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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There is an article on Elance that says that SQL skills are currently the third, most in-demand skill on the Elance job network

Elance for those of you who’ve never heard of it, is one of the top job sites for freelancers or remote workers or offsite consultants

You may not have heard of Elance because you’ve always worked a full-time job and you don’t know much about the freelancing or moonlighting world or perhaps you have worked freelance jobs, but for some reason, have never heard of Elance.

Whatever your reason, I would like to introduce Elance to you as a job site worth checking out in the current recession.

Elance is a site you go to for freelance / remote / offsite work in web design, database development, web programming, technical writing, writing, business analysis and a whole suite of other professional careers.

Note that there are several types of database platforms available in the market including Oracle, SQL Server, Microsoft Access, MySQL. Also note that a relational database may be in-demand in one job site and not in the other.

For example, a relational database (rdbms) platform may be the hottest, in-demand database skill on Monster but not on Elance.

So, in this article on Elance, 1200 MySQL projects were posted in the last 30 days. Click here to read the rest of the article

I would love to hear from you, your take on this …

1. Have you used Elance or any freelancing job site?
2. Why do you think that SQL is the third most in-demand skill on Elance?
3. Are you planning to checkout any Freelance sites or would you focus exclusively on full-time job sites?

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If you want to master working with SQL or are preparing for a SQL Interview, you already know that answering SQL interview questions is key to getting hired for a SQL job.

What you may not know is that the importance of learning SQL Interview Questions goes beyond just getting a job!

Believe it or not, getting a SQL job is not as hard as keeping the job after you get it!

In this article I will share the most effective strategies for acing SQL interview questions, getting a job or keeping a SQL job after you get it!

How To Ace SQL Interview Questions

Answering SQL Questions is easy when you realize that almost every SQL job interview is designed to be one of these:

1. Open Ended Or Essay Type SQL Interview Questions: In this type of interview, you are asked a number of open ended SQL programming questions. However the interviewer is not looking for a textbook or theoretical answer but a practical answer forged from the textbook, real world experience and hands-on knowledge of the question. You score points on each SQL interview question based on how knowledgeable or prepared you sound.

2. Multiple Choice SQL Interview Questions: In this type of SQL interview, you are made to take a SQL quiz using a testing software program. You may have to answer up to 50 SQL interview questions randomly selected from a question pool. You have to chose the exact answers and your choices are automatically graded at the end of your SQL developer interview.

Acing SQL Interviews Is Easy!

Now, why did I say that both types of interview questions are simple? SQL interview questions are simple because:

• Limited Question Pool: There is a limited number of interview questions that you could be asked on SQL Queries or Relational Databases (RDBMS) or SQL Joins, Stored Procedures, or their SQL topics! The key is to recognize this in advance and prepare thoroughly and exhaustively.

• Interview Questions Are 80/20: technical interviews are more practical rather than theoretical in nature. Job applicants tend to be overwhelmed when preparing for interviews because they try to study every possible theoretical questions under the sun! That is so wrong … the truth is that job interviews are designed to test the areas of a skill or technology that you actually use on the job! For example, Normalization to the Third Normal Form is good for most practical database projects. So, staying up late to master all the higher normal forms including Boyce Codd Normal Form is a bit of a theoretical exercise!

The Better Way To Prepare For SQL Job Interviews

The convenient or effective time to start preparing for a SQL Job Interview is not one or two weeks before you a job search! It is better to start preparing months in advance of your job search … that way, when you actually need to take an interview, you will have prepared yourself thoroughly in advance, without any pressure or duress and you have had time to assimilate and understand every nuance of the SQL Programming Language!

Continuous Testing And Assessment

The SQL Boot Camp Online Training Software has an in-built testing program. In addition to the Online SQL Video training you are tested continuously … to check your understanding, retention or application. There are three types of SQL Quiz questions employed by the SQL Boot Camp’s in-built Quiz training system:

• Single Choice Quiz Questions: In a single choice quiz, you may choose only one answer as the correct answer.

• Multiple Choice Quiz Questions: In a multiple choice quiz, you may choose one or more answers as the correct answer

• Essay Type / Open Ended Quiz Questions: In an open ended, essay type quiz, you may provide as much detail as you would in a face to face job interview!

