2008 SQL DBA/dev/support - what next?
Discussion
Hi been involved in SQL app/support/reporting/dev in some shape for 15 years, recently with sql 2008 MS stack (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS) and a bit of sql 2012/16. Also did 2 years with current company as infrastructure/DBA with hyper v, clusters,SANS, email, AV etc
I posted here a while ago, long story short i was stiffed on my bonus. I decided to suck it up but still dont feel appreciated and stressed as the buck always lands on my desk being here 8 years. My career isnt moving with the times either being stuck with sql 2008 so with the blessing of mrs chops decided its time to move and handed my notice, finishing mid july. Money isnt an immediate issue so plan is spend some time with kids over the sumer holidays and do some training to get certification
Azure, big data, AI, BI - its all seems big and unknown at the moment esp as its a considerable amount of time and £££ will need to be committed. The question is where would you focus given my history v future growth technology/salary? Im 47, midland based, happy perm or contract as kids older now
I posted here a while ago, long story short i was stiffed on my bonus. I decided to suck it up but still dont feel appreciated and stressed as the buck always lands on my desk being here 8 years. My career isnt moving with the times either being stuck with sql 2008 so with the blessing of mrs chops decided its time to move and handed my notice, finishing mid july. Money isnt an immediate issue so plan is spend some time with kids over the sumer holidays and do some training to get certification
Azure, big data, AI, BI - its all seems big and unknown at the moment esp as its a considerable amount of time and £££ will need to be committed. The question is where would you focus given my history v future growth technology/salary? Im 47, midland based, happy perm or contract as kids older now
cheers - the issue with azure that confronts me as a beginner is understanding it or knowing where to go is its size:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/
A rough count is approx 600+ services!! eek: eek:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/
A rough count is approx 600+ services!! eek: eek:
Your background is databases right? So I think I'd start here: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/sql-ser...
Add in PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Then probably a bit of ML: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/machine...
But. I'm just a consultant. Which means I'm full of bright ideas but don't really know anything.
You should probably look at job specs for the jobs you'd want. And see what bits they are asking for.
Add in PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Then probably a bit of ML: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/machine...
But. I'm just a consultant. Which means I'm full of bright ideas but don't really know anything.
You should probably look at job specs for the jobs you'd want. And see what bits they are asking for.
I've never used Azure, however I've been utilising AWS for a few years now... So I would recommend training involving either providers' DB offerings (e.g. writing Infrastructure as Code to build these databases with Terraform or CloudFormation) to go into a Site Reliability/Platform/DevOps Engineer role.
If that's not what you're into, maybe look into passing some Solution Architect level examinations with AWS/Azure - Be sure to actually write some code though, all well and good passing the exams but with no hands-on experience it isn't worth much in the eyes of most employers.
If that's not what you're into, maybe look into passing some Solution Architect level examinations with AWS/Azure - Be sure to actually write some code though, all well and good passing the exams but with no hands-on experience it isn't worth much in the eyes of most employers.
Munter said:
Your background is databases right? So I think I'd start here: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/sql-ser...
Add in PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Then probably a bit of ML: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/machine...
But. I'm just a consultant. Which means I'm full of bright ideas but don't really know anything.
You should probably look at job specs for the jobs you'd want. And see what bits they are asking for.
^^^ what he said.Add in PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Then probably a bit of ML: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/machine...
But. I'm just a consultant. Which means I'm full of bright ideas but don't really know anything.
You should probably look at job specs for the jobs you'd want. And see what bits they are asking for.
AWS and Azure are only going to increase in the coming years and skills are scarce, commanding a premium and so scarce that many are looking for an understanding and some demonstrable experience rather than mandating certifications.
I'm in a similar situation to the OP - Network Manager, although successfully interviewed for a new role as 'ICT Manager' several months ago, which means I now oversee multiple networks/technicians. The trouble is, I'm finding myself doing 1st/2nd/3rd line support, as well as all the strategic/managerial stuff too. It's intense. As such, I'm looking to potentially move on, take a few months out and then find something else. AWS and Azure have been on my radar for awhile.
I need to look into this further myself (when I have some free time!), but can anyone recommend a couple of choices in either AWS or Azure that would suit my skill set? Probably not SQL related, as OP. I've only dabbled a bit with SQL databases.
Also, any good websites/guides/online training to see if I'd like to take this idea further and turn it into my next career step?
I need to look into this further myself (when I have some free time!), but can anyone recommend a couple of choices in either AWS or Azure that would suit my skill set? Probably not SQL related, as OP. I've only dabbled a bit with SQL databases.
Also, any good websites/guides/online training to see if I'd like to take this idea further and turn it into my next career step?
Have you considered contracting? There is plenty contract work as a SQL Server DBA, at least in Glasgow there is anyway and I assume much of the rest of the UK going on how often I'm approached. Thats assuming you want to stay on the DBA track ay rates are good an are from approx £350 a day+. A coupe of friends are on over £500 per day.
The other option is joining a good technology based company, where I work we have evolved our data platforms continuosly for many years so whilst I started everything was predominantly SQL server or Oracle we have data all over the place now. Yes its difficult to manage but it means we tend to use the best technology for the use case.
The Whole AI\ML thing is a steep learning curve if you only have a DEV \ DBA back ground with SQL. Far too many think because they can write fairly advanced SQL they can do AI or ML which simply isn't true, your going to need good python \ java skills as well for that and be very good at statistical analysis, designing ML models etc.
On the other hand there is loads of fields you can get into with transferable skills from a DBA type back ground, my title at work is as a DBA but these days I do much of everything.
Administration and development on multiple relational DBMS including SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Redshift some hosted in Azure, some In AWS, some in GCP and some in our own DC's. Then you have the headaches associated with running anything in the cloud so you need to understand IAM, VPC's, Subnetting, ACL's, routing etc.
Then you have the automation side of things with infrastructure as code so the likes of spinning up SQL cluster on AWS EC2, attaching the relevant storage in the form of EBS volumes, having it configured out the box and that requires skills in cloud formation or similar. Interesting work and goes hand in hand with Site Reliability engineering.
We also work with the serverless stuff like AWS Athena and GCP Big Query for working with structured and unstructured data from the likes of JSON, CSV, parquet files etc, their pretty good tools making writing SQL against data you would usually never have been able to query with ETL pipelines.
I would say cloud skills are essential, you don't need to go down the route I have which means I'm basically a DBA \ SRE \ DevOps person all rolled into one but it also means I'm versatile and can work on many tech's and projects although the majority of my experience is a DBA (coming up 20 years).
The other option is joining a good technology based company, where I work we have evolved our data platforms continuosly for many years so whilst I started everything was predominantly SQL server or Oracle we have data all over the place now. Yes its difficult to manage but it means we tend to use the best technology for the use case.
The Whole AI\ML thing is a steep learning curve if you only have a DEV \ DBA back ground with SQL. Far too many think because they can write fairly advanced SQL they can do AI or ML which simply isn't true, your going to need good python \ java skills as well for that and be very good at statistical analysis, designing ML models etc.
On the other hand there is loads of fields you can get into with transferable skills from a DBA type back ground, my title at work is as a DBA but these days I do much of everything.
Administration and development on multiple relational DBMS including SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Redshift some hosted in Azure, some In AWS, some in GCP and some in our own DC's. Then you have the headaches associated with running anything in the cloud so you need to understand IAM, VPC's, Subnetting, ACL's, routing etc.
Then you have the automation side of things with infrastructure as code so the likes of spinning up SQL cluster on AWS EC2, attaching the relevant storage in the form of EBS volumes, having it configured out the box and that requires skills in cloud formation or similar. Interesting work and goes hand in hand with Site Reliability engineering.
We also work with the serverless stuff like AWS Athena and GCP Big Query for working with structured and unstructured data from the likes of JSON, CSV, parquet files etc, their pretty good tools making writing SQL against data you would usually never have been able to query with ETL pipelines.
I would say cloud skills are essential, you don't need to go down the route I have which means I'm basically a DBA \ SRE \ DevOps person all rolled into one but it also means I'm versatile and can work on many tech's and projects although the majority of my experience is a DBA (coming up 20 years).
Ikemi said:
I'm in a similar situation to the OP - Network Manager, although successfully interviewed for a new role as 'ICT Manager' several months ago, which means I now oversee multiple networks/technicians. The trouble is, I'm finding myself doing 1st/2nd/3rd line support, as well as all the strategic/managerial stuff too. It's intense. As such, I'm looking to potentially move on, take a few months out and then find something else. AWS and Azure have been on my radar for awhile.
I need to look into this further myself (when I have some free time!), but can anyone recommend a couple of choices in either AWS or Azure that would suit my skill set? Probably not SQL related, as OP. I've only dabbled a bit with SQL databases.
Also, any good websites/guides/online training to see if I'd like to take this idea further and turn it into my next career step?
If your looking to get started learning with any of the big 3 cloud providers and train up with someone teaching you from the basis to advanced I highly recommend the A Cloud Guru site, you can even get a 7 day free trial to see if you like it.I need to look into this further myself (when I have some free time!), but can anyone recommend a couple of choices in either AWS or Azure that would suit my skill set? Probably not SQL related, as OP. I've only dabbled a bit with SQL databases.
Also, any good websites/guides/online training to see if I'd like to take this idea further and turn it into my next career step?
I used it to train up on Azure, GCP and AWS and gained certs in all 3, whilst certs don't necessarily mean you can use the services to their full potential it gives you a place to start.
OP
Lets be clear on this. You talk only about SQL 2008.
This is totally different from 2016 / 2017 and 2019
You need to be familiar with these before moving from "on premises" to cloud whether that be Azure SQL Databases or AWS.
I would also add into the mix the following:
SSIS
SSRS
SSAS
Visual Studio 2017
Availability Groups and Windows Clusters
Iaas
Paas
To do all this drop the following:
Maintenance Plans
Log Shipping
Replication (all 3)
Database Mirroring
The people you need to be looking at are:
Brent Ozar
David Klee
Paul Randall
Glenn Berry
Kimberley Tripp
Get signed up to Pluralsight and start coming up to speed.
Lets be clear on this. You talk only about SQL 2008.
This is totally different from 2016 / 2017 and 2019
You need to be familiar with these before moving from "on premises" to cloud whether that be Azure SQL Databases or AWS.
I would also add into the mix the following:
SSIS
SSRS
SSAS
Visual Studio 2017
Availability Groups and Windows Clusters
Iaas
Paas
To do all this drop the following:
Maintenance Plans
Log Shipping
Replication (all 3)
Database Mirroring
The people you need to be looking at are:
Brent Ozar
David Klee
Paul Randall
Glenn Berry
Kimberley Tripp
Get signed up to Pluralsight and start coming up to speed.
Greenmantle has it right, so many declare themselves a SQL DBA yet can do a backup, a restore and check the logs, if you go somewhere else as a contractor and get told to set up a cluster with a mirror for DR and reporting, if you havent done it before you may struggle and as a contractor/senior DBA you cant get away with that.
Azure is one thing but I think you need to fully understand the on prem product, I think a lot of places talk cloud but not as many do it, there is still a lot of old crap out there, I had to shrink a 218 GB trans log on a very, very old version of SQL today.
Do a couple of hours each day over the summer, like you say perhaps do the MCSA as thought certs arent the be all and end all, they do make you learn stuff you may otherwise never use and some people are impressed, I have done the first one, going to start on the second after the summer, they are harder than I expected, I passed but not by much, despite hammering the revision.
Have a good toolkit of scripts, look into getting SC cleared, not sure if you can without a company sponsor but worth checking.
Learn a bit of MySQL and other DB's, know about agile as people seem to like talking about it.
Apologies if you already do some of that but if you dont, look into it.
Azure is one thing but I think you need to fully understand the on prem product, I think a lot of places talk cloud but not as many do it, there is still a lot of old crap out there, I had to shrink a 218 GB trans log on a very, very old version of SQL today.
Do a couple of hours each day over the summer, like you say perhaps do the MCSA as thought certs arent the be all and end all, they do make you learn stuff you may otherwise never use and some people are impressed, I have done the first one, going to start on the second after the summer, they are harder than I expected, I passed but not by much, despite hammering the revision.
Have a good toolkit of scripts, look into getting SC cleared, not sure if you can without a company sponsor but worth checking.
Learn a bit of MySQL and other DB's, know about agile as people seem to like talking about it.
Apologies if you already do some of that but if you dont, look into it.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff