Reed Me : certification

Amen, brother. Preach it, SQL-type dude!

reedme — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:30:02 GMT

My pal, Steve, over @ SQL Server Central has been riffing on the DBA-train-thyself mantra again. Bizactly!!

Too many people seem to believe that everything about their career should be paid for by their current employer... despite the fact that they usually went to school on their own nickel in the first place and probably did a ton of self-study (if they’re successful) to get where they are.

There is no excuse for you not to be able to improve your skills and career. There is no excuse | SQL Musings | SQL Server Central

Remember that you will “Fight like you train.” So, if you aren’t training... You’re unlikely to remember that T-SQL syntax for that database restore under pressure. Or those darn big O notation rules during an interview! I’m just sayin’.

Like Steve said, go learn something new every week. Didn’t somebody famous like Eleanor Roosevelt say that, too? Heh. I’ll only add that you need to train (review and practice) stuff that you already think you know, too.

This whole blog chain echoes something that I’ve told every person that I’ve ever advised or mentored:

You own your own career.

Period. Nobody else will ever be as invested in your career success (or failure) than you are. Not even your mommy.

Awww, aren’t they just so cute?!

reedme — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:19:53 GMT

Look at all of them fixin’ to jump in the pool! Heh.

Not to minimize the difficulty that they’re embarking on, what with a 20% pass rate and all, but it’s great to see more people diving into the deep end of the SQL Server pool. Let’s hope as many Certified Masters as possible emerge from the other end of this rotation!

We had 17 victims, er attendees show up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to take on the most challenging training available on the SQL Platform.
The Master Blog : Gentlemen (and Ladies) START YOUR ENGINES!!!

Good luck, folks. Study hard!!

It’s nice to be wanted!

reedme — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:43:58 GMT

Personally, I’ve always believed that “It’s the data, stupid!” when it comes to enterprise application development. I’m gratified to see that enterprises are figuring this out! It’s unfortunate that salaries seem to be slumping in all but three IT areas, but I’m glad to be part of one that’s not!

That counter-trending is what Foote called "an urgent demand for talent" in three areas: management/methodology/process, database, and messaging and communications skills. IT pay up in three areas, down elsewhere (infoworld.com)

As I’m sitting on the review board today for prospective MCA|SQL Server candidates (formerly known by the less politically correct monicker “SQL Rangers”), I see yet more validation that companies are learning more every day that the data is where the real value is. The database architects that we certify through the MCA program are top notch, all-around gurus; most of them come from previous lives with deep experience in non-Microsoft database platforms, and many of them know SQL Server better than they know themselves!

Just remember, there are lots of way to get to the data… and it doesn’t always have to be a web app!

Who is your [Certified] Master now?

reedme — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:10:42 GMT

If you weren't already confused by the Microsoft Certification tree that means that you weren't paying attention... ;-) But the new level of certification adds something that's been missing, and I'm glad to see it happen.

The new Certified Master levels are product-oriented certifications that are precursors to Microsoft Certified Architect. Foex, if you're interested in becoming a SQL Ranger, you have to become a Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008 first.

To make it less confusing, there are upcoming Live Meetings:

- July 30, 2008, at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time --- (What time is this in my region?)

- July 30, 2008, at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time --- (What time is this in my region?)

Read more details from Per on Trika's blog: More on the Certified Master programs from me, Per, the program owner...

More upcoming webcasts

reedme — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:32:44 GMT

If you're intrigued by data mining or wonder how your SQL Server certifications will be affected, these are for you:

TechNet Webcast: Mastering Time Series Prediction with SQL Server 2008 Data Mining (Level 300), Thursday, Jan. 24, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Building and Validating Advanced Mining Models with SQL Server 2008 Data Mining (Level 200), Thursday, Jan. 31, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Pacific Time

MCP Live Meeting: SQL Server 2008 and Your Microsoft Certifications (Session 1), Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time

I refrain from making any inappropriate Patriot Act or NSA jokes at this time. Heh.