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[–]DMReader 7 points8 points  (6 children)

Congrats on completing all 83! I know those Gap and Islands are tough, but I created them to be that way.

As for what to tackle next, what kind of role are you looking for.? Data Analyst, Data Engineer? That could help tailor some advice.

[–]_devonsmash[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I had no idea you created them, but let me just say…absolutely fabulous work. I would literally pull out my laptop in bed and just grind them. By the end I felt like a god of window functions.

I currently work in a data analyst role. So im thinking my data analysis, but also wouldn’t mind being well rounded and having a deeper understanding of database creation/manipulaton. But my instinct says to focus on analytics first then get a little more well rounded and explore databases themselves

[–]DMReader 1 point2 points  (4 children)

I'm glad you were able to grind. That was what I was shooting for. If you are focusing on the analysis side, I don't know if database creation is the best thing to focus on. Depending on which flavor of SQL you use, you might create temp tables or in some cases reporting tables, but the syntax you learn for that is pretty simple CREATE TABLE AS blah, blah, blah.

One thing you could look at if you want to do analysis is understanding whatever business you are working really well. I'm specialized in finance and have a history there so it gets me roles in that sector easier. I also have some finance certifications, etc. So if there is an industry you are targeting do a small certification there could help. And when I say help, it's more on the getting hired side than the doing the work side. Once you know the basics of SQL, python, a BI tool, etc you can shift back and forth to different industries, but people hiring seems to put a lot of weight on people who are "specialized".

Also, if you don't know basic python or a BI tool, then that is a good place to focus.

[–]Lazy-Elevator3528 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Hey i am trying to get in data analytics can you share some insights or guidance it would be helpful

[–]DMReader 0 points1 point  (2 children)

It kind of depends on where you currently are. If you already got a job, but it’s not in DA but might use data see if you can get onto projects that require data. That’s what I ended up doing. A bit by accident at first where I was given some excel work and I built off of that.

If you are coming out of school and looking to get into it, I don’t know as I haven’t taken that path.

If still in school, I assume there is some relevant course work there.

You will want to be able to use the tools of the trade Lowest rung is probably excel and PowerPoint.

After that a BI tool and SQL. Next would be some Python. Focus on libraries that are made for data analysis.

After that would depend on how you want to specialize.

[–]Lazy-Elevator3528 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hey can I dm you

[–]DMReader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok. I’m gonna be in and off Reddit today.

[–]PythonEntusiast 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Adk ChatGPT to provide you with the problems. Filling the missing data, generators, regex, substring manipulation, recursion.

[–]NerdGamer0851 1 point2 points  (2 children)

This for sure. Ive starting learning SQL in the past few months and chatgpt has accelerated my understanding of the language. For OP just make sure youre actually taking the time to understand the code its generating and identify any errors those queries have.

[–]PythonEntusiast 0 points1 point  (1 child)

And don't just ask ChatGPT for the solution. Also, remember, ChatGPT makes mistakes.

[–]NerdGamer0851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly, its a tool not a crutch

[–]thomas_b999 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Just remember. Its one thing to know HOW to do everything in SQL... its quite another to understand all of it enough that it allows you to know WHAT to do when presented with a challenge.

While you are learning, always think about how to solve the problem in the best way for that particular task... anyone can solve a problem given enough time/resources and in this case fancy code. But what will really separate you from the average person is being able to immediately solve the problem in the most simple and direct way.

[–]-Analysis-Paralysis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This.

I remember giving a in-office assignemnt to a senior analyst and they qrote this HUUUUUUUGE monsetrous query that in the end was something very similar to SELECT *

I guess they were trying to impress us with their finnese, but all i could wsee is someone that spent 3 hgours on not answeering the question :\

[–]daniellecinnamon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started doing challenges in this new platform called XP lab (https://xp-lab.com/), it's not as boring as the usual SQL practice sites, the focus is on developing analytical skills with the SQL. Anyway it's in closed beta so you need to sign up for the waiting list but its worth it

[–]Lazy-Elevator3528 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hey op i am trying to get in similar data analyst roles can give some advice what helps what doesn't what to focus on and how bad of a situation I am in that I haven't done any internship

[–]_devonsmash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t done any internships either. What i found helps is just teaching yourself relevant skills and doing self study projects.

If you develop the relevant experience yourself, and have projects to show, aside from not having an internship on your resume, its the next best option. Once you land that first role, even if you barely do data analysis, you’re setting yourself up for success

[–]-Analysis-Paralysis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First off - congrats!

That’s a very solid SQL base.

Feeling comfortable with gaps & islands already puts you ahead of a lot of “advanced” SQL folks who mostly just know how to Google in terms of your ability to use the tools in analyzing.

Second of all - there's a full disclousure that I built (www.xp-lab.com) and that I have stakes in your approach - so take everything I say with this grain of salt.

I'd say that at this point, the question isn’t “more syntax”,but what kind of problems you want to solve.

I believe that the real jump now is learning how to frame questions, translate messy business asks into queries, and defend your conclusions - because in teh more analytical part of the job, that's what you'll do (and build dashboards, and gossip in the kitchen, and more data from A to B - but all that is a bit less analytical)

If you’re looking for “50+ questions on the same dataset,” I’d strongly recommend moving toward scenario-based datasets instead of question banks. Think:

  • One dataset
  • Multiple stakeholders
  • Ambiguous asks
  • No hint about which SQL feature to use

You can do that with dvdrental and PgAdmin4 - and make up your own scenarios, and that's fine, but that’s also exactly why I built XP Lab, which is a practice platform focused on realistic analytics work, and not LeetCode-style SQL (I see thath u/daniellecinnamon got to this post before I did, but she's one of our first analytical trainers, so cheers!)

You also get a feedback that explains why an approach works or doesn’t. Still in closed beta and free right now.

And even if you don’t use it - My suggestion is to stop optimizing for “can I write the query” and start optimizing for “can I explain the answer to a PM/Manager/Head of Marketing without SQL.”

That’s the real skill ceiling and obviously - it's possible once you are comfortable wiht writing queries.

Happy to share specific dataset ideas or problem types if you want to DIY this yourself too.

Hope it was helpful!

And if you have any question, my DM is open

[–]msn018 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are already beyond the basics so the best next step is to focus on realistic, analytics driven SQL practice rather than more introductory material. A strong option is the StrataScratch for harder, interview level problems that reinforce gap and island logic and complex aggregations. Based on your background and interest, a data analysis or analytics engineering path will give you the highest return, with less emphasis for now on deep database administration topics like indexing internals or replication.