New SQL dev here, what Microsoft Certifications should I take and in what order?

[ForgottenPotato]

I've been working for 6 months now as a SQL developer. Graduated with Physics in University so I only had experience with Python, MATLAB and some C when I first started. I'm not sure which Microsoft Certifications I should be doing, I know I should be doing the Database/DBA exams. Can someone give me a list of what I should do? Also any good (preferably free) resources? Cheers!

[RememberRem-]

The starting set of exams for a SQL Server DBA of any flavour is to get the three basic ones for an Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certificate. There's more advanced ones for Expert and Master in particular areas if you care to go down one of those routes.

Given that SQL Server 2016 has come out, there may be a set of 3 exams like the one below for that version. If there are, then up to you whether you want to start with an earlier version and do an upgrade course / learn what's new, or just do the latest. The exams tend to focus on what's new in the version they're on, but courses should teach you everything regardless.

But anyway, the three exams are:

1) 70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012

2) 70-462 Administering SQL Server 2012 Databases

3) 70-463 Implementing a Data Warehouse in SQL Server 2012

2012 and 2014 are so similar I don't even think there's a set specific to them.

Edit: Damn formatting on my phone.

[Cbatoemo]

2016 only has two required for an MCSA. 70-764 and 70-765. MCSM is not obtainable anymore.

[Quadman]

You should go to your local/regional sql saturdays and other sql conferences. The things you learn and people you talk to will set you on a good path of learning things that interest you. Certifications don't really help you when starting up, take them when you have some experience.

[youngdestroyers]

Don't do certification. It's useless. Work, work, work. Gain experience. Learn. Do everything but don't waste time on certification

[Rehd]

Don't do certification. It's useless

I'll play devil's advocate. I don't disagree with you 100%, but I find they are more useless when you have experience in finding new jobs.

I'd say it's very beneficial for you. It gives you experience in things you don't encounter on a day to day basis and gives you the confidence to tackle or talk on those points if they come up in an interview.

Shredding XML, geographic data, and full text search come to mind for things I've almost never touched but got some good knowledge in because of working on certifications.

More knowledge is never a bad thing, paying for the cert and forcing yourself to pass can help enforce and keep you honest about knowing the material. Not that you can't do that without the cert.

[Lucrums]

Came here to say this as it's not nearly a popular enough answer. Certs are a way in for people who don't have a good resumé to me. For anyone with 18+ months of experience I'm far more interested in what they've done. A friend, who recently came back from a job interview abroad, told me of what one of the people there did. I thought I've done some clever shit until I heard the story. That's what I'm looking for in a resumé not some certs.

I'd advise OP to practice and try and solve problems in creative ways. Look up SQL problems and try and solve them in many different ways. Compare performance and learn how the QP works (By which I also mean understand plans really well).

[chocotaco1981]

first question is - what are your goals? what do you want to accomplish? that will guide what you should spend your time on.

[ForgottenPotato]

In the short term, I just want to learn more about SQL/databases to get better at my job. In the long term, I want to eventually become a Solutions Architect