Which cert to take first for database work?

[Nosferat]

Hi

I want to make myself more employable in the database developer arena. I know about logical design and the SQL language, but lack practical experience with a specific product. To that extent I’m thinking of going for the SQL Server 2008-Database Development cert or Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation Application Development cert.

I’ve got some VB .NET 2003 Experience but no experience with SQL server. Do you think these certs will help me out? If yes which do you think I should go for first?

 

[mrdenny]

If you are looking for a database developer position then experience with a database will be way more important than have either certification.

If you aren't able to write T/SQL scripts then I can guarantee you that you won't get very far through the interview process.

Once you have some T/SQL experience the SQL Server 2008 Database Development certifications will be more useful for a database developer role than a WPF certification as a database developer doesn't touch WPF.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2008 Implementation and Maintenance / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Admin (SQL 2005/2008) / Database Dev (SQL 2005)

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[Nosferat]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I didn’t make myself clear in the last post.

When I have spoken to various companies about database development they what someone who can: write SQL scripts as you mentioned (i.e. physically create the tables etc) but also someone who can write front end applications that interact with the database (i.e. through code like VB).So am I correct in thinking, that your saying, you have the database developer and then the front end programmer as two separate entities? If that’s the case, then, from your experience how do people deal with the front end of the database (the user interaction part) is VB popular for this use?

I also know that experience is better than certification, the only problem is getting a company to take you on, so you can get experience in the first place. That’s why I am opting for product certification, to get a chance to get in there at the bottom of the ladder.

Sorry for the essay dude.

 

[tcsbiz]

Whether there are separate people doing the backend database work and the front-end user interface work depends on the organization.

I serve both roles. Larger organizations will have the roles separated and segregated. In my mind, a databse developer is one who writes stored procedures and writes the front end interfaces. The DBA role has the role of designing the databases, installing servers, maintaining patches, creating databases, defining security, etc.

If you're interested in programming/coding, I would go for the Visual Studio-based certifications firts, then pick up SQL Server certifications afterwards.

 

[Nosferat]

I will probably go for the Visual studio certs first. I enjoy both programming and database work so I guess its a bit of a toss up between the two. I think though, that having a programming cert, might help me more in the short term.

Thanks for your time.

 

[mrdenny]

If the position has the title of database developer then I would expect that it would be a T/SQL programming position with no .NET, VB, etc coding required.

Smaller shops will usually have the database developer and the application developer as the same person. Larger shops will have those positions seperate.

For the front end C# is king, but there are lots of people using VB.NET.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2008 Implementation and Maintenance / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Admin (SQL 2005/2008) / Database Dev (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[MDXer]

I think DBA for the most part is a misleading Title as a DBAs role can be very different depending on the company.My experience with large companies is that they typically will have an Architect to design the database, or developers will design the databases. The DBAs are responisble for making sure the databases are available and deploying changes to production systems. Since some DBAs have been developers at somepoint they can do both. My Experience with smaller companies is that the most experienced guy or the person with the longest tenure gets the DBA hat as they seem to be more experienced.