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Should I Learn SQL?

What is SQL? Does it fit the kind of career path that I am aiming for? I needed to figure this out, so I decided to blog about it.

What is SQL? Should I Learn It?

My prediction is that my conclusion will be, "yes."

What is SQL?

SQL Wordcloud. SQL, database, data, query oracle, ISO/IEC, language are all notable words in the cloud.
Does making this wordcloud count as exploratory data visualization?

SQL stands for "Structured Query Language" and is a language used to get information from databases (thanks for breaking it down for me Encyclopaedia Britannica). You send a command to the database and records are returned that match your command. You can also use it to update a database. Because my goal is to work in quantitative marketing research, this does seem like it could be useful.

So, Should I, Gabby Giannuzzi, Learn SQL?

Should I learn SQL? This depicts the reader staring expectantly at their screen, waiting for the answer (jokeing of course).
Deciding to learn SQL or not is tough because I'm working and in the MSU Master's of Science in Marketing Research program at the same time.

It appears that the answer is yes! According to PayScale, if you want to be a Data Analyst, gathering data through surveys and then interpreting, and, eventually, presenting it, then it is important to be knowledgeable in SQL. I guess I better get crackin'! Say, how should I go about learning SQL?

How to Learn SQL.

Code on a computer screen that could very well be SQL.
Coding on a computer screen that could very well be SQL for all I know right now, before taking a course!

I've made a little list of free resources to learn SQL.

  • W3 Schools offers free study materials and then a $95 certification exam (for SQL and many other programming languages)
  • SQL Course is another online source to learn the basics of SQL
  • Code Academy- I like this one because it is interactive.
  • Khan Academy - I haven't used it yet, but this looks like it goes really in depth.



Connect with me on LinkedIn!

Comments

  1. You totally should! Sql has been a major player in data analysis and other careers for a hot minute!

    ReplyDelete

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