Certification advice help

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Certification advice help

hellohi 19282

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Points: 32
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April 25, 2019 at 6:28 pm

#3536684

I am changing my career to SQL server administration (certification) ? Should I proceed , will this field survive due to automation and cloud ?
Thanks

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Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398890 More actions · Answer 1

There's going to be work for data professionals for a VERY long time to come. That work will shift and change, as it already has. So yeah, it's a fine field to get into.

Now, certifications... I'm not a fan. People use them to substitute for a proven track record and experience. They don't. However, if you don't have a track record or experience, in some cases, for some organizations, certifications can help to get you in the door. I'd say you'd be better off with your time networking at local SQLSaturday events, or local user groups or meetups. You'll learn and you'll meet people. That's a better way to make connections and get jobs than certifications.

"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

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736270 More actions · Answer 2

I agree with Grant, though I'll say that pursuing the certification gives you a chance to learn, and you can document that. You can make notes, blog, write test queries and build systems while learning. The documentation, not the cert, will help you later. Don't just aim to pass the test, learn about the topics.

That will also help you with networking.

oogibah SSC Eights! Points: 827 More actions · Answer 3

I am rather new to SQL myself, but I feel differently. If you're just starting out, don't already have a job that allows you to work with SQL I feel like you would HAVE to go the certification route. I would imagine it would be very difficult to land a job especially as a DBA without any experience or any certifications.

pietlinden SSC Guru Points: 63503 More actions · Answer 4

the one upside to certification is that it may cover things you might otherwise miss. On the other hand, be aware that they don't cover everything. (Damned if you, damned if you don't.) I thought they were pretty worthless.