Oracle Or Microsoft Access, Which Is Better For Me?

Are you matching your strengths to your opportunities or are you just being ideological … interested only in following your own ideas even when they won’t get you any results?

Here is a situation that illustrates the challenges of being ideological versus being results oriented. It is a situation that illustrates the challenges of learning an enterprise software like Oracle compared to a poor man’s database like Microsoft Access.

Are you wondering about who this situation involves? You are safe my friend because today, I will mainly be talking about me

When I started out in the industry, my first priority was to get my foot into the door.

My goals were:

1. To transition my career without incurring a lot of additional debt
2. To learn a marketable skill so that I could get a job quickly
3. To get myself into a position where I would be in high-demand by delivering excellent results

There were a number of career paths that looked promising and I looked into them all. Here a few of them:

Business Analysis

The business analyst career path was mostly available to systems analysts or management consultants people or poorly defined.

By poorly defined, i mean that it depended on the whims of hiring managers (it was subjective and depended on the employers needs or definitions) and so, there was no very clear or direct path to becoming a business analyst (this was in the ‘90s).

Network Administration

I had worked in network administration in an internship job right after college. My duties entailed helping support a Lotus CC:Mail/ Novell Netware Network

Based on my own first-hand experience, I ruled out computer networking primarily because I realized that I was not passionate about that industry.

Systems Programming

While in college, I had tried to learn C/C++ and I also decided that it wasn’t my thing because it took a long time to develop a fully functional software using C/C++

Based on experience, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to master C/C+ in a few months or get a job easily.

My finding was that it would take a number of years to become really expert or highly skilled at C/C++.

I was also certain, that even when I became highly skilled, I still won’t be able to deliver stellar results based on C/C++.

In case you’re interested, read my thoughts on choosing C/C++ as a programming language here…

Enterprise Database Software

I investigated getting an entry level job in SAP / Oracle / IBM or some other enterprise software since that is where it seemed that the big bucks where being made. In the 90’s, the major database players included IBM, Oracle, Microsoft.

Oracle was very popular in the enterprise database computing circle. However, learning Oracle was no small feat.

I mean that installing Oracle on your own local computer for learning purposes was not an easy proposition even for experienced oracle professionals because companies hired senior / experienced Oracle consultants just to install and setup Oracle correctly on their servers.

In addition to that, Oracle was targeted at the enterprise buyer which meant that purchasing a full-featured Oracle license for an individual like me without corporate sponsorship … was simply beyond my budget!

In addition, even if I raised the money to buy an Oracle License, I would have to spend additional weeks installing Oracle correctly by myself or else hire an Oracle database consultant to install it (Oracle database consultants billed anywhere from $60/hr. to $120/hr.)

And assuming that I overcame the hurdle of buying an Oracle license and then installing Oracle, I would still have to figure out one more thing about Oracle … how to learn Oracle!

You see, Oracle was one of those complex enterprise software application that had a really high learning curve.

The chances that I was going to learn or master Oracle in time enough to get a job was very low because professionals who had been working with Oracle for years where still struggling to understand it … it was that complex!

So, tell me, what will you have done if you were in my shoes?

Did I fixate on learning Oracle … even though I knew professionals that worked with Oracle for years were still struggling to get to a comfort level with it?

Absolutely not! One of the Oracle professionals that I was personally acquainted with had started working with or learning Oracle while we were still in college.

By the time I was evaluating learning Oracle, this professional (a lady based in the United Kingdom) was just getting comfortable with Oracle … and that is after working with it for 8 to 10 years!

So, I decided that the Oracle database and many of the other popular enterprise software applications available at that time had too high a learning curve!

Yes, I know that everyone’s situation is different and yes I understand that “what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander“.

But my situation was that I was married and I had to pay my bills.

Even though my wife was willing to support me, I wasn’t okay with asking her to take care of all the bills while I went on a multi-year learning trip.

Not only that,I had been out of college for a few years and didn’t want to risk taking another 8 to 10 years to learn a new career!

And I definitely didn’t want to start a career that would require such an expensive re-training that I would have to go deeply in debt!

Put yourself in my shoes and tell me what you would have done if faced with my situation keeping in my objectives which were:

• To learn a marketable skill in a short time: I had to learn a marketable skill so that I could easily get a job and get out of unemployment.

• To be prudent or save money: I had to pay my bills and account for all sorts of living expenses, while paying for my own re-training.

• To get into a line of work where I could easily become competent: I needed to learn a skill that I would become an expert at in a reasonable short time.

What will you have done in my shoes … because I choose Microsoft Access!

In those days, a lot of professionals looked down on Microsoft Access as a sort of poor man’s relational database even though Microsoft Access had a lot going for it at that point in time.

