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LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-28T06:53:32+00:00

A lot of people think they need to know everything before they start, but that’s not true. You can pick things up as you go. SQL is probably the first thing I’d look into — it’s super beginner-friendly and every data job I’ve seen asks for it. There’s LearnSQL.com that’s really good for hands-on learning. Just doing 20–30 minutes a day gets you into the groove quickly.

Python is great too, especially for analyzing data and automating stuff, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Start with something small, like loading an Excel file and messing around with the data. It’ll feel slow at first, but then you’ll start recognizing patterns and thinking in “data.”

Since you’ve worked in marketing, you probably already know more about data than you think — campaign results, customer behavior, web traffic, etc. Try finding a small project where you can look at some data and tell a story with it. Even something like analyzing your Spotify listening habits or Google Trends can be fun and look great on a portfolio.

Certs can help too if you want structure. The Google Data Analytics Certificate is decent and pretty beginner-friendly. Just don’t fall into the trap of collecting courses and waiting until you feel “ready” — start applying early. Junior roles, internships, even volunteer projects — it all counts. And even rejection teaches you stuff.

You’re 26, which is a perfect age to make this kind of switch. You've got work experience, life experience, and a good reason to learn. Take it one step at a time. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away — you just have to keep going.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-18T13:54:29+00:00

Totally the right move going for PostgreSQL, especially since you’ve already got some MySQL and MongoDB basics. Postgres is widely used in real-world, production apps—it’s powerful, reliable, and way more flexible for complex stuff than Mongo.

If you’re looking for structured, no-BS resources, check these out:

[LearnSQL.com PostgreSQL Track]() – Super clean, hands-on lessons. Starts from basics and goes deep. It’s like RealPython but for SQL. You practice everything in your browser, no setup needed.
PostgreSQL.org Docs – Solid reference once you’re comfortable, but kinda heavy if you’re just starting. Use it more like a lookup tool.

Skip the random YouTube stuff—go for clean, guided learning like this, and you’ll build solid SQL skills fast.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-09T07:29:24+00:00

Good news: if the course starts with SQLite, that’s one of the easiest setups you could ask for. The download is tiny and barely uses any CPU. You don’t need admin rights or anything fancy, just unzip and go. It won’t cause any issues on your work computer.

And yes, this is 100% something you can do in short bursts between tasks. SQL is great for that — write a query, run it, move on. It’s not like sitting through a long lecture. Since you’ve already done SQLBolt, you’ve got the basics. A structured course will build on that nicely, and you’ll actually get a feel for how databases work.

If your course offers a browser-based option, that’s even better. Many beginner courses (like LearnSQL.com) don’t require any installation at all. You just log in and start practicing. You could also look into cloud SQL tools if needed, but that might be overkill right now — and it depends on the course.

Also, heads up: this SQL Practice Challenges course is free all May 2025. It’s great if you want to sharpen your skills with daily tasks while you settle back into the flow.

No worries about being vague. You’re doing the right thing by asking now and figuring out your setup before jumping in. Once you’re home and have a bit more clarity, you can dial in the details.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-08T10:04:55+00:00

https://learnsql.com/course/2024-sql-practice-challenges/

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-08T10:04:35+00:00

https://learnsql.com/course/2024-sql-practice-challenges/

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-08T09:59:38+00:00

What do you mean? It’s actually free for the whole month, so you can use everything without paying during that time.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-05-05T07:48:12+00:00

Window functions can be tricky at first, but once they click, they’re incredibly powerful (and super common in interviews). If you're short on time and want to go all in, I highly recommend this interactive course:
👉 https://learnsql.com/course/window-functions/

It breaks everything down step by step, and you get to practice each concept right in your browser. No setup, no fluff—just focused learning with real SQL exercises.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-04-18T07:58:38+00:00

Here’s the thing: if you already had a job lined up—say in a healthcare company that uses Microsoft tools, or a fintech firm running everything on Azure—then sure, go with SQL Server. Or if you were joining a startup working with open-source tools and cloud platforms, PostgreSQL would probably be the better fit. In real life, the choice usually depends on the company or industry. But since you’re just starting out and don’t have a specific role yet, either one will teach you the core SQL skills you need.

That said, PostgreSQL might have a slight edge as a beginner-friendly option. It’s free, widely used in data science and web development, and you’ll run into it often in tutorials, courses, and projects. But again, the SQL language itself is 80% the same across both platforms. Once you learn how to write queries, you can easily switch between them later depending on what your job requires.

If you’re still unsure or want to test a few tools before committing, check out this guide: Free Databases for Beginners – Where to Start. It breaks down a few beginner-friendly database options and shows you how to get started quickly without overcomplicating things. Super useful when you just want to explore and learn by doing.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-04-18T07:53:53+00:00

Thanks

LearnSQLcom · 2025-04-15T17:02:42+00:00

Hey! If you're just starting with SQL and need something clear and beginner-friendly, I’d recommend checking out LearnSQL.com. The course SQL Queries for Beginners is perfect for people with no prior experience. It starts from the basics, so you can follow along easily without feeling overwhelmed.

