Have you ever wondered how your Instagram photos, YouTube videos, and Facebook posts are organised in the back-end? Is there a coffee-boosted, overworked human being managing this content? Everything you see is stored in large, distributed, relational databases.
SQL or Structured Query Language is the programming language used to communicate, modify, and manage these critical databases. Engineers who know this language are considered Sureshot superstars of the IT world!
According to ZipRecruiter, there are more than 70,000 unfulfilled positions for SQL developers in India, making it one of the most valued skills in the IT industry. Based on 363 salaries submitted by SQL Server Developers on Ambition Box, the average yearly income ranges from 4.6 Lakhs to 10.7 Lakhs. This makes SQL one of the most rewarding skills.
Do you want to start your software engineering journey but are unsure where to begin? Click here.
5 SQL Certification Courses That Can Help You Advance in Your IT Career
As a candidate looking for your first job, you want to stand out from the crowd of applicants. To do so, you may demonstrate your SQL proficiency on your CV through many available certifications, the majority of which are vendor or platform-specific. You may choose which certification to obtain by understanding the database technology that your sector of interest requires.
The certifications listed below demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of SQL in five widely used relational database management systems.
1. DP-900 Azure Data Fundamentals (Microsoft)
Cost: $99 (â‚ą3,696)
Requirements: No Pre-Requisites
Examination: 40-60 questions within one hour
Azure Data Fundamentals is an entry-level certification for proving your foundational knowledge of the core database concepts such as relational, non-relational, big data, and analytics. This is a great first step to becoming a proven Azure Data Administrator with medium and high-level certifications such as Azure Database Administrator Associate, Azure Data Engineer Associate, Data Analyst Associate, or Azure Developer Associate.
For learning, this course provides free, online preparation or paid instructor-led options. The online method contains four learning paths with nine modules covering all you need to become a certified Azure Data Fundamentalist.
You can download the free study guide here and go through some sample questions here.
2. MongoDB Database Administrator
Cost: $150 (â‚ą11,878)
Requirements: No Pre-Requisites
Examination: 60 multiple-choice questions within 90 minutes
MongoDB is among the most popular choices for teams needing a NoSQL or non-relational database. It offers a free, open-source, paid, licensed version with more features.
While MongoDB is not the most commonly used database, it is often deployed in various environments and settings such as android, iOS, or cloud, due to secondary and geospatial indexing. Thus developers can scale their applications seamlessly.
Hence, the MongoDB DBA certification is a great asset if you want to become an overall NoSQL guru. You can read more about this certification, exam, and its policies here.
3. Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate
Cost: $245 (â‚ą19,005)
Requirements: Basic working knowledge of computer hardware
Examination: 78 questions within 100 minutes
Oracle is a global leader in database management. Fortune 500 companies around the world use their products. This certification puts you in a great place to find employment opportunities in Oracle and all global MNCs that use Oracle databases. According to Oracle, 80% of Oracle-certified individuals reported a promotion, salary hike, or career improvements.
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Earning this particular certification indicates a thorough understanding of SQL and how to apply it while dealing with the Oracle Database server. A certified Oracle DB SQL Associate knows how to use SQL commands for insert, update, and delete, as well as Data Definition Language and Data Control Language, the optimiser, tables and indexes, data modelling, and normalisation.
You can read more about this certification here, and the 16+ hours of learning content here.
4. EnterpriseDB’s PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification
Cost: $250 (â‚ą19,800)
Requirements: No Pre-Requisites
Examination: Multiple-choice questions within one hour
PostgreSQL (also known as Postgres) is a famous free and open-source relational database management system. It focuses on extensibility and SQL compliance and has been used for development for three decades!
The PostgreSQL community provides many helpful places to become familiar with the technology, discover how it works, and find career opportunities. You can engage with the community here.
Since PostgreSQL is an open-source initiative, they do not offer any certifications directly. However, learners can undergo an industry-recognized certification program from a third-party – EnterpriseDB (also known as EDB).
Earning this certification means you know how to set up, maintain, and operate EDB Postgres Advanced Server databases and applications in a production environment. On successful attempts, EDB provides a personalized PDF certification and a digital badge that can be showcased everywhere from your Résumé to your LinkedIn profile.
Nervous about your upcoming SQL interview? Click here to go through some important scenario-based SQL questions.
5. MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification (Oracle Certified Professional)
Cost: $245 (â‚ą19,005)
Requirements: No
Examination:Â 75 Multiple-choice questions within 120 minutes
MySQL is a free, open-source relational database management system that enjoys a dominant 44% relative market share in relational database management tools as per databasejournal. It’s so popular because of its versatility and customizability. It is used on websites such as WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
This certification attests to the candidate’s proficiency in installing and configuring MySQL databases as well as the understanding of the MySQL architecture. It also proves their proficiency in managing users, monitoring MySQL, and implementing MySQL security. Additionally, it exhibits their command of how to keep a system stable, enhance query performance, configure backup and recovery plans, and set up a replication topology.
You can read more about the exam here and purchase it from here.
These five certifications cover almost all types of databases and technologies out there for a beginner. Earning any or all of these is almost guaranteed to make you stand out from the vast crowd of Database Administrators vying for that top job!
If you are a beginner, CodeQuotient offers a remarkable full-stack learning course known as the SuperCoders program. This is a three-month commitment for serious learners who will have hands-on practice and project-based learning directly from accomplished professionals in the industry across various disciplines, including SQL.
