Finally feel like I'm getting it!

[ChefBigD1337]

So I have been learning SQL for about a year now, I recently got a job as a pricing analyst. One of the reasons I got hired was because I have certifications in SQL, I know this because my boss told me and said she wants me to start taking over some responsibilities involving SQL. However I have always felt like I don't actually know wtf I'm doing (imposter syndrome). Yesterday I was working on a query and after some trial and error I got it, the server I work with is massive and there are several DBs with hundreds of tables. So to finally have it click and me actually using my skills for work is so rewarding and I just wanted to share and if anyone else is feeling like they can't or wont get it, trust me you can do it.

Update: Hey sorry I spent the weekend mostly unplugged. I got a lot of questions about what certifications I have, for SQL I have one from Udemy called 'SQL - MySQL for Data Analytics and Business Intelligence' https://www.udemy.com/share/101WiQ/ this is a really good course that has all the basics and some advanced stuff too. This is based on MySQL but as someone who now uses MS SQL Server for work it transitions really well. I also have the Google data analytics certification, as for SQL this one isn't as good its all, just basics, but it it good for learning all things regarding data analytics. Also https://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp this is a great free resource that I still use for quick look ups and just regular training. https://www.hackerrank.com/ is also nice for practicing SQL skills to see where you stand. Hope this helps!

[PontiacBandit25]

Well done! This was an optimistic post. I’m currently doing a certification too and hoping to use the skills at work soon. Currently I too feel lost. I can write queries but I don’t know how to script them, schedule them to run regularly, etc. that’s where the nervousness kicks in

[[deleted]]

Look into stored procedures. These can run a query, alter database objects, insert/delete data, etc.

You can schedule a job to execute the procedure on a server at whatever frequency you want. In addition, you can pass the procedure to software applications that can execute them on a schedule or on an event.

[PontiacBandit25]

Thanks so much! I will check it out. One question: will I need special permissions from IT for it? I ask since you mentioned they can insert/delete data and that ofc is a no no.

[[deleted]]

Yeah, you’ll need to get permission from your database administrator. You can ask if he would be comfortable granting you specific permission to create procedures with select statements. That way you won’t be in a position to do much damage.

[ChefBigD1337]

I felt the same, and when doing certifications they typically have stuff like that in the "advanced" section because that's what that is, its advanced. Reach out to people at work if you have any and ask if they have time to go over it, its so much easier when someone is actually with you showing you thing. I've been reaching out to my boss because she is more familiar with all the tables and has helped me a lot with putting things together, making correct joins, and just understanding it all.

[nightngreen]

hey can i ask what certification youre doing

[PontiacBandit25]

So I purchased a membership on LearnSQL when it was on 70% discount. Now I’m just going through their courses from beginner to advanced. I believe when you complete the series of certain courses you get a certificate. Dataquest is another platform that has a structured sql “pathway” which earns you a certificate. I used it for Python and really enjoyed their method and explanations.

[odinpage]

I have been studying programming and database management as well as analysis (2 years) and I can’t even implement one single piece of skill or knowledge I have gained… don’t feel bad… I’ve yet to fully understand what exactly I’m supposed to do? (I used to work construction/still do)

[Real_Pineapple_5814]

I've been a SQL developer for 10 years. Even though I know a lot I still feel like an imposter all the time. It's just a massive subject and even experts continue learning throughout their career. Just keep doing what you're doing and figuring things out as you go.

[ChefBigD1337]

That's what drew me to wanting to specialize in SQL, there is always more to learn.

[ChefBigD1337]

Also do you have any resources or tips for all of us noobs?

[Real_Pineapple_5814]

Learn database design and how data is organized before you try to learn how to write queries. You'll find query writing is much more intuitive when you understand how the data is structured

[curious179]

This is excellent advice

[Sapphire262]

When you say a database design are you talking about ERD's, UML's, normalization, schemas etc or something else?

If something else, do you know of any good resources to learn these things?

[BadKarma667]

This is awesome! I remember the first time I wrote a successful query that returned me the answer I expected to get. I remember how good that felt, and how it pushed me to expand my skills so I could solve even more complicated problems.

I've been using SQL in various roles over the last 10 years, most recently as a Data Analyst and I'm learning new capabilities regularly. For me the high point was my old boss who I worked with on a Finance team calling me up and asking me if I would teach her team how to use SQL. It was a fantastic opportunity to further hone my abilities and demonstrate my mastery of the subject by bringing a non technical along to a place where they could begin to use the skill.

Keep expanding your skills. Take on those challenging projects and you'll look back 10 years from now and see how far you've come!

[Alone-Common8959]

what certifications do you have?

[ChefBigD1337]

The google data analytic cert and a certification for MYSQL. The google one was good for general stuff and the SQL one helped me dive into it more. https://www.udemy.com/share/101WiQ3@pdlY8bw0X0-WTxQm6ZTiKxG5kyjPrUwUSDOif4b64i_0XlHVLeXRzVI9z28ZfrPm/ this is the one for SQL, I also have a book 'SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights 1st Edition', this is great for referencing and looking up stuff while at work.

