Is SQL enough for a career?

Publish Date: Jun 15 '20

2 8

I only know and work with T-SQL, is it possible to make a career with just SQL database knowledge? Or do I need to expand my skillset to survive as a dev?

Comments 8 total

Daniel VolquardsenJun 15, 2020
No, you defenitly need to expand your skillset
- JackJun 15, 2020
  Thank you for your answer
Hans-Petter EitvetJun 15, 2020
I agree with Daniel.
SQL as the only skills, will limit the jobs you can get.
But if database is your thing and no other language is interesting, look into topics like database design, indexing, query optimization, performance. Be the best in that field and that will make a great career.
The world still runs on data and really good database people are rare.
- JackJun 15, 2020
  Okay cool, thank you, what can database people do other than data science ?
  - Helen AndersonJun 19, 2020
    Data Science isn't the only career option.
    
    You can move into Business Intelligence, Data Engineering, Data Analysis and Reporting, Data Warehousing and Architecture, Database Migration to the Cloud, and leading projects that build Data Models.
    - JackJun 19, 2020
      Okay great, thank you very much that would all require more than SQL I imagine ?
      - Helen AndersonJun 20, 2020
        I'm not sure if you're referring to technical skills and knowledge, or soft skills so I'll cover both.
        
        Every job requires soft skills, it's not enough to only crunch SQL code all day. For all the jobs I've listed you will need:
        
        Time management and organisational skills
        
        Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
        
        Excellent verbal and written communication, including business process documentation and standards writing
        
        Able to quickly comprehend, analyse, define and describe complex business requirements
        
        As far as technical skills you may need to upskill in these areas:
        
        Reporting tools for Analysts/BI:
        
        SSRS or
        
        PowerBI or
        
        Tableau or
        
        MicroStrategy or
        
        Qlik Sense
        
        Integration and ETL tools for Data Warehousing/Engineering:
        
        SSIS or
        
        DBT or
        
        Airflow
        
        Database modelling and design skills for Data Warehousing and Architecture
        
        Performance monitoring and tuning for Database Administration
        
        Knowledge of High Availability solutions, such as Mirroring, Replication, Clustering, & Always On (Availability Groups)
        
        Understanding of database security users and roles
        
        Basic performance monitoring and analysis of SQL queries
        
        Patching and upgrades Development knowledge of APIs, Python is becoming more desirable for more technical Data Engineering roles but isn't essential for every company.
        
        JackJun 20, 2020
        This is so great, thank you!

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Jack @webbswideworld

Is SQL enough for a career?

Comments 8 total