The main Database solutions used worldwide are Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle. The more mature system Oracle can still be found in quite a few large enterprises. However, the majority of company Databases and more or less all databases on the net have adopted the SQL-Server system. Because MS own their SQL-Server technology, it has been easily incorporated into all their platforms and programming languages, making it an easy preference for anyone aiming to acquire certification & commercial recognition. Accreditations have now been updated, & the 'MCDBA' (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) has now been superceded by the 'MCITP' (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) & the 'MCTS' ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist'). SQL Server 08 is gaining some momentum, but it really isn't widely used in the commercial arena yet. For that reason, the MCITP DBA certification includes the more commonly used SQL-Server 2005. In accordance with a number of MS's other qualifications, a variety of 'MCTS' modules come before the final 'MCITP'.

Any advisor who doesn't ask many questions - chances are they're just trying to sell you something. If they wade straight in with a specific product before getting to know your background and experience, then it's definitely the case. An important point to note is that, if you've got any accreditation or direct-experience, then you will often be able to begin at a different level to someone who is new to the field. Consider starting with a user-skills course first. This can set the scene for your on-going studies and make the slope up to the higher-levels a much easier going.

It would be sensible if you're just starting out get going on your career path with training in software support. You'll get some lower-level certifications to start your career, & find out about connected areas within the IT industry while doing so. The MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) is normally appropriate in these circumstances. If you accompany this qualification with the MCTS & the MCITP, you will have a whole career-track that will normally take around 500 hrs to complete. Don't become pressurised to make the right choices on the best career track on your own though. Take guidance from an industry advisor to feel confident that you're getting into the correct training program to suit you, in terms of learning style & career choice. Begin by bearing the result in mind; failure to stick to this one simple principle has cost 1000s of students a great deal of cash & lost time.

Only consider study courses that'll lead to industry accepted accreditations. There are way too many small colleges proposing minor 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on when it comes to finding a job. From the viewpoint of an employer, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (for example) really carry any commercial clout. Nothing else hits the mark.

If you're interested in the development aspect, then Microsoft supply the MCITP DB Developer program. This particular qualification teaches the correct way to set Databases up - rationalisation, design and so forth, but it won't go into detail on the way to create programs for databases. To get more detailed information on training in database programming, you might want to consult the programming part of this website. All in all, there's a much bigger emphasis with both students and employers for the administration of Databases. For anyone who is interested in the DB Developer route, it would make much more sense to take that qualification in a full programming career track. It will also come to be more useful to you in the years to come to take an extra 'MCTS' in the SQL-Server '08 edition.

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