I am currently a Senior DBA for AT&T whose position is being eliminated this June. I have come across some contract opportunities in my area (Northern California), where the database of choice is SQL Server 6.5/7.0. What is your opinion of training opportunities for someone like myself who has 8 years experience with SQL mainly using Oracle and a Tandem RDMS that could quickly bring me up to speed using SQL Server. Does Microsoft offer the best training or are there third party vendors offering quality training.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 1999

Answers

Mark,

I like instructor led training in the Microsoft curriculum - classes such as MS-665 Performance Tuning and Optimization of Microsoft SQL Server 6.5, MS-832 System Administration of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, MS-833 Implementing a Database Design on Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, MS-933 Accelerated Training for Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 System Administration and Implementation, MS-939 Developing Client/Server Applications for MS SQL Server 6.5, MS-1131 Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Upgrade and Migration, MS-1140 Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, and MS-1502 Data Warehousing Using Microsoft SQL Server 7.0.

I found these classes listed at http://www.aris.com/global/EDUCATION/f_microsoft.asp. On this page there are links to course descriptions. I have taken courses at Aris and have found their instruction to be of high quality. Sit in front and ask a lot of questions, particularly about how SQL Server compares with Oracle. (You will no doubt be asked this during your interviews.) Don't worry about certification. Certification is most valuable for those that do not have the experience you have. In Washington State the classes run around $400/day.

I think that to convince a client that you are ready to make the transition to SQL Server you should take 2 or 3 of these classes, particularly those with 7.0 in the title rather than 6.5.

Computer Based Training puts me to sleep, and book based training expects me to have a couple of servers and a couple of workstations just waiting around for me to install software to train myself. Consequently, the training that works for me is instructor led.

Good Luck,

Eric

-- Anonymous, April 28, 1999