Will you get benefits from the newest easy to get SQL server professional accreditation?
In my opinion the very best DB platforms are Microsoft and Oracle. I have come to find that MySQL is widely used in start-up companies and DB folks who know this platform will make higher salaries, but I honestly rarely ever encountered MySQL in job searches.
One reason I prefer MS SQL Server is because it also includes the SSRS BI platform that is powerful and popular. DB people who know SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) have become very sought-after candidates in many companies. Generally, companies end up having to buy licenses for third-party BI (Business Intelligence) applications which often can cost a lot of extra money.
With SQL Server, BI and ETL (extract, transform, load) tools come with the first license. I know that maybe the interest in databases is primarily to understand DB construction, however , you can’t predict when or if you choose to branch out and get more information.
The advantage of SQL could be that the language itself is fairly universal. I say fairly because each vendor has added their own functions and syntax. Microsoft and Sybase both use T-SQL, Oracle uses PL/SQL and MySQL uses ANSI-SQL. Ultimately that which you learn on one platform can be used on other platforms.
Becoming a SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) is a small task now. Lower than 1 percent of certified professionals hold a Master certification, and for good reason: In addition to having difficult minimum competencies (Five years SQL Server experience and deep knowledge in all aspects of SQL Server), practicing a SQL Server MCM has always come at a significant cost. In fact, that cost has been about $18,500, when you accumulate the necessary three week training and four exams.
The SQL Server MCM certification is the highest technical certification that Microsoft offers to SQL Server professionals. It’s suitable for those that have five years of hands-on SQL Server experience in critical environments. Competencies include designing and implementing high-performance, scalable enterprise environments and troubleshooting the most challenging SQL Server issues.
Well, at PASS (The Professional Association for SQL Server) this week, Microsoft announced all that is beginning to change. According to the company, the changes are in response to requests from experienced SQL Server professionals who want to earn MCM’s but (go figure) don’t have $18,500.
Now, candidates can earn the certification by passing just two exams: the four-hour Knowledge Exam, along with a six-hour hands-on Lab Exam, that is obtainable in early 2011.
Fortunately, Microsoft has made some significant changes for the program, including:
- The 3-week in-person training has stopped being required. So, if you feel like you have what it takes, it is possible to march right up and consider the certification exams. You pay the expense of the exams, which can be about $2,500.
- Nowadays there are only two exams rather than four: 88-970 (Knowledge Exam) and 88-971 (Lab Exam).
- To aid SQL Server professionals prepare for the exams at a lower cost, Microsoft now offers some free MCM videos.
So you? Do you consider the brand new MS SQL Certification can help you in your job?
About the author: Michele P. Rouse is writing for the sql certification training blog, her personal and non-commercial in nature hobby blog aimed at recommendations to offer free info for data base beginners/professionals to help them find a new profession.