April 3, 2017 at 3:33 pm
To Add Value...
April 4, 2017 at 3:28 am
To add what kind of value to what?
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
April 4, 2017 at 7:08 am
GilaMonster - Tuesday, April 4, 2017 3:28 AMTo add what kind of value to what?
I believe smatu wishes to mix purple cool-aid with the green-cool aid and see if he can come-up with a better looking and tasting cool-aid.
April 4, 2017 at 11:48 am
GilaMonster - Monday, April 3, 2017 3:46 AMsmatu - Wednesday, March 29, 2017 3:34 PMI want to become a certified DBA,Why? What's your goal?
smatu - Monday, April 3, 2017 3:33 PMTo Add Value...
I am perplexed. What is the perceived value? IMHO, the value is in that you can do the work related to the certification criteria. Unless it is the MCM, the lower certs don't prove that you can do anything related to the certification criteria.
The real value is in being able to perform the required tasks to perform your job duties to the highest level.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
April 4, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I know I got my MTA in Database Fundamentals and the test was quite easy after working with SQL for a few years. Spent a lot more time proving my house was guest free and I had no cheating devices near me. That and leaving comments about the questions as being unclear.
Up here in Canada (well specifically when I look for jobs near where I live), they like you to have a Computer Science degree from an accredited university. I snuck in because I was already employeed in a different position and then proved I knew what I was doing and what I was talking about. Now I'm the DBA with only my MTA to stand behind, but am looking at getting more certificates.
When we were hiring for a BI person, if the candidates didn't have a university degree or some certification, we just filed the application without calling them back. Experience is nice, but my company is more interested in paperwork behind your name. I just got lucky that the boss at the time (since changed) was willing to take a shot with me.
Plus, with me having no certifications at the time, I was a lot cheaper to hire and didn't have much footing to argue for a wage. The MTA didn't help my wage at all, but I have been informed that come raise time, my efforts should be rewarded. Which is why I know I am working towards MCSA in 2012/2014 as the 2016 tests are not finalized and I don't have a beta invite.
The above is all just my opinion on what you should do.
As with all advice you find on a random internet forum - you shouldn't blindly follow it. Always test on a test server to see if there is negative side effects before making changes to live!
I recommend you NEVER run "random code" you found online on any system you care about UNLESS you understand and can verify the code OR you don't care if the code trashes your system.
April 4, 2017 at 1:37 pm
I went through the effort to get the MCSA for SQL 2012/2014. That let me take a single test to get the MCSA for 2016 So I've got TWO MCSAs. yay!
With that,I now have my choice of five tests to get one or more MCSE's.
My feelings are a little mixed; Jason doesn't see a value-added, but I did go through a level of effort many people don't, in order to get certified. Does that make me better? meh, maybe, maybe not.
Did the tests really test my DBA skills? no way. they asked a lot of esoteric end edge questions, like xml results or group by with grouping sets, assuming if you know the edge questions, you know the core. Not one real life or "experience" question that i can remember offhand.
Anyone who is continuously learning is better than anyone resting on their laurels, in my opinion.
I'll keep going, and get one or two MCSE's, because it's a little eaiser with the new structure of the exams. It probably looks good to some people on a resume, but for me it's an acknowledgment of effort applied to better myself, and not the cert itself.
I think anyone who is presenting their knowledge, whether at a local user group, SQLSaturday or at PASS , have a higher value, myself.
Lowell
April 4, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Lowell - Tuesday, April 4, 2017 1:37 PMI think anyone who is presenting their knowledge, whether at a local user group, SQLSaturday or at PASS , have a higher value, myself.
+100. Learn to teach what you have learned and the value is many times more what you will get from the exam.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
April 4, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Lowell - Tuesday, April 4, 2017 1:37 PMbut I did go through a level of effort many people don't, in order to get certified.
The effort is what's valuable, and the things you learn while studying for the certification. The cert itself, no so much.
They're nice for meeting paperwork requirements for tender projects (especially government ones) and for Microsoft Partner status, but they don't prove you know what you're doing. Hell, I've got two Sharepoint certs and I've never even installed the project
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
April 5, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Jeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
April 5, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Eric M Russell - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 12:25 PMJeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
True that. I hate it when somebody has a broken watch. Whose fault is it for that? You got it - the DBA is wholly responsible for Bean Counter Joe forgetting to wind his time piece.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
April 5, 2017 at 3:08 pm
SQLRNNR - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:59 PMEric M Russell - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 12:25 PMJeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
True that. I hate it when somebody has a broken watch. Whose fault is it for that? You got it - the DBA is wholly responsible for Bean Counter Joe forgetting to wind his time piece.