Low Cost of Learning

Microsoft Access was available as part of the Microsoft Office family of products.

The cost of a Microsoft Office / Access license was as low as $300. And I budgeted an additional $100 for buying Microsoft Access textbooks from the local seller … Barnes & Noble. I would never forget the price that I paid for my very first Microsoft Access Book … just $49.50.

So, for less than $500, I was guaranteed that I would learn or master Microsoft Access … which was great news for me as an unemployed newbie IT professional!

Low Learning Curve

It took me between 30 and 60 days to study or master Microsoft Access from textbooks. After which I spent my remaining time, taking Microsoft Access practice tests and building relational databases.

In my first job interview test administered by a local staffing agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I scored above 90% and got hired into the systems / data analysis department of a local e-commerce firm with a starting salary of $15/hr.

Accelerated Time To Market

By my third month of working with Microsoft Access, I had completed a project that was estimated to last about 6 weeks in 2 weeks.

Because I could achieve those sorts of results, the IT Manager called a recruiting firm without my knowledge or permission and advised them to find more challenging work for me … which they did!

By my third month, I was billing $76,000/yr. and my billing rate continued to increase with time!

Dear Friend,

What I have learnt is that the only thing that stops us from achieving the results we want is our limiting belief systems or self-imposed mental boundaries.

So, what works and what doesn’t?

1. Don’t hang your career on getting a recognized certificate or diploma

   That is so old school! The only thing that matters is your ability to perform on the job … and no accredited degree or diploma or program can confer that to you.

   In other words, you either learn or know how to get the job done or you don’t.

2. Don’t get stuck learning any vendor’s software

   Because I got my foot in through the door, I have since had the chance to learn or work with Oracle and IBM enterprise databases at the employer’s expense!

   Learning Microsoft Access first actually made it easier for me to learn or work with SQL Server, Oracle and IBM databases later on.

   Remember that you are the one that makes the job work and not the software, vendor or qualification.

   I have seen professionals who want to become business analysts get stuck on learning an enterprise requirement management software like IBM Rational RequisitePro.

   These good folks forget that many employers can’t afford the licensing costs of the same software that they are hung up on and they also forget that requirements management is first and foremost a set of principles or techniques and not a software!.

   If you learn requirements management techniques you can for example document requirements using Microsoft Office or your employer can purchase any of the myriads of requirements management software in the market.

   So why are you so hung up on learning IBM Rational RequisitePro as if that makes you a business analyst?

3. Learn a marketable skill

   One of the biggest challenges facing professionals is the right choice of a career. I know that because I get asked that question every day

   I’ve seen professionals get stuck with programming skills that are not marketable like mainframe programming or C/C++.

   In one instance, a C/C++ programmer with a computer science college degree after being unemployable for 3 years got the very first job he interviewed for … after I coached him on C#, ASP.NET and .NET Framework.

   His mistake that of failing to learn a marketable skill. The good news is that it only cost him a few months to rectify that mistake. And, once he fixed that, his career was back online again!

Here is my last advise to you on this point, make sure that you are pragmatic and not ideological about your career choices.

If it is looking like you are getting stuck on the path you are on, carefully evaluate all the other alternatives available to you.

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database careers in demand

The 7 Top, In-Demand Database Careers

Database skills are foundational to jobs in the IT Industry.

By that, I mean whether you’re a business analyst, software tester, project manager, software developer or even a web designer, you’ll be using relational database and sql query writing skills at some time in your career.

Database or SQL skills are also important because they position you for multiple careers paths ranging from that of the database developer to the data mining professional.

Career Paths for Database Professionals

Here is a comprehensive list of database career paths and their respective roles, duties, responsibilities and skill sets.

1. Relational Database Developer Career

   This is one of the foundational database careers in the sense that you can hardly qualify for other database career path without a strong relational database design & development foundation.

   Database developers are responsible for designing, architecting or developing relational databases using a database development tool like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, MySQL or Oracle.

2. SQL Developer / Query Writer Career

   This is the another foundational database career in the sense that you will need strong SQL query writing skills regardless of your role, job or designation in the IT Industry.

   SQL Developers or Query Writers are typically responsible for updating, deleting, creating or manipulating the data contained in relational databases using a database programming or query language known as SQL.

   There are several dialects of SQL marketed by database vendors and each dialect is executed in the database using an administrative front-end tool like SQL Server’s T-SQL Management Studio.

3. Database Administrator (DBA) Careers

   DBAs are responsible for keeping the database up and running for the company’s operations.

   DBAs are also responsible for installing, configuring and maintaining the entire database infrastructure or platform in their organizations.

   In addition, DBAs secure their databases from unauthorized access, manage the storage available on databases and optimize their performance.

