SQL Certificates St. Louis, MO

SQL is an acronym for Structured Query Language. Whether it’s pronounced as an acronym or “sequel, ” it’s a domain-specific language used by a variety of professionals to navigate database environments and manage and manipulate the data housed in relational database management systems. As far as data with relationships between entities and variables is concerned, SQL has proven to be the most efficient and effective tool. It's an essential data science tool that can unlock the many insights that relational databases like Microsoft SQL Server, and Ingres hold. SQL is not a general-purpose programming language like Visual Basic or Java because its focus lies not on controlling systems but on defining what actions the systems should perform. What SQL does is tell systems what to do, not how to do it.

Programmers, data professionals, and many other non-technical personnel use SQL commands to query databases to update, retrieve, insert, delete, or debug data. SQL plays a vital role in organizing the data found in relational databases. A database’s data is indexed and organized in tables. Each table has a unique name; every row is a record; and every column is a field. These designations are part of how SQL navigates the database and executes queries efficiently. SQL commands are predefined keywords. They are not case-sensitive, and due to their simple and natural syntax, SQL is arguably one of the easiest coding languages to learn. And although there are several SQL implementations or flavors, much of the code remains the same.

Why Become Certified in SQL?

If you want to add an in-demand technical skill to your professional toolkit that can open up more career opportunities for you, SQL is the asset you’re looking for. Most industries are leveraging the power of SQL to improve business. That’s why becoming certified in SQL is extremely beneficial. With an SQL-related certification in hand, you can work in your industry of choice. Most companies have integrated data into improving their business operations and their outputs. Vast amounts of data are collected, exchanged, shared, and handled by entities of all sizes increasing the demand for professionals who know how to effectively manage that data. Certification can help you make your way into the fields of data science, web development, and business analysis where your SQL expertise can shine.

While SQL certification isn’t a prerequisite to finding employment, it does improve your chances of being hired and make you more of a standout candidate. Understand that becoming certified in SQL comes with no guarantees, but it does come with several advantages. With a certification, you’re more likely to see more career opportunities come your way. Obtaining certification is one way to demonstrate your commitment to professional development, and will often give way to more opportunities for professional growth. One of the more sought-after benefits of SQL certification is a salary increase. Whether or not you’re able to access this advantage is up to your employer; but, certifications can also lead to more team leadership opportunities and can serve as a segue into a more specialized career.

Keep in mind that an official SQL certification does not exist yet, but there are vendor-specific certifications to pursue, like the Microsoft SQL Certification and Oracle Certified MySQL Developer. Most organizations use a specific relational database management system, so finding out which system a potential employer is using can be worthwhile. It is just as advantageous to become certified by the vendor your current employer is using. When you foster your SQL proficiency, you gain a deeper understanding of its practical applications and nurture your expertise.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming SQL Certified

In this data-driven world, the quality and accessibility of data is paramount. It allows companies to stay competitive and meet their business goals as well as the needs of their consumers. SQL professionals need a variety of technical skills to handle complex data tasks and fulfill their job duties. Some of these skills include understanding database design, multiple programming languages, and indexing. All of these skills are useful when making the most out of SQL.

Database Design

A strong understanding of database design principles leads to maintaining and creating a high-performing database. Building well-structured, normalized databases ensures data integrity.

Programming Languages

When working as a data professional, you need to have a foundational understanding of several programming languages. It’s ideal to be fluent in a minimum of two programming languages like JavaScript, Python, R, or PHP. Developers use programming languages to code the websites and applications that access an organization’s databases.

Debugging

Running into complex data problems when working with data is unavoidable. Debugging practices coupled with excellent problem-solving skills are critical to overcoming those challenges. You have to pinpoint and correct problems efficiently when using SQL to avoid delays in accessing data that can result in troublesome bottlenecks in routine operations. Knowing debugging techniques and tools is necessary for maintaining efficient databases.

OLAP

OLAP is a type of database that can analyze databases more efficiently and in more innovative ways. It can handle complex data-based calculations that bring a deeper understanding of your organization’s data. OLAP offers a highly focused data analysis methodology through SQL queries.

Indexing

Proper indexing can lead to shorter query times. Imposing the correct order on data allows indexes to function correctly. Poor indexing leads to performance issues. Knowing how to use indexes properly makes it easier to integrate them into your SQL programming.

SQL Industries in St. Louis

Since SQL is such a powerhouse when it comes to data and database management, it is used in a wide range of industries. Any organization that collects, shares, stores, or generates large amounts of data has a real need for SQL.

The mining industry has very strong roots in St. Louis, and it generates a vast amount of data concerning the crude product that is being mined. In quarter three of 2023 alone, the St. Louis mining industry has seen a gross output of 698.6 billion dollars. Undoubtedly, there has been a lot of data generated from mining activities, and SQL has been critically instrumental in helping organizations like Arch Resources keep their data properly indexed, organized, and secure. SQL-trained professionals are using SQL to do things like monitoring climate and environmental data to create more sustainable mining practices and to stay compliant with corporate governance policies.

SQL is also applied to various roles in the education sector which generated a gross output of 442.2 billion dollars in the third quarter of 2023. Many of the top educational companies have offices in St. Louis, including Kaplan, Kumon, and The Princeton Review. SQL is leveraged in this industry to track student progress and create personalized learning goals and strategies with OLAP and other database tools. Predictive modeling is another way SQL enhances this industry, allowing historical data and real-time insights to come together to prepare educational institutions and service providers for potential challenges and opportunities for growth. It also helps in making data-driven decisions regarding resource allocation, improving operational efficiency, and predicting student success.

In St. Louis’ finance industry, you’ll find SQL hard at work assessing risks, detecting fraud, and helping to maintain regulatory compliance. St. Louis-based financial institutions like Stifel query and analyze large volumes of transactional data and need to generate a wide range of reports in their daily operations. SQL ensures that financial data like revenue, expenses, and profits can be accurately and efficiently analyzed. The finance industry needs Data Engineers, Business Analysts, and other data professionals who have a deep understanding of database design, programming languages, and debugging techniques and tools.

SQL Careers in St. Louis

You’ll find many careers that require or benefit from knowing SQL. Data engineering is one career that involves SQL. You can apply your SQL certificate or certification to a role as a Data Engineer, where you’ll prepare data for analytical and operational uses. When you’re working for organizations like Anheuser-Busch you’ll be an integral part of the data science team. Those in this position create databases and infrastructure, transform, scale, and format data. Other duties of Data Engineers include transforming, scaling, and formatting data within databases. In addition to knowing SQL, Data Engineers utilize other tools like Hadoop and Spark and programming languages like Python and Scala. You can earn between $99,000 and $132,000 a year as a Data Engineer in St. Louis and the field is growing much faster than average.

The role of a Database Administrator involves using various software and tools to securely store data and make it easily accessible to authorized users. Some Database Administrators specialize in systems or applications, but others are generalists who focus on all aspects of database administration. You’ll be able to find employment with companies like Centene and Edward Jones. Typical Database Administrator job duties will differ amongst organizations and industries, but common duties include analyzing and establishing performance baselines, monitoring and maintaining servers, altering database structures, coordinating data pushes, and implementing security measures. Those in database administration can earn between $88,000 and $112,000 a year. With most companies expecting continued data needs, database administration is growing faster than average in a range of industries.

Business Intelligence Analysts or BI Analysts are tasked with analyzing data so organizations and stakeholders can get timely and informative insights on methods to improve business and outreach. In this position, you’ll break down key business data and share your findings with decision-makers. The work of BI Analysts and Business Analysts is very similar and in some ways may even overlap; but BI Analysts are more directly concerned with using data to discover useful insights, not how the insights can be practically applied. BI Analysts use database tools like SQL, visualization tools like Power BI, and programming languages like Python in many of their routine duties. In St. Louis, BI Analysts can earn between $60,000 and $113,000 a year depending on education, experience, and employer.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

It’s a great idea to pursue a certificate or certification in SQL, but you should understand that the two options are very different from one another. You can earn a certificate by enrolling in a class or a series of classes that teaches you SQL principles and techniques through projects, quizzes, or tests, which is the fastest way to be rewarded with a certificate. Certifications, however, are earned by satisfactorily passing a standardized exam. Exams are often platform or vendor-specific and typically administered through a third party rather than a training facility. Passing the exam demonstrates your knowledge of the practice and theory of SQL or SQL-adjacent material. Certifications are very instrumental in taking on more specialized tasks in your career, boosting your earning potential, and stepping into more leadership roles. A certification can also expand your career opportunities. Certificates can also help you gain more career opportunities and deepen your professional toolkit; however, becoming certified is a huge confidence boost and garners more respect from your colleagues as it relates to your expertise and what you have to offer.

If you’re new to working with SQL and data science, you should consider earning a certificate first, as they are better suited to beginners. Many SQL certificate courses are beginner-friendly courses carefully designed to meet the needs of people who have no experience working with SQL, data, and databases. There are also plenty of certificate courses created for professionals who are already working in the data science field and those looking to upskill for their current career path. It’s worth noting that certificate courses designed to help learners prepare for taking a certification exam are also available. Enrolling in one of these certification prep courses will allow you to receive a certificate for completing the course and a certification when you pass the certification exam. Consider Tableau courses in St. Louis if you’re not ready to jump into SQL. It may be a better fit for your career goals.

Top SQL Certificate Programs in St. Louis

Attending an SQL certificate program in St. Louis is the fastest way to get an education in SQL. Although it’s the easiest programming language to learn, you’re likely to master it much more quickly under the guidance of an instructor. Adding SQL to your professional toolkit can make a significant impact on your career options, earning potential, and confidence at work. If you’re looking to start a career in SQL or you just want to add SQL to your resume, there are a lot of certificate programs to choose from. Check out these SQL certificate courses.

Introduction to SQL

This Knowledge Academy certificate course is a beginner-friendly course that teaches the fundamentals of SQL for database management and data manipulation. There are no prerequisites to enroll in this certificate course, and every student will receive hands-on experience with using SQL to manage, maintain, and export databases. SQL topics that will be covered in this course include constraints, data types, SQL command types, clauses, joins, views, and triggers. Students will learn from expert instructors and use high-quality learning and training materials while studying with the Knowledge Academy. Learners should expect a comprehensive SQL education that arms them with the practical and technical knowledge they need to use SQL for data analysis and data handling.

When enrolling in this training course, learners receive courseware, refreshments, and a digital delegate pack. This SQL introduction is scheduled several times a year and is available in multiple formats, including live online and face-to-face onsite.

SQL Querying—Combo

Students of this Certstaffix Training SQL training course are receiving a comprehensive education in SQL that will prepare them for solving real-world data challenges in their careers. This class covers both basic and advanced SQL techniques and tools. It is a live instructor-led online course that teaches students databases, writing advanced WHERE clauses, built-in functions and expressions, subqueries, joining tables, advanced querying like pivoted queries and derived tables, and isolating aggregate query logic.

All enrolled students of this course receive printed courseware, have access to a virtual computer, and are permitted to retake the course free of charge for up to six months after taking the SQL course. Access to a Certstaffix Training virtual computer ensures that all learners have all of the files exercises and software needed to complete the course.

SQL Bootcamp: Learning the Language

This is a bootcamp designed just for beginners with no previous experience with SQL. General Assembly guides learners through a deep dive into SQL syntax and data structures. After attending this course, students will be more confident in their ability to write SQL queries. This bootcamp covers a variety of techniques for navigating database management system environments and writing SQL queries. Course topics include SQL vocabulary, the different database management systems, sorting functions, aggregate functions, basic and advanced SQL commands, and mathematical functions.

There are flexible payment plans available, and enrollees will earn tuition discounts on future General Assembly courses. General Assembly wants its students to succeed, so it also gives students access to multiple digital tools, development programs, and packages for premiere events. Although there is no career support being offered, students are encouraged to leverage their network of instructors, peers, and alumni.

SQL Bootcamp

Noble Desktop’s SQL Bootcamp is the certificate program to choose if you’re serious about making a career move in data science and database management. During this bootcamp, you’ll gain the skills you need to effectively use SQL to extract datasets from databases. You’ll learn everything from executing basic SQL queries, joining tables, and aggregating data to filtering results. This is an in-depth bootcamp that will set the foundation for your SQL career so you can turn raw data into useful insights. You’ll receive hands-on experience with PostgreSQL and the free DBeaver app as you apply what you’re learning to real-world data problems. Everything you learn in this class can also be applied to other flavors of SQL like MySQL.

Bundling this class with other Noble Desktop offerings like the Data Science Certificate and Data Analytics Certificate courses can further round out your SQL education and make an even bigger impact on your career path. There is a free retake option within one year, and one-on-one bonus training is included if you need additional or want to apply what you’re learning to your existing projects.

Data Analysis Certificate

The University of Missouri–St. Louis Computer Education and Training Center offers students a comprehensive SQL education complete with various data analytics and visualization tools. This is an immersive certificate program that will prepare learners for a career in data analysis, SQL development, or business analysis. Those who enroll in this intensive program will learn SQL skills including basic SQL syntax and commands, intermediate and advanced applications of SQL, query optimization, and stored procedures. Students can choose between three tracks to concentrate on, R, Tableau, or Power BI. Upon completing the course, learners will have gained an understanding of how to use in-demand data analysis tools, make effective SQL queries, create impactful data visualizations, and manage data effectively.

Those who enroll in this certificate course can choose to attend classes either live online or in-person. The CETC offers high-quality training courses designed for working adults with busy schedules. All of the necessary materials are covered in the course fee and will be provided to students, and all learners will have access to student advising services.

Introduction to SQL

Students can get a foundational and working knowledge of SQL at St. Louis Community College. Enrollees will gain the skills