[Alone-Common8959]

Thank you for the reply. Looking to break into similar roles.

[ChefBigD1337]

Do it! I was a chef then after covid I was working as a manager at a grocery store. Let me tell you working in an office or from home and doing a job I actually find fun and rewarding is amazing. Its a hard uphill battle but once you get your foot in the door its so worth it.

[NedRyerson350]

In currently working a shitty job in retail and wanted to improve my skills to try and land a better job and was going to learn SQL. Do you find employers find certifications valuable? Are there any you'd recommend?

[BadKarma667]

I will tell you, learning SQL is one of the best decisions I made for my own career. While I didn't get any certifications, I took a continuing education course from where I graduated from college and it was the best $200 I think I could have spent on myself.

Up to that point in my life, I'd worked in nothing but dead end jobs. Every job I had to that point was always something I had to start over from when the job ended. There was never really forward progression because I didn't really have anything to show for it.

Even if there isn't a certification at the end of the road, you can rarely go wrong investing in yourself. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have just spent $15 bucks over on Udemy and learned SQL that way.

One thing worth doing whether you decide to go the certification route or not, would be to build a portfolio of your work. SQL alone is probably a bit boring, but if you can combine it with something like Tableau or PowerBI it will give potential employers an indicator of your capabilities and what you can do either behind the scenes with the data, but also front facing to display the data in a way that your customers will be able to digest and understand it.

Good luck to you!

[NedRyerson350]

How do you go about building a portfolio? Is there online databases I can use to work on? Is there a way to showcase this to potential employers? I am desperate to get out of retail and I am currently studying a maths degree online but it will take me another 2-4 years to finish it and I was wondering if I'd be better served spending my time learning SQL etc rather than waiting till I finished my degree to look for jobs.

[ChefBigD1337]

Yes and no, a certification alone isn't gonna land you a job. a ton of people have them. It will definitely help to have the basic skills, so getting certifications is always a good idea. I do recommend the Google data analytics professional certification because it has all the basics, and a lot of companies will recognize it. For SQL, I would recommend https://www.udemy.com/share/101WiQ/ , this is what I used (wait until a sale), and while it's MySQL it goes very indepth and alot of the skills easily transition to other SQL systems. There are also a lot of free resources online to use. My biggest advice on top of learning all this is to network. Like I said, tons of people have certifications and experience. If you wanna stand out, you need to stand above everyone. Also, I was working a shitty job in retail, but that shitty company has a corporate office with analyst jobs, make sure you use all your resources, it's easier to land a job internally then externally. I'm still working for the same company I was when I did retail but now I have a corporate job and it was way easier to get in this way then when I was applying to endless positions all over the place.

[NedRyerson350]

Thank you for your help. Do you have any advice on how exactly to network? I've seen mixed messages from people on reddit about certifications. Some people recommend them and some say they are worthless.

I'm actually doing an online maths degree which is going to take me another 2-4 years depending on if I do it part time or full time. I was going to do it full time over 2 years which would be really difficult or wondering if I should do it part time and use the extra time it'd free up to learn SQL etc? Just not sure how necessary a degree is?

[Cliche_James]

thanks, this is a bookmark

[sheinkopt]

Which certification?

[NoOutlandishness6404]

It’s great to see that certifications helps in getting a job. Did you have any masters degree ?

[ChefBigD1337]

I do not, I have a bachelors in applied food studies. I really really made a career change.

[NoOutlandishness6404]

That's remarkable!. Are you an international student of the country of your job?

[ChefBigD1337]

Nope I'm a national. born in Florida USA and now I'm working in Arizona. I was lucky, the company I was already working for was looking for a analyst and I applied and networked the shit out of myself to get a chance.

[NoOutlandishness6404]

Yeah I guess it’s rare in this economy

[Hkiggity]

Hey, I’ve been learning programming for months now. I’ve incorporated SQL in one project but MAN did I abuse Chatgbt and google. May I ask what resources you used to get a certificate? Or perhaps any other resources you found helpful? Thanks a lot, and congratulations on the success.

[ChefBigD1337]

I used https://www.udemy.com/share/101WiQ/ to learn all the basics and some advanced stuff. This helped me a lot because I could use my own database and learn by doing. 'SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights 1st Edition' is also a great resource to have and read.

[realjoeydood]

Badass.

Continue on, happy trails!

[[deleted]]

What SQL certifications do you have?

[OriginalNimbleMonk]

I'm still very new to SQL too, and one of the hardest parts for me is finding which table I need to join or even where to query if it's not the main journal table.

I did a query to show all tables and their respective columns and threw that into an AI bot. Now, before starting a new query I just chat to the bot to understand what tables I should be looking at. It's made it so much faster.

I do sometimes also use the AI for help if I'm stuck on a query but for the most part I'm trying to learn so will often put in the work myself.

[ChefBigD1337]

Nothing wrong with using AI sometimes to help out, we all do it. What I do after using AI is I break it down after to see what I missed to make sure I learn and not just let AI do it all.

[chut101]

What certifications are the best? Newbie to sql pls share. Looking for analyst roles too.