   DBAs are found in organizations that store and maintain their own data in-house using relational database management systems like SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL.

4. The Report Writer Career

   Report Writer Career paths are equally important in the database industry.

   Report Writers need to have strong relational database and SQL query writing or development skills.

   The Report Writer’s responsibility includes designing, developing, scheduling and distributing database reports.

   Report Writers utilize tools like Crystal Report Writer, Business Objects, Microsoft Access or SQL Server Reporting Services for their work.

   Report Writers also tend to spend a good amount of time collecting requirements or presenting their reports to stakeholders, executives, management, business analysts or software developers.

5. Data Analyst Career

   The Data Analyst career is frequently confused for a purely statistical career path.

   Data Analysis roles actually utilize SQL query writing, relational database development and statistical data analysis skills.

   In the IT industry, the information accessed and analyzed by data analysts resides in relational databases. So, data analysts have to also master the relational database and sql query writing path of their careers as well … and not just the statistical skills.

   A lot of people struggle with the distinctions between purely statistical careers and the database analyst careers … don’t be one of those!

6. The Data Warehousing / Business Intelligence (BI) Career

   BI and Data Warehousing careers require skillsets that are almost opposite to that of the relational database developer.

   While traditional database developers focus on their normalization skills, data warehouse / BI professionals do the exact opposit by developing enterprise, de-normalized databases.

   Another key difference is that while traditional database developers typically create Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) databases, data warehousing / BI professionals focus on building Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) databases.

   The BI / Data Warehousing professional’s responsibilities also include creating and delivering multi-dimensional reporting tools using Business Intelligence tools like Oracle’s Business Intelligence (BI) or Microsoft’s SQL Server Buisness Intelligence platform.

   From a responsibility standpoint, the data warehousing / BI professional is responsible for aggregating the data from multiple corporate databases (developed by database developers) into enterprise, corporate databases.

7. The Data Mining Career

   Data Mining careers require a rigorous background, education or training in specialized computer-based data mining algorithms or techniques.

   Data Mining professionals run algorithms like Neural Networks, Classification, Regression, Segmenattion, Association or Sequence Analysis algorithms on large databases.

   Traditionally, data mining professionals had to have a strong background in mathematics, statistics and computer science because they often had to create data mining algorithms from scratch!

   But these days, vendors like Microsoft are placing analytics and even data mining within the hands of every motivated database professional through out-of-the-box data mining algorithms like those of SQL Server’s Data Mining Suite.

The foundational skills required for database careers are taught in the SQL Boot Camp and the additional statistical data analysis requirements for data analysts taught in the Data Analysts Boot Camp.

If you are interested in gaining one of the most verstaile IT career skills, you should register for either the SQL Boot Camp or the Data Analysts Boot Camp (which includes all the courses in the SQL Boot Camp and additional statistical, data analysis training.)

The only thing left … is to take your SQL / Data Analysts training knowing that relational database development, SQL query writing and statistical data analysis skills will help advance your future for a long time!

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Learn the Right Way!

Database careers are a mystery to those on the outside! This is partly because the work done by database professionals is not as visible as that done by professionals like business analysts or project managers.

So, in this series, I will discuss database or SQL careers by answering questions such as:

• What do database / SQL jobs involve?

• What is the database / SQL industry like?

• What are the career options for database or SQL professionals?

• What challenges do database or SQL professionals face?

• Why would anyone recommend database or SQL careers?

I would start by recommending that you master working with relational database and SQL

Why Do I Recommend Learning SQL / RDBMS?

1. Shorter Learning Curve – SQL and Relational Database careers in Microsoft Access, MySQL and SQL Server have a shorter learning curve compared to business analyst or computer programming careers!

   So, if you are just entering the workforce and you don’t have strong software development or business analysis or project management skills, I recommend that you start learning SQL.

   Click here for more information on how to learn SQL or Relational Databases.

2. More Portable Skill – SQL or Database professionals are employed in most industries because databases are essential to business operations.

   SQL professionals are usually not restricted to a specific industry or domain. SQL skills can also be ported from one platform like MySQL to another like SQL Server in a reasonable amount of time.

   One good thing about mastering SQL or Relational Database is that your knowledge stays relevant over long periods of time.

   That’s why participants in the SQL Boot Camp build strong relational database skills as a foundation for their long-term SQL or database careers.

   Click here for more information on the career portability.

3. Constantly In Demand – My consulting career accelerated when I mastered a relational database product known as Microsoft Access in the nineties!

   Microsoft Access made database design and development so easy that everyone including office users, business analysts, data analysts, project managers and business users all started creating databases.

   The databases created by these power users worked for a while until they started failing because of poor relational database design.

