Database Developer from Microsoft. Certifications show that you have the dedication to learn on your own. Being a developer myself I would also suggest you broaden your background, having a broad range of skills is critical in today’s economy (i.e. don’t just focus on programming learn networking and server configuration) I have found certifications to be a great tool to help you broaden you background. I would recommend getting as much experience as you can (with virtualization software like VMWARE or Virtual Server from Microsoft you can run Windows Server 2003, Linux & Solaris all on one laptop) I would recommend keeping current on technology by reading the blogs or better yet start your own blog.
Good Luck
Marc Truitt (MCDBA, MCSD)
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Thanks a lot for all the advice. I will definitely seek the MCITP cert, though I'm still considering the MCDBA just to keep my options open for the employer who's not really sure what they want when it comes to filling database positions. My immediate supervisor tells me if you have experience with the microsoft tech before reading up on it, I won't have much trouble achieving the cert with a little studying.
I will also actively seek certs in .NET application development (of any sort), as I have a background in this area too. Anybody have recommendations for this?
Thanks again Pam and Marc,
Sean
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Sean,
You may include your previous experience on the separate line as "consulting" for for your current employer, which well describes your contributions. I would certainly get a certification, it really does not matter which one in particular. You will be Microsoft Certified Professional with any. Then you will replace the word Junior in your resume with the word Professional.
Regards,Yelena Varsha
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Sean,
It seems you work for PC Financial. Since I am a loyal customer of PC Financial, I'd like to thank you for your contribution to PC Financial services provided to customers like me, thus I'd be more than glad to give my two cents here.
To answer your question directly, I'd say "Yes, go for MCDBA". Whether you get MCDBA or not is not important, the process to pursue the title is more important and will be beneficial to you in terms of helping you to do a complete review / refresh of every aspect of SQL DBA knowledge base. You may fail the final exam, but you surely gain through the whole process.
Regards,
JY
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