SQL Certificates Austin, TX

Structured Query Language, or SQL, is a popular programming language for storing and managing data in a relational database. SQL usage is so widespread that relational databases, which store information in rows and columns, are also typically called SQL databases. Non-relational databases, on the other hand, store data in pairs, documents, graphs, or other methods.

If you think you want to learn SQL for a career path, you should narrow your choices first. Nearly every industry and sector requires countless tech professionals with SQL proficiency—from Database Developers to Cybersecurity Analysts. Read on to learn more about this essential language and its many applications.

Why Become Certified in SQL?

Certification credentials are an increasingly common way many tech pros build up resumes to stand out among other candidates in a competitive job market. While you might not need a certification for an entry-level role, these badges of expertise are valuable additions to your knowledge and experience in the eyes of recruiters or hiring managers.

SQL certification can be worth pursuing, depending on your current skill set, the job you plan to get, or even your industry or sector. If you plan to work with relational databases like Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, or PostgreSQL, you might need a certification credential. However, if SQL is one of many skills you need for a Financial Analyst or Data Scientist position, you might get all the SQL training required through a bootcamp or certificate program. Research the career track you plan to pursue before you commit to an intensive certification path.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming SQL Certified

The essential tools and skills you need to learn alongside SQL depend on your career path, current skill set, and even the industry where you use them. Tech pros who use SQL include data-centered positions in BFSI (Business, Financial Services, and Insurance), data science, quality assurance, and software development.

SQL use is so widespread today that many professionals in differing fields use it. Consider another essential programming language like Python. While Data Scientists and Data Analysts often learn SQL with Python, so do Python Developers, Software Engineers, and Business Intelligence (BI) Analysts. The following list includes tools you might need for one or the other between the broad categories of data science or analysis and business intelligence.

Python

If you’re going to learn SQL, chances are better than average that you will also need Python skills. Often topping the list of the world’s most popular programming languages, Python is an object-oriented language or OOP. That means it organizes data around data (objects) rather than logic (functions).

How much Python expertise you need depends on multiple factors, including your industry, sector, and even specific job functions. Software Engineers, Machine Learning (ML) Engineers, and Data Scientists all learn Python, and of course, any role like Python Developer or Python Programmer requires advanced expertise. Whether you plan to work in data science or business intelligence, consider Python a likely essential.

JavaScript

JavaScript is another popular tool you might need to learn while you master SQL. Sometimes topping even Python and HTML and CSS among the most-used programming languages, JavaScript is essential for many Web Developers, Security Engineers, and UX Designers, to name a few. You might learn JavaScript in a separate class or as part of a broader development or programming curriculum.

However, not all development or data roles require JavaScript. Data Scientists, Python Developers, and other careers may require coding skills, although Python, C++, or another programming language will often do the job. But you might need Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, and other tools, especially if you want to be a Full-Stack Developer.

Django

Another essential tool for many SQL users is a Python framework called Django. Programmers, Python Developers, and Software Engineers use Django because of its scalability, security, and dependability. You can even find job titles like Django Web Developer, Django/Python Engineer, and Full Stack Python/Django Developer, to name a few. Household name companies reportedly using Django include Alphabet (Google), Spotify, and Instagram, among others.

How much Django expertise you need depends on your company and your role, though many users learn through bootcamps or certificate programs. For example, Developers who train through a program like the Python Developer Certificate from Noble Desktop gain experience with SQL and Django REST (Representational State Transfer). Others learn Django as part of a more generalized development course.

Apache Hadoop

While the standard discussion is Hadoop vs. Spark, you might not need to favor one or the other. Both are open-source frameworks. While each has advantages and disadvantages, they are both scalable and can recover after a data processing interruption. They also both boast widespread developer community support.

As in most cases, your familiarity with Hadoop or Spark will depend on factors like your company, position, and even sector. Whereas there are different ways to query Hadoop with SQL, your role may or may not require it. Check job listings for positions that interest you, and you will be better able to determine whether you should learn Spark, Hadoop, or both.

Tableau

Many tech professionals learn SQL as part of a data analytics or business analytics certificate program. These in-depth courses often feature Python data visualization training, and Tableau is among the most popular choices. Data visualization allows users to create interactive, easy-to-read charts or graphs that make data simple to understand. Some users compare and contrast Tableau with its competitor, Microsoft Power BI. However, you can connect Tableau to a Microsoft SQL Server database, so you might not need to choose one or the other. Some positions require you to learn either but consider learning Tableau and Power BI if your job requires ongoing data visualization.

SQL Industries in Austin

Austin is a jewel among Texas cities, with many forward-thinking industries, and many require SQL proficiency. Consider the following list of major Austin industries:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Automotive
• BFSI
• Clean Technology
• Data Management
• Digital Media
• Life Sciences
• Manufacturing

Among these, clean tech, BFSI, and data management are primary sectors for SQL, data visualization, and related skills like Excel and Python. Clean energy planning roles require everything from data analysis to project management, especially for senior-level professionals. The same is true for business, financial services, and insurance.

However, data management in Austin stands out from the list of major industries. Utilities, regional water management, and real estate have direct pipelines to massive Austin data center operations. Companies with data centers in the region include Citigroup, Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Oracle.

SQL Careers in Austin

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), the Austin-Roundrock metropolitan area boasts low unemployment and numerous jobs in trade, transportation, utilities, education, and business and professional services. But Austin isn’t just a destination for these industries. FinTech, quality assurance and testing, and software development are also essential industries in the region.

While a Quality Assurance Analyst typically makes an average annual salary ranging from around $59,000 to $93,000, a Financial Analyst in Austin can expect to make slightly more, about $69,000 to $100,000. Business Analysts can do even better, averaging from around $73,000 to $110,000 in annual salary.

In development and data, tech professionals average higher annual compensation packages. An experienced Austin Software Developer can anticipate earning around $95,000 to $127,000 yearly, and an experienced Database Administrator typically makes from about $94,000 to $135,000 annually. As in most metropolitan areas, Data Scientists’ average annual salaries rank higher than others: they can expect to earn around $120,000 to $171,000.

Positions at these levels require numerous skills besides SQL, and the best-paying roles demand years of experience. For more salary and job descriptions for data science or financial analysis careers, visit the Careers Page at Noble Desktop, which provides additional information.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification?

Certificate programs differ from certification tracks in several essential ways. First, while some large multinational companies offer certification credentials—like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google—most certificate programs come through private course providers. Certificate programs often include multiple subjects, like Python, SQL, and Tableau. Certification credentials typically focus on one skill or subject, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or cloud security.

A certificate program can be made up of multiple bootcamps, often an ideal training method for beginners. Certification credentials may be essential for select entry-level positions, but most tech pros who sit for certification exams are already intermediate or even experts in the subject. You can prepare for some certification exams through targeted certificate programs, but these are the exception rather than the rule.

Top SQL Certificate Programs in Austin

The Austin-Roundrock metro area may not host too many in-person SQL certificate programs or certification exams, but students here still have plenty of options. Many SQL learners today enroll in live online courses to get their training. Online learning is on the rise, with over 70% of students stating that they prefer it to the traditional classroom experience. Live online courses give attendees an interactive, hands-on experience with instructors who have experience in the field. Read on for more about SQL training you can take live online from anywhere, including Austin.

• Practical Programming—SQL Bootcamp

Practical Programming is a respected course provider offering in-person coding training for New York City residents and live online training for everyone else. Their SQL Bootcamp uses the advanced PostgreSQL and SQL Server databases to teach students how to visualize what is in a database and write SQL queries. Additional topics include SELECT statements, filtering results, changing data types with CAST, and advanced query techniques.

Practical Programming graduates often choose other workshops, bootcamps, or certificate programs in partnership with fellow provider Noble Desktop. Many certificate programs include remote setup assistance, 1-to-1 mentoring sessions, and the option to retake the course for up to a year at no charge. Check course listings for more details.

• Computer Training Source, Inc.—SQL Queries Introduction

Computer Training Source prioritizes software training for individuals and businesses. Since 1991, they have provided training courses you can take in-person at their Chicago location or live online from anywhere, Austin included.

The SQL Queries Introduction from Computer Training Source offers beginner-level students ages 18 and older a comprehensive foundational SQL course. You will learn to do conditional searches, manage and retrieve data, and export query results. Topics include SQL commands like Create, Insert, and Update and relational database management systems like Microsoft SQL Server, Ingres, and Oracle Database.

• Noble Desktop—SQL Bootcamp

Manhattan-based Noble Desktop is one of the industry’s most-respected course providers, offering immersive high-level workshops, bootcamps, and certificate programs. While they host in-person training sessions at their state-of-the-art headquarters in New York City, Noble also provides courses live online via teleconferencing. Additional benefits for Noble Desktop graduates include small class sizes, 1-on-1 bonus training sessions, and free retakes for up to a year at no charge.

Noble offers their SQL Bootcamp as a single training module where you will learn concepts that apply to relational database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. You can also save by taking the SQL Bootcamp as part of the Noble Desktop Data Science Certificate or Data Analytics Certificate. Check course listings for more detailed information.

• Developer Bootcamp—SQL Programmer Bootcamp

Developer Bootcamp has provided high-tech training for over 20 years. Their bootcamp-style training offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced tech training for students and business professionals. Topics include SQL, UNIX, Linux, Java, and. NET, to name a few.

The unique training approach at Developer Bootcamp combines on-demand streaming with lab work. Most bootcamps are 50% lecture and 50% labs, with every student assigned support staff who can provide setup assistance, and an instructor who can answer course content questions and help complete lab exercises if needed. While programs are self-paced, attendees should expect to complete the bootcamp within about four weeks.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

If you want to sit for an SQL certification exam, household name companies like Alphabet (Google), Amazon, and Microsoft offer some of the most popular choices. One of these is the Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate credential. Like many certification paths, this one is not for SQL novices. Applicants for the Associate-level program should have SQL Server and Azure SQL expertise.

Microsoft offers two ways to prepare for the Azure Database Administrator Associate exam: self-paced or instructor-led training. If you prefer to look for other training options for the certification, consider course providers who offer to host training and proctor the exam. If you work in a Windows-based environment, consider additional certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Fundamentals or Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions.

• NYC Career Centers—SQL Level I

As its name implies, NYC Career Centers has its headquarters in New York City. However, the NYC-based course provider also hosts its courses live online by teleconferencing. SQL Level I is a beginner-level class for students aged 18 and above, featuring an interactive online classroom environment, small class sizes, and individualized attention.

Topics in this immersive course include the SQL Server Management Studio and Microsoft SQL Server. SQL Level I is also available at a discount, along with SQL Level II and III, for applicants who take it as part of the SQL Bootcamp. Applicants who want to learn beginner, intermediate, and advanced SQL in sequence should consider this option. Check listings for more detailed information.

• ONLC Training Centers—SQL Querying: Fundamentals

ONLC Training Centers offers IT education nationwide at hundreds of its training locations. Among its SQL classes is SQL Querying: Fundamentals. This engaging program for intermediate-level students offers SQL querying basics for those who need to use SQL databases professionally. Participants learn to connect to the SQL Server database, execute simple queries, and use various functions to manage, organize, and retrieve data.

While ONLC Training Centers lists the course as intermediate, it requires no formal prerequisites. However, attendees should have some familiarity with database terminology and structure. Students who do not live or work near an ONLC Training Centers location can access their courses using their state-of-the-art Remote Classroom Instruction (RCI) technology.

Working in a field that requires SQL can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. This essential tool is the foundation of few careers, yet many high-paying roles require it. Data Scientists, Database Administrators, and Business Analysts are just a few of the positions that can demand proficiency with multiple SQL databases—from MySQL to SQLite, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, to name a few.

However, some roles require a level of SQL expertise that companies advertise in the title. If you want to specialize in SQL, look for job postings with titles like:

• SQL Database Administrator
• SQL Database Developer
• SQL Developer
• SQL Server DBA Manager
• SQL & Data Analytics Developer
• SQL Report Writer
• Senior Database Engineer, MS SQL Server

Jobseekers can find careers like these today in industries as diverse as property and casualty insurance, management consulting, and information technology. While you might think SQL would mainly be the province of data science and analytics, consider learning fundamentals that can help you advance in any industry or sector.