   That is when I usually got called … to clean up the mess made by everyone else!

   Now the database industry has changed. Microsoft Access is no longer the de-facto office database because corporations now store data in enterprise databases like SQL Server.

   So, you need a strong understanding of relational database design and development for enterprise database jobs.

   So, click here to start learning proper relational database design and development principles.

4. Lighter Technical Skill – SQL or Relational Database skills are sometimes required for business analyst job openings

   SQL / RDBMS skills are also considered required skills for software development, data analyst, report writing and business intelligence jobs!

   SQL / RDBMS are either a “nice to have” or required skill because tech workers are expected to manipulate or interact with databases without asking for assistance!

Note that, lack of good SQL or Relational Database skills can create problems for your career because it’s a frequently used technical skill! So, click here to get started … why waste more time?

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Learn SQL Online - The Easy Way!

SQL, also known as the Structured Query Language is used to query, retrieve and extract data from relational databases or define and create relational database structures including tables, views etc.

SQL skills are in-demand partly because of it’s portability. A skilled SQL professional can work on a wide variety of relational database platforms including Microsoft SQL Server, IBM’s DB2, Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft Access, Dbase, Foxpro.

What is the Demand for SQL Skills?

SQL skills are useful in a number of careers including database developers, report writers, business analysts, computer programmers, web developers, testers, data analysts, etc.

Is Learning SQL Hard?

SQL has a shorter learning curve when compared to other skills like business analysis or computer programming or testing. Part of the reason is that SQL is a well-defined, standardized language that has been around for a number of years.

What are the Career Options for SQL Professionals?

There are several career paths available to skilled SQL professionals. Some of the popular SQL career options or specializations including the:

1. Data Warehousing Career

2. Data Analyst Career

3. Database Developer Career

4. SQL Developer Career

5. Business Intelligence Career

6. Web Data Analyst Career

7. Database Administrator (DBA) Career

8. Database Mining Career

9. SQL Report Writer Career

Is Learning SQL Hard?

SQL has a shorter learning curve when compared to other skills like business analysis or computer programming or testing. Part of the reason is that SQL is a well-defined, standardized language that has been around for a number of years.

What is the Future Like for SQL Professionals?

Because an increasing number of companies are storing, or analyzing more of their corporate data, the demand for SQL or database skills will continue to increase.

What Are The Benefits of Learning SQL?

There are several reasons why learning SQL will help your career or your job. Some of these are:

1. Reliability: You can get the answers you need from the database yourself without relying on others query writing or data interpretation abilities.

2. Productivity: You can get more work done by yourself by saving your employer the costs of hiring additional resources.

3. Portable Skills: You gain skills that are portable or useful for a wide number of employment situations, job postings and business problems.

Registration for SQL Classes Begins Now

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Ask IT Career Coach

If you are interested in learning more about SQL Skills or becoming a Database Professional, send inyour questions now and I will answer them for you … right away!

Your questions may be about how to get a database developer job or how to improve your SQL query writing skills or how to become a database developer.

Perhaps your question is about how to get back into the database career track after a period of unemployment or about how to learn the relevant database skills for your job or employer. Whatever they are, go ahead and send in your questions and I will answer them for you.

Send in the issues, questions or challenges facing you and I would take care of the issues holding you back.

I may answer by writing a new article that addresses your concern or by posting a comprehensive answer to your question or …

If the challenge facing you is a pressing personal situation … I will answer it without posting your contact information or any publicly identifiable information.

Send a Question on:

• How to Transition into a Database Career or SQL Programming Career

• How to Gain Hands-On Database Experience

• How to Secure your Database Career By Performing On The Job

• How to Improve SQL Skills or Get Cutting Edge SQL Query Writing Experience or Get an In-Depth Knowledge of Relational Databases

• How to Become a Freelance Database Consultant

• How to Transition your skills between different Database Platforms

• How to Learn SQL Easily

• How to Choose between Different SQL Career Options

• How to Analyze or Present the Information contained in Databases

I will take care of the concerns or challenges facing you, so go right away and post your questions below:

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Learn Sql Online - The Easy Way!

SQL Boot Camp is the hands-on, beginner to advanced level guide to learning SQL online.

You are shown, instructed or coached on how to write best-practice SQL code in an instructor-led, convenient and interactive web-based SQL course.

You gain mastery of SQL query writing, database design or database development by practicing as you learn from sql instructors using multiple videos, quizzes and hands-on database projects.

Why Learn SQL Online?

Databases are everywhere and virtually every firm or organization has multiple databases.

Because companies everywhere use data, access data or store data in databases, the relevance, future and demand for SQL skills is guaranteed!

