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tjwent69
Starting Member
30 Posts |
 Posted - 2007-08-24 : 16:51:05
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| I am the IS manager for a medium business. I am also the DBA and the programmer and help desk and trainer etc etc. In 2003 I embarked on a project which went live in 2005. We contracted to have our order processing system rewritten into SQL. I went from a character based 4GL language called Progress running in a UNIX enviroment to a knock down, drag out, full blown microsoft solution. I have been operating this new system for two years making modest enhancements and improvements as my skills with microsoft are increasing and improving (retraining my brain to think objects)and hiring contractors to do the really cool fun stuff. I have to learn Server 2003, SQL Server 2005, SQL Express, T-SQL, Replication, Reporting Services, SSIS, IIS, DTS, Visual Source Safe, Visual Studio, VB, C#, ADO.NET and the .NET Framework fits in here too although I don't really know where. I hope you are starting to understand my feeling of being 'in over my head'. Right now everything is running perfect. I do backups, restore them and create new reports. Basic stuff. On top of this our company has merged with a larger one and this bigger company does not have a microsoft solution. They have an AS400 home grown application that I do not want to learn. I will not go backwards!!!!! I will loose my job/position in the next couple of years. I want certifications (to get that interview). I just don't have the skills to back up the certification (I don't want to be one of those exam cram people) I do a plethora of unrelated taks all day long. Not because I have to do them I choose to do them. I like both DBA and Programming.So, if you were me, and could get certifications and have experience to back them up what would you do first? |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
Posted - 2007-08-24 : 17:22:23
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| no idea how you thought this should go into script library forum.moved._______________________________________________Causing trouble since 1980blog: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp |
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tjwent69
Starting Member
30 Posts |
Posted - 2007-08-24 : 17:23:53
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| Thank you. |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
Posted - 2007-08-24 : 17:24:08
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| well i chose the MCITP path starting with this:http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp/archive/2007/05/10/60199.aspxyou can got DB dev or DBA path from there.then you can choose some .net certs and go for MCSE._______________________________________________Causing trouble since 1980blog: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp |
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess
38200 Posts |
Posted - 2007-08-24 : 21:29:03
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| I would go for the experience first, certifications don't mean much for most larger organizations that have experienced SQL Server people. A certification doesn't mean much unless you are trying to get a junior position and have very little experience. Anything higher than junior requires experience. The interview process weeds out the people who don't have the experience and are just faking it.Get some books on the subjects that you need to learn. Do all of the examples and labs in them. I'd start with Ken Henderson's books. That'll get you going on programming. I'd also recommend Kalen Delaney's books for the in-depth knowledge of the engine, more on the DBA side of things. Reporting Services is easy enough to learn without books, but you may want to pick one up if you get stuck on anything. I wouldn't worry about DTS or SSIS. I've learned as I've used them. They are pretty intuitive in my opinion.For the programming stuff, I'd suggest going to one training class. One that is .NET such as VB.NET or C#. You'll pick up the .NET framework as you work on them. You'll learn Visual Studio also while you are working with the programming languages since that's the IDE. Source Safe is just so simple that I wouldn't worry about learning it. You can learn it after playing with it for a few minutes. You just need to understand the concepts of source control.Tara KizerMicrosoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Serverhttp://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/ |
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In over my head and need guidance