I thought that any and all problems fall on the DBA. DBA does mean "Default Blame Acceptor" does it not?
The above is all just my opinion on what you should do.
As with all advice you find on a random internet forum - you shouldn't blindly follow it. Always test on a test server to see if there is negative side effects before making changes to live!
I recommend you NEVER run "random code" you found online on any system you care about UNLESS you understand and can verify the code OR you don't care if the code trashes your system.
April 5, 2017 at 3:12 pm
bmg002 - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 3:08 PMSQLRNNR - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:59 PMEric M Russell - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 12:25 PMJeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
True that. I hate it when somebody has a broken watch. Whose fault is it for that? You got it - the DBA is wholly responsible for Bean Counter Joe forgetting to wind his time piece.
I thought that any and all problems fall on the DBA. DBA does mean "Default Blame Acceptor" does it not?
Precisely
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
April 5, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Thank you all for all of your responses.
April 6, 2017 at 6:47 am
bmg002 - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 3:08 PMSQLRNNR - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:59 PMEric M Russell - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 12:25 PMJeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
True that. I hate it when somebody has a broken watch. Whose fault is it for that? You got it - the DBA is wholly responsible for Bean Counter Joe forgetting to wind his time piece.
I thought that any and all problems fall on the DBA. DBA does mean "Default Blame Acceptor" does it not?
Fortunately, in the better IT organizations folks who play the blame game are perceived as the weakest link and don't stick around very long. Blame shifting is not a skill that management is willing to pay for.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
April 6, 2017 at 8:33 am
Eric M Russell - Thursday, April 6, 2017 6:47 AMbmg002 - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 3:08 PMSQLRNNR - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:59 PMEric M Russell - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 12:25 PMJeff Moden - Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:15 AMSee the following.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/sql-certification.aspxIn the process of becoming a DBA, make sure you know how to write code to get the current date an time. T-SQL is a core skill that many DBAs just don't have.
Yep, the DBA is typically the go-to guy for the current date and time. :rolleyes:
True that. I hate it when somebody has a broken watch. Whose fault is it for that? You got it - the DBA is wholly responsible for Bean Counter Joe forgetting to wind his time piece.
I thought that any and all problems fall on the DBA. DBA does mean "Default Blame Acceptor" does it not?
Fortunately, in the better IT organizations folks who play the blame game are perceived as the weakest link and don't stick around very long. Blame shifting is not a skill that management is willing to pay for.
Yes. That or they get put in their place. Up until recently, we had a lot of "witch hunts" at my workplace where we set up audit tables with the intention of being able to track what happened and who did it so we could train them better. End user (supervisor-y level people) liked using that as a method to go yell at whoever screwed up. We've since stopped collecting the "who" as witch hunts don't help anybody.
But back to "it's the DBA's fault", one of the software development groups roughly a year ago sent me an email of "what did you do to the database? this thing worked fine yesterday and today it is broken and production is down! We need you to fix this". Spent 3/4 of a day investigating the database, telling them we didn't do anything only to find out they released an update to their code that was buggy. Now every time they tell us "your database is broken!!!" we immediately reply back with "when was the last time it was working and when was the latest software update on your end?". 95% of the time, it has been broken since they did the update. The other 5% of the time it has been user error (scanning wrong serial number for example). 0% of the time it was that the database was bad. Well, ok... one time the database was bad but that was because the disk got corrupted. But that is 1 time in the 9 years (nearly 10) I've been here.
But back on topic - Even if you don't go all the way through and get certified, there are a lot of things you can do to help your career (either with the current company or outside of it). Getting training is very beneficial to both you and your company. It can be paid (like icollege.com or ucertify.com or a real university course or whatever you can find) or free (SQL Saturday, your local SQL chapter) or a conference (PASS Summit, SQL Cruise, Companero Conference, etc). Even posting on this forum. I spent a good 2 years reading on the forum before I started posting replies. Sometimes I am helpful, sometimes I am completely wrong and learn something. I try to spend at LEAST 1 hour a day learning something or helping someone.
The above is all just my opinion on what you should do.
As with all advice you find on a random internet forum - you shouldn't blindly follow it. Always test on a test server to see if there is negative side effects before making changes to live!
I recommend you NEVER run "random code" you found online on any system you care about UNLESS you understand and can verify the code OR you don't care if the code trashes your system.
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