Blog Archives
Do You Value Training?
Today is the first day of my SQLskills.com Immersion training, thus I prepared this blog post a few days ago.
If you have been reading my blog, then you should be able to surmise that I love learning. Being in the IT field, I am not sure how you can get by without training because of the speed at which technology changes. Luckily, my current employer also believes in and values training. When they ask me if I want to go to training, I submit three or four different classes. Of course, they do not all get approved, but all they can do is say no. Thus, it is worth the effort on my part and it demonstrates my committment to my career.
Do you value training? Are you taking advantage of the training opportunities provided by your employer?
If the budget is tight, there is no reason why you cannot attend many of the free webinars, code camps, SQL Saturdays, and especially local users groups. If you are not advancing your skills, then maybe technology is not the right field for you. So sign up for training. Go! Do it now!
Enjoy!
Zest for Learning
In today’s competitive marketplace, we must have a zest for learning to remain relevant and marketable. While I am excited about the release of SQL Server 2012, its launch means that my 2008 MCTS has just become a little less marketable. The certification itself does not expire but it’s usefulness is definitely dated. I know many other DBAs have been testing and learning Denali for some time now. Time to pick up the slack.
Since my agency is in the process of implementing 2008R2 boxes replacing our 2005 boxes, we are in the forefront of available technology today. However, in a few months we will once again be one version behind. I can live with that, but my learning must continue. I have been planning on setting up a 2012 lab where I can be ready for the day that we migrate these new boxes.
The reality is that we must keep learning, we must keep moving, and we must remain relevant. Keep up the good work and enjoy!
MCITP: The Long Road Ahead…Step Two
As you may already know from my blog, I have started down the path moving towards my MCITP for SQL Server 2008. Now I have some logistical quandaries and maybe some of my #SQLFamily can provide some insight or opinions.
The first item I was looking at, was which class to take. Obviously, there is a Global Knowledgeboot camp entitled: MCITP: Database Administrator, SQL Server 2008 Boot Camp. This class covers the 70-432 and 70-450 Microsoft exams needed to obtain the MCITP. I have alreadypassed the 70-432, but they are rolled into one course which is fine by me because you can never receive too much SQL knowledge. Other than that course, I have not really seen any other MCITP specific courses in my area. However, someone had mentioned to me that taking one or more of the SQLskills immersion courses would be great in this case. I asked this question a couple of times on twitter yesterday and did not receive any response. Any ideas?
Next up….test prep. I have never really been a big proponent of the test prep software. I have always bought books and taken classes and studied that material. Is that a good idea with the MCITP or does this particular exam need test preparation software?
Finally, are there any MCITP books that are better at preparing you for this exam? I have heard that the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Unleashed books are excellent sources for study information. Amazon has a book specifically for the MCITP, called Real World Skill for MCITP Certification and Beyond. Anyone used it?
This journey is starting to come together, I just need a few more tools. Enjoy!
MCITP: Moving Forward!
Yesterday I attended a Brent Ozar PLF webinar with Kendra Little (blog : twitter). The webinar, Anatomy of the SQL Server Database: Settings and Secrets, was great, as per usual. What transpired at the end of the training was magical. As you know, if you have been reading my blog, I have been contemplating moving forward to pursuing my MCITP for SQL Server 2008. Kendra made an announcement that Brandon Leach (twitter) was forming an MCITP study group of like-minded professionals to get together online and help each other out. Hey that is exactly what I have been looking for! My #SQLFamily is really an amazing group of people, and I wish I had discovered them years ago while banging my head against the wall upgrading SQL 6.5 to 7 and then on to 2000. At the time, I was an accidental DBA. Those days have long passed, thanks to my MCTS. MCITP: Here I Come!
Enjoy!
MCITP…Should I do it?
I have been contemplating my next move for SQL certification. Last spring, I earned my MCTS for SQL Server 2008 Implementaion and Maintenance passing the 70-432 exam after a couple of months of preparation and a TechSherpas course. The next logical step is the 70-450 which is Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution using Microsoft SQL Server 2008. The title alone is impressive. I think with this budget year I will have the opportunity to take a bootcamp for this certification.
Should I wait before pursuing this level? Is it recommended to have more experience before taking this exam? What do you think?
SQL Swampland 