You need to learn SQL so you can access the facts stored away in databases by yourself … without relying on someone else to access the data for you

You also need to learn SQL so you can build databases used in transactional or analytical software or web-based applications.

What Do You Want To Know About Learning SQL Online at SQL Boot Camp?

1. You can register for SQL Training from any home or office location.

   • You can take your training from home or the office because your SQL Training will be available online through videos, a web-based learning management system (LMS) and SQL trainers who will help you gain critical, hands-on SQL, Database Design and Database Development project experience.

2. You gain improved database skills Or hands-on SQL expertise.

   • After you enroll in SQL training, the web based training software creates a new training schedule for you and then sends you a personalized e-mail with links to your SQL videos or Database lessons, assignments or quizzes.

   • You are assigned a number of days for each SQL trainng video, SQL quiz, SQL assignment or hands-on database design or development project.

     You may however complete your work earlier or later than scheduled based on your own schedule.

   • You can submit your SQL projects back to a live SQL course instructor using a feature of the SQL training program.

   • Your SQL course instructors review and grade each of your database projects or provide personalized help, assistance or corrective feedback.

   • Your SQL skills are sharpened through multiple quizzes and your grades are automatically dsiplayed in a secure, private online report card.

   • Your understanding or progress at learning SQL is constantly monitored or evaluated and you are given various opportunities to practice as you learn!

3. You Retain Access to SQL Training Videos After the Course Is Completed!

   • You retain FULL and PERMANENT access to ALL SQL training videos after training is completed.

   • The SQL training videos will remain accessible through the “Resources” Menu on the training portal.

4. Online SQL Training Is Flexible, Convenient, Affordable

   • Yes, you are given ample time to complete each SQL training module including the SQL training videos or SQL practice tests or hands on SQL projects.

   • Yes, you can login for SQL training at any time.

   • Yes, you may pause your SQL training any time because of work or life commitments.

   • Yes, you may pause your SQL training without any penalty.

   • Yes, you do not have to begin or complete your SQL training at the same time as everyone else.

   • Yes, you do not have to login at the same time as everyone else or at a specific time of the day or night.

   • Yes, your SQL training is a “go at your own pace“, anytime, anywhere, anypace training. Yes, you can take some of your training at work (during lunchtime) or at home (after dinner) or on the road (from your laptop)!

5. No Entrance Examination Or Pre-requisite Courses Required

   • Your SQL training will walk you step by step … from utter beginner to advanced level without any prior SQL background.

   • Your SQL course instructors do not assume anything about your background, so you are taken through the basics and then taken to the advanced-level SQL courses.

   • Your SQL training Videos are all hands-on, instructional videos … which means that you learn by simply watching the SQL course instructors.

   • The SQL training videos cover both theoretical topics and practical requirements for Database Design or Database Development or SQL Query Writing.

   • You do not need extra time to prepare for SQL training before registering because all the preparation, foundational topics or pre-requisite knowledge is in-built and included as part of your SQL training courses.

6. You Determine The Pace Of Your SQL Training

   • Yes, you can accelerate or speed-up your SQL training or customize your SQL learning to suit your own study time.

   • Yes, you can finish SQL training in more time or less time than the estimated duration.

   • You can control your SQL training pace or customize it to your personal preferences. So you don’t have to start or finish at the same time as everyone else.

7. SQL Boot Camp’s Learning Management System (LMS) Shortens Your Learning Curve

   • The scheduling, tracking, monitoring and management of all SQL Boot Camp’s training content is done through modules in-built into the SQL training program.

8. You Don’t Need To Install Additional Software Programs to Watch SQL Training Videos

   • You don’t need to install additional software programs to view the SQL training videos online.

   • SQL Boot Camp uses a web-based training system that allows you to view the SQL training videos anytime from any location.

   • All the necessary software training features are already built into your SQL training system so, you don’t need to mess around with tiresome software installations.

   • … And yes, that means you don’t need to worry about browser requirements either!

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In-Demand SQL Skills

Don’t miss out on TODAY’S opportunity to enroll in SQL BOOT CAMP at a 50% discount using the promotional code: SQLTRAIN because today is the Last Day!

Another SAVINGS PLAN available TODAY is the Job Search + Resumes + Interview Coaching at a 15% Discount.

With this plan you may add the SQL Boot Camp Training Plan to the Job Search + Resume + Interview Coaching Plan today and get an immediate savings of 15%.

Limited Time Offer … Don’t Miss Out

So, let me summarize the SQL Training Offers available to you today:

1. Get SQL Training Only: You can enroll today in SQL Boot Camp using the discount code: SQLTRAIN and save a significant 15%

2. Get SQL Training + Job Search Coaching + Resume Coaching + Interview Coaching: You can enroll today in both the SQL Boot Camp Training and the Job Search + Resume + Interview Coaching using the discount code: SQLTRAIN and also save a whooping 15%

What You Need To Know About SQL BOOT CAMP …

1. Anyone Can Enroll From AnyWhere In SQL Boot Camp:

   • You can enroll in SQL Boot Camp training from any location because the SQL Training is provided online through videos, a web-based learning management system (LMS) and SQL trainers who help you gain critical, hands-on SQL, Database Design and Database Development project experience

2. SQL Boot Camp Sharpens Your Skills And Helps You Gain Critical Hands-On Experience

   • After you enroll in SQL Boot Camp training, the web based training software creates a new training schedule for you and then sends you a personalized e-mail with links to your SQL + Database training videos, assignments or quizzes

   • SQL Boot Camp assigns you a number of days for each SQL video, SQL quiz, SQL assignment or hands on SQL Boot Camp project. You may however complete your work earlier or later than scheduled based on your own schedule

   • SQL Boot Camp allows you to complete an assignment or activity or project and then submit your work back to a live course instructor using a feature of the SQL training program

   • Your SQL Boot Camp instructors are automatically notified whenever you submit a project. Your Instructors can review or grade your work or provide personalized help, assistance or corrective feedback

   • SQL Boot Camp grades your work either automatically (Quizzes) or through SQL Course Instructors (Hands-ON Lab Work). Your SQL Boot Camp grades are automatically dsiplayed in your secure, private online report card

   • SQL Boot Camp automatically monitors your progress and sends out the next SQL training module for more learning or practice

3. You Have Total Access to SQL Boot Camp’s Videos After You Complete Training!

   • You retain FULL and PERMANENT access to ALL of SQL Boot Camp’s training videos after you complete training

   • All of SQL Boot Camp’s training videos or resources remain accessible through the “Resources” Menu on the training portal

4. SQL Boot Camp Is Flexible, Convenient, Affordable

   • Yes, you are given ample time to complete each SQL training module including the SQL training videos or SQL practice tests or hands on SQL projects

   • Yes, you can login to SQL Boot Camp any time … and take your training

   • Yes, you may pause your SQL training at any time because of work or life committments by simply clicking on the “Pause Training” button in SQL Boot Camp’s online, web-based training program

   • Yes, you may pause your SQL training for as long as you want to … or click on the “Resume Training” button to resume training whenever you want to without any penalty

   • Yes, you are not required to start or finish your SQL training at the same time as everyone else

   • Yes, you are not required login to SQL Boot Camp at the same time as everyone else or at a specific time of the day or night

   • Yes, your SQL training is a “go at your own pace“, anytime, anywhere, anypace training. Yes, you can take some of your training at work (during lunchtime) or at home (after dinner) or on the road (from your laptop)!

5. You Are Not Required To Take Any Entrance Examinations Or Complete Any Prerequisite Courses Before Enrolling

   • All of SQL Boot Camp’s training courses are designed to take you step by step … from beginner to advanced level

   • SQL Boot Camp’s Course Instructors do not assume anything about your background, so you are walked through the basics and then taken to the advanced-level topics

   • All SQL Boot Camp’s Training Videos are hands-on, instructional videos … which means that you learn by simply watching the SQL Course Instructors

   • SQL Boot Camp’s training videos cover both the theoretical knowledge and practical requirements of Database Design or Database Development or SQL Queries

   • You do not need extra time to prepare for SQL Boot Camp before enrolling because all the preparation, foundational topics or pre-requisite knowledge is in-built and included as part of each SQL Boot Camp’s training course

6. You Control The Pace Of SQL Training

   • Yes, you can accelerate or speed-up your SQL training course or complete SQL Boot Camp training in a shorter time

   • Yes, you can finish your SQL training in more time or less time than the estimated duration

   • You can control your SQL training pace because the web-based SQL Boot Camp Training Program allows you to run at a more customized or personalized pace. So you don’t have to start or finish at the same time as eveyone else

7. SQL Boot Camp’s Learning Management System (LMS) Shortens Your Learning Curve:

   • The scheduling, tracking, monitoring and management of all SQL Boot Camp’s training content is done through modules in-built into the SQL training program

8. You Don’t Need To Install Additional Software Programs to Watch SQL Boot Camp Videos

   • You don’t need to install additional software progarms to view SQL Boot Camp’s training videos online

   • SQL Boot Camp uses a web-based training system that allows you to view the SQL training videos anytime from any location

   • All the needed software training features are already built into into SQL Boot Camp’s web based training system … so, you don’t need to mess around with tiresome installations before you begin watching the Videos

   • … And yes, that means you don’t need to worry about browser requirements either!

More Information on SQL Boot Camp’s Training

1. Click Here to Read … How to Become a Database Developer

2. Click Here to Read … How to Become a Data Analyst Or Report Writer Or Database Developer

3. Click Here to Read … SQL Training Classes Or Database Courses

Don’t miss out on these limited time discounts because they are ending TODAY!

Right now, you can …

• Go to the Shopping Cart and enroll for SQL Boot Camp only with the one-time promotional discount code: SQLTRAIN

• Go to the Shopping Cart and enroll for both SQL Boot Camp and Job Search + Resume + Interview Coaching using the limited-time promotional discount code: SQLTRAIN

• Use the discount code: SQLTRAIN … SAVE 15% on the shopping cart! for either or two SQL training plans

Click here to get this special discount before it expires

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ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

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Top Paying Skills in High Demand

Database Developers are in-demand in the healthcare, telecommunications, financial, manufacturing industries or in firms where data needs to be stored, retrieved or maintained.

• Database developers work with data analysts while importing data from legacy systems into new database structures.

• Database developers work with report developers in designing and reporting on data and business trends.

• Database developers work with system architects or software developers in defining data storage, retrieval or archival systems for business software application needs.

Because many software applications and most businesses are connected to the internet, an increasing number of database developers are needed to handle the growing volume of web usage data or transactional data generated by internet or e-commerce busineses.

Because of the pivotal role of business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) electronic commerce, there is an increased demand for database developers who can build mission critical, high performing, reliable, scalable databases for retail, service, marketing, sales and other business operations

Database Developer Salary Requirements

Even in a period of economic recession the pay band for database developers goes from $73,500 to $103,000 according to Robert Half Technology. Another survey cites the average salary for a skilled database developer as $84,000 (EIGHTY FOUR THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS). Click here to see the average database developer salary in the United States.

Database Developer Skill Requirements

There are several types of databases in the market and each requires a specific set of database design and development skills. However relational database design and development skills are the sought after database design and developement skills.

Here are some of the skills needed to become a relational database developer:

1. Logical Database Design Skills

2. Physical Database Design Skills

3. SQL Data Definition Skills (DDL)

4. SQL Data Manipulation Skills (DML)

5. Entity-Relationship (ER) Modeling Skills

6. Indexing, Performance Tuning and Optimization Skills

7. Strong SQL / Data Analysis Skills

Click here to get a comprehensive list of the topics a relational database developer needs to learn or study …

How Portable are Database Development Skills

A database developer with a solid understanding of relational database design development skills and strong SQL skills can work with databases from a wide variety of vendors and database platforms.

Some of the more popular database development platforms that skilled and in-demand database developers may end up working with include:

1. Microsoft Access

2. Microsoft SQL Server

3. MySQL

4. Oracle

5. Sybase

6. IBM DB2

Note: A database developer does not need to get trained in every popular database platform in the market because relational database design and SQL has been standardized to a good degree.

Given a sound understanding or training in relational database design or development and SQL, the database developer can pick up the rest of the skills needed for each database platform while working with it.

So, given that a database developer already knows SQL Server or Transact SQL (T-SQL) and is then presented with a Microsoft Access Database Design & Development project or a MySQL Database Design & Development project, the database developer should be able to apply the same set of logical database design skills and standardized SQL skills to these database platforms while learning the nuances or flavors of Microsoft Access SQL (Access SQL) or MySQL specific SQL

Studying or Learning to Become a Database Developer

Database Developers need to learn or study the Relational Database Design process, the SQL Data Definition Language (DDL), the SQL Data Manipulation Language (DML) and the Database Development process for a specific relational database management system.

The database developer’s educational requirements are covered in the SQL Boot Camp. The SQL Boot Camp is an online, web-based educational training program for database developers who want to learn or study database development. SQL Boot Camp includes an extensive set of:

1. Hands-on SQL Training Videos + Relational Database Design Videos taught by SQL Course Instructors

2. SQL Practice Tests or SQL Job Interview Quizzes that you can use to ace database developer job interviews or improve your retention or understanding of the SQL training videos

3. Hands-On Database Design & Development Projects assigned, reviewed and graded by your SQL Course Instructors

Limited Time – Registration Discount Code

For a limited time only, we are giving away seats on SQL Boot Camp with the registration discount code: SQLTRAIN

To get this discount, enroll here for SQL Boot Camp using the registration discount code: SQLTRAIN.

Note: This is a limited-time offer, so if you are looking for a complete, end-to-end database developer professional training, click here to enroll in SQL Boot Camp using the registration discount code: SQLTRAIN

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ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

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Announcing Payment Plans

Our readers have been asking if they can get a payment plan on the Software Developer Boot Camp or the Business Analyst Boot Camp. I am happy to announce that the answer is yes.
In addition the new payment plans include a 50% discount if you sign up right away. This offer expires Midnight, February 2, 2009. So hurry to take advantage of the limited time discount. Click here for more information

Launching The Relational Database (RDBMS) Boot Camp

We are launching the Relational Database (RDBMS) Boot Camp training. This is an online, web based, video based, instructor led, hands on relational database design & development training course. The RDBMS Boot Camp is for professionals who want to learn or master relational database design & development only and are not interested in learning SQL query writing. We are also offering a 50% discount on the Relational Database (RDBMS) course which expires Midnight, February 2, 2009. So, hurry now to take advantage of this offer to jumpstart your relational database (RDBMS) training. Click here for more information

Launching The Job Search, Resume and Interview Coaching Program

We are introducing the Job Search, Resume and Interview Coaching program for professionals who want to put the best effort towards finding a new job or getting hired quickly.
Click here to read more about the new job search, resume & interview coaching program

For a limited time only, you may access all our training services at a discount or on a payment plan. The discount offered in this announcement expires Midnight, February 2, 2009.
So, click here now to take advantage of the limited time offer or discount

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

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What is the fastest way to learn a technical, business skill or life skill?

Is any of these the fastest way to learn a skill?

1. Articles, tutorials or books?

2. Video or CD based courses?

3. Audio or MP3 based courses?

My Career Makeover Secret

If you have been following my blog, you probably know by now that I was educated as a chemical engineer.

However, I changed my career to information technology after I graduated and started work.

Why I Choose An Information Technology Career

I found my chemical engineering courses abstract, dull, lifeless and boring in college! The problem wasn't that the material was hard to grasp, but that it was too theoretical!

At that time of my life, I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I always had to work extra hard to motivate myself to study and whenever I studied, it was just to pass my exams!

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?

How I stumbled upon the fastest way to learn a skill

Then I stumbled upon a couple of friends who where computer science majors. These folks enjoyed their courses and looked forward to their exams.

Do you know their secret?

They had real jobs working as computer programmers while attending college! So, they applied the theoretical knowledge from computer science college courses to real world software engineering and computer programming problems!

These students were motivated because their learning wasn't entirely theoretical like mine was. They received a big, immediate, real-world payback from their studies by working on real, living, practical problems.

This my friend, is the fastest way to learn a skill.

Look at it this way. What is the fastest way to learn Chinese or any foreign language if you are an English speaker?

1. Studying books, videos or CDs on Chinese or any foreign language?

2. Attending language classes on Chinese or any foreign language?

3. Going to live and work in China or any foreign country?

Studies have shown that the human brain is not really designed and does not perform well with abstract subjects.

This is because our brains are designed to make meaning and interpret what it studies. so, concrete real-world concepts are easier for our brains to understand than abstract, theoretical information.

However, you have to be careful how you interpret the data I am giving you!

You cannot just learn information technology or software development concepts like UML, Use Cases, Requirements Analysis, Web Design, Database Design, Computer Programming, just by doing!

You Cannot Learn Just By Doing!

You cannot learn just by doing! If you try to learn just by doing, you will soon become one of those that don't understand what they are doing and are always
trying to guess at the correct solution!

The Best Way To Learn A Skill Includes Both The Theory and Practice

You need to have a sound theoretical understanding of the problem you are
solving and a lot of real-world experience with applying your theoretical
knowledge!

This my friend is the principle that I follow in all my training courses and
books.

1. I emphasize the exact amount of theoretical knowledge in my training
courses, no more and no less and

2. I emphasize the exact amount of practical, real-world, hands on
problem solving learning, no more and no less

If you are interested in "learning both the exact" theoretical knowledge
and practical skill that will take your business analyst career
or computer programmer career or IT analyst career to the next
level, order my training courses at
title="Online SQL Training">SQLBOOTCAMP.COM or
title="Online Business Analyst Training">BUSINESSANALYSTBOOTCAMP.COM or
title="Online Software Developer Training">SOFTWAREDEVELOPERBOOTCAMP.COM
or title="Books">ORDER MY BOOKS!

About The Author

My name is Kingsley Tagbo and I?m a technical expert living in Saint Louis,
Missouri. I write about the training, coaching, mentoring
and personal development of software development professionals including
business analysts, computer programmers, testers, project managers, web
designers, data analysts, report writers, software developers and other
information technology professionals .

My firm, Exacticity, performs software development consulting and training for
clients throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore,
Australia and New Zealand. If you are in need of software development
consultants or training, target="_blank"
title="contact the author">click here to get in touch with me.

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

Visit our Shopping Cart