The SQL Boot Camp Online Training Software provides instant feedback to your answers in a single choice or multiple choice question. The feedback includes both the correct answers and the answer explanation.

The SQL Boot Camp Interview Questions Bank

There are more than 200 SQL Interview Grade Questions and Answers distributed throughout the SQL Boot Camp’s Courses. The Question Pool provides a complete, end to end, beginner to advanced training and assessment feature for professionals who wants to master SQL, ace SQL programming interviews or learn SQL writing for their day to day job

This is part one of the SQL Interview Questions series. Stay tuned for the second part of the SQL Interview Questions coming next!

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2009 Tech Predictions

Happy New Year!! Here are some technology predictions for 2009 that are worth a read for software developers, business analysts and database developers who want to position themselves for success in 2009:

1. Pay attention to Social Media says CapGemini:

“2009 will be the year when use of social networking tools within companies will be the talk of the town. Yes, it has been around for a while but to be honest, nothing much has really happened apart from that Serena Software uses Facebook internally.

So when our global heads of Capgemini Consulting visited Sweden office last week and started talking about the power of social networking only five minutes into the talk I felt that something had changed. For the better. Substantial growth is predicted in web 2.0 for the enterprise within the next five years.”

2. The economy looms large says PCWorld:

“Ultimately, economic conditions will play a huge role in how 2009 pans out for the developer community. When customers aren’t buying, tool vendors don’t innovate — so don’t expect many groundbreaking new technologies to debut this year.

Among enterprise customers, tightening budgets are likely to put the kibosh on many an ambitious new project. But smart companies will realize that process automation is one of the best ways to reduce costs in any business.

Now may actually be the ideal time to revisit old software schemes that got shelved back when staffing budgets were flush. Layoffs and hiring freezes will mean there are fewer developers to go around, however, which could make smart projects infeasible for the time being.”

3. Agile development is a must says Barry Gervin:

“Many of my customers began large-scale re-writes of their key software assets in 2008, many of them against my recommendations. For most of my key customers in 2008 and into 2009 I’m an advocate of providing incremental value in short iterative releases, not major re-writes that take 6+ months to develop.

Even if your application is written in PowerBuilder 6 or Classic ASP, avoid the temptation to rewrite any code that won’t see production for 4 months or longer. We can work towards componentized software by refactoring legacy assets and providing key integration points so that we can release updated modules towards gradual migration.

It is difficult for software teams in this economy to produce big-bang, “boil the ocean”, build cathedral type projects. We simply can’t predict what our project’s funding will be in 4 months from now, or if we’ll be owned by another company, scaled down, out sourced or just plain laid off. That is of course unless you work for the government.

Government spending will continue if not increase in 2009, but still, try to spend our taxpayer money wisely by delivering short incremental software releases. It allows you to build trust with your customers, mark a line in the sand and move onward and upward, and let’s you move quickly in times of fluid business requirements and funding issues.

Incremental, Value-Based software development isn’t easy.
It takes lots of work, creative thinking, and much interop and integration work than one would prefer. It might easily seem like an approach that costs more in the long term, and in some cases you could be right. But if a company has to throw out work in progress after 6-8 months or never sees the value of it because of other changing business conditions, then what have you saved? Probably not your job anyway.”

For more technology predictions for 2009, Bob Stumpel has an impressive compilation of tech predictions from around the web here.

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How To Learn SQL or Databases Online

The demand for SQL query writing or database skills is tied to the high demand for web, intranet and internet application development skills

Organizations invest in web projects because they need to automate their business operations as it grows in complexity, expands in size or becomes more profitable.

This post addresses the following questions:

• Why is SQL query writing skills needed?
• What do SQL query writers do?
• How can you become a SQL query writer?
• What makes SQL query writers different from other developers?

Read the rest of this post to review my answers to the questions.

What Is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) pronounced “sequel”, is a SET based language used to manipulate (add, retrieve, edit, update, delete) data in relational database management systems (RDBMS).

SQL is used for creating data structures (tables, views, stored procedures), writing the queries that retrieves data used in reports, making changes, updating maintaining data and in analysis work for identifying trends or insights.

SQL also describes a family of set-based languages that adhere loosely to the ANSI-SQL standards

Database vendors implement their own version of SQL, so each relational database including Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Oracle or MySQL has a flavor, dialect or syntax of SQL peculiar to it.

Oracle uses a flavor of SQL known as Oracle PL/SQL, SQL Server is Transact SQL (TSQL) and Microsoft Access is Access SQL.

However, if you learn or master any version of SQL, working with other versions will not be hard because they operate according to a set of basic principles or commands.

Why Are SQL Query Writing Skills Needed?

• Sql skills are now taken as regarded as nice to have for many other careers. In some organizations, business analysts and data analysts are expected to have handson sql query analysis skills.

  Most software development positions now regard database development or sql query skills as mandatory.

• Learning SQL query writing allows you to transition into high demand careers in computer programming or web development.

  This is a big deal because computer programmers can earn as much as six figures and web developers have the most portable set of skills.

• Learning SQL transfers a versatile programming skill that is considerably less complex than traditional software development programming languages.

  Computer programming languages take up to a year or even more to learn or master why Sql skills can be mastered in a relatively short time … as little as 4 months.

• Web or windows applications provide services that require database capabilities for retrieving, saving or manipulating data which in turn creates a demand for database and SQL development skills.

Tips On Learning Sql Query Writing

1. Learn One SQL Dialect: There are as many dialects of SQL as there are types of relational databases.

   For example the SQL language used in SQL Server differs from that used in Oracle which differs from that used in MySQL.

   However, when starting out, focus on learning and mastering just one SQL dialect like Microsoft’s Transact SQL.

   Then when the need actually presents itself at work, like when you have to learn additional SQL dialects like Oracle’s PL/SQL or Microsoft’s Access, learn that because your job requires that

   In other words, don’t try to learn every version or flavor of skill!

2. Use SQL for Database Work: SQL programming is SET based and is designed for manipulating (adding, retrieving, editing, deleting) data.

   Unlike other types of programming like Java or C# which are more Object Oriented and are used for creating full blown web and windows applications.

   One of the secrets to success in working with SQL is to use it for SET based operations and traditional programming languages for procedural coding!

   In other words, don’t write SQL queries for problems that will be better solved by traditional programming languages and don’t write code for problems that are better solved with Sql Queries.

3. Learning SQL Is Easy: Becoming a SQL programmer is easier than most people think because programming with SQL on databases like SQL Server is less complex than programming with languages like Java or C#.

   The reasons are:

   • You can’t create web applications or windows applications in SQL which removes one layer of complexity.
   • You are expected to use a fully fledged application development language like Java or C# to develop complex business rules and not SQL.

4. Learn both the Theory and Practice of Databases: To become a SQL developer, you must master both the theory and practices of Relational Database Design and Development for real world databases like Microsoft Access, SQL Server or Oracle.

5. Know This Before You Apply for SQL Positions: There are fewer pure SQL developer jobs than other types of programming jobs like Java or Microsoft .NET Programming.

   This is because traditional SQL development is part of what a professional software developer does.

   So, be ready to apply your Sql Query Writing or Database skills in the context of data analyst, software developer, project manager, report writer or even technical management jobs.

6. Know How your SQL Skills Will Be Applied:

   If you are interviewing for a new position with a recruiter or hiring manager know the percentage of SQL query writing, database design & development, data analysis or report writing that you will be doing on the job.

7. SQL Developer’s Responsibility: A SQL developer’s responsibility is to create the stored procedures, views and tables used in the database.

   It is also the Sql Developer’s responsibility to maintain the data contained in the database or extract useful insight, trends or information from it.

SQL Query Writers Or Database Developer Job Satisfaction

Learning SQL or Database Development online is fun and easy.

Sql Query Writing or Database Developer careers do not have the steeper learning curve that comes with software developer careers because the relational database development environment is less complex than that of the traditional computer programming environment.

In addition, SQL Queries and Relational Database skills are useful in software development, business analysis, financial analysis or modeling, data analysis, report writing and several other types of jobs … in other words, SQL is a very portable skill.

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


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