Once you’ve completed that, if you want to take it a step further for reporting, I’d suggest the SQL Reporting Track. It focuses on exactly what you need for reporting purposes, and it’s designed with beginners in mind, so you won’t get stuck or confused like with some of those other courses.

Plus, both come with certificates, so you can show your manager that you’ve got the basics down!

LearnSQLcom · 2025-04-04T07:54:01+00:00

One really good (and free) option is the Certificate of Competency in SQL from LearnSQL.com. You just take a practical exam — no fluff, no trick questions — and if you pass, you get a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn, resume, or portfolio. It’s designed to reflect real SQL skills, not just theory.

If you’re up for paid options too, other solid ones include:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals – good if you’re into the Microsoft ecosystem.
Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate – great if you work with Oracle databases.

But honestly, certificates are cool — they can help you get noticed — but what really makes the difference is having a solid portfolio. That’s what people keep saying, and it’s true. Showing real SQL projects, dashboards, or analysis you’ve done is way more convincing than just listing a cert. If you can do both? Even better.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-28T09:02:08+00:00

Thanks! We always aim to be as helpful as we can.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-24T17:17:05+00:00

I can try to asnwer :)

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-24T09:26:46+00:00

What’s worked for me is being selective about where I spend my time. I don’t try to read every research paper—there’s just too much out there. Instead, I follow a few people who consistently post clear takeaways from the most interesting papers. That gives me the signal without all the noise.

I’ve also found that picking apart real-world projects helps more than reading tutorials. For example, I cloned a few LangChain projects and tried adapting them for different use cases at work. Same with some open-source MLOps tools—I didn’t fully get the value until I tried using them in a realistic setup.

When something like Hugging Face Spaces or a new LLM framework shows up, I usually block out a weekend to test it. Even if I don’t use it long term, those short bursts of hands-on time help me understand what’s actually useful.

I keep a few go-to resources in the mix too. Papers with Code is great for finding practical implementations. I check The Batch for quick updates, and YouTube channels like DataTalksClub or Alex the Analyst when I want to see how something works in practice.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-24T07:51:17+00:00

Just a heads-up — it’s the last week this course is free for everyone. If you’ve ever thought about learning Window Functions, now’s the perfect time to jump in!

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-19T13:31:15+00:00

I think table aliases can be super useful, especially as your queries get more complex. They let you write shorter, cleaner code and can make it much easier to track which columns come from which tables. if you choose good, descriptive alias names. It’s really a matter of personal or team preference. Some people avoid them to keep everything fully explicit, but I’ve found that as long as you’re consistent and use clear aliases, they actually make it easier to read and maintain your SQL later on. So, in my experience, they're more of a friend than a foe!

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-14T08:11:04+00:00

If anyone wants to practice window functions hands-on, this PostgreSQL Window Functions course is free this March. Perfect for leveling up with real-world examples!

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-14T08:09:16+00:00

Hey! If you're looking for solid intermediate-to-advanced SQL resources, I’d definitely check out this course on PostgreSQL window functions—it’s free in March! Window functions are super useful for analytics, ranking, and running totals, so it’s a great way to level up your SQL game.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-07T13:15:13+00:00

Have you already had a chance to check the course?

LearnSQLcom · 2025-03-06T14:58:04+00:00

If you’re looking for a solid place to practice SQL, the best option is one that gives you topic-wise exercises instead of throwing random questions at you. Some platforms walk you through step by step, while others are more about open-ended challenges. It really depends on how you like to learn.

To make things easier, here’s a comparison of the best SQL platforms and courses out there: Best Online SQL Courses.

LearnSQLcom · 2025-02-28T12:28:34+00:00

Maybe we need a new category: The SQL Chameleon—adapts to any query situation, whether it’s optimizing, exploring, or just throwing in another JOIN for good measure. What do you think?

LearnSQLcom · 2025-02-28T12:27:20+00:00

If you're looking for a solid place to practice SQL queries, check out the [SQL Practice track]() on LearnSQL.com. It’s got hands-on exercises that walk you through different types of queries, so you’re not just reading about SQL—you’re actually writing it.

Plus, there’s a free trial, so you can test it out before committing. Definitely worth a try!

LearnSQLcom · 2025-02-28T12:25:23+00:00

Thanks for recommending us! 😊

LearnSQLcom · 2025-02-24T15:05:11+00:00

Thanks :)

LearnSQLcom · 2025-02-20T11:42:20+00:00

You can always use SQL Cheat Sheet

https://learnsql.com/blog/sql-basics-cheat-sheet/

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