If its the Developer area of databases which is attractive to you, the MCITP DB Developer from MS is for you. Whilst not truly extending into Database programming, this teaches more of the initial rationale and set up of Databases. You might want to review the Programming part of the site if you're interested in that side of databases. All in all, there is a far greater focus with both students & employers on the administration of databases. Then again if you would like to be a Developer, our suggestion would be to plan the DB Developer certification in to a more complete bundle of programming training. It may also become more useful to you in a few years time to do an additional MCTS in the SQL Server '08 edition.

People attracted to this sort of work can be very practical by nature, and don't always take well to classrooms, and slogging through piles of books. If this could be you, go for more modern interactive training, where you can learn everything on-screen. Learning psychology studies show that long term memory is improved when all our senses are involved, and we put into practice what we've been studying.

Top of the range study programs now offer self-contained CD or DVD materials. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you'll absorb the modules, one by one, by way of the demonstrations and explanations. Knowledge can then be tested by using practice-lab's. It's very important to see some example materials from each company you're contemplating. It's essential they incorporate full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.

You should avoid purely online training. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where available, so that you have access at all times - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

Consequently, if 'databases' are so common and such a major part of life today, what kind of jobs exist? When we take the careers of of I.T. experts, there are two key database sectors - The former entails the creation & building of the actual software that 'databases' run on, & the second consists of the administration work needed to utilise the information saved on them. Database-Administrators are often known as 'DBA's', & this role is the one generally in most demand. Medium to large corporations must have DBA's in order to supervise the every day operations of the Databases they're running. They'll deal with the operations which have an impact on the information, such as security and backing-up, & work with senior management to deliver reports - to ensure the organisation can take advantage of that intelligence to function better. They need to have gained a professional understanding of 'SQL' - the most commonly used Database 'language'. Interrogating databases to draw out facts is standardised with 'SQL' (Structured Query Language).

Many trainers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. Because of the huge skills shortage in the UK today, there isn't a great need to get too caught up in this feature though. It's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure your first job as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.

You would ideally have help with your CV and interview techniques though; also we would encourage everybody to bring their CV up to date as soon as they start a course - don't wait until you've graduated or passed any exams. A good number of junior support roles have been offered to people who are in the process of training and haven't even passed a single exam yet. This will at the very least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. You'll normally experience quicker results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than you will through a training provider's centralised service, as they'll know the area better.

Do ensure you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, then call a halt and leave it in the hands of the gods to secure your first position. Stand up for yourself and make your own enquiries. Put as much time and energy into finding your first job as it took to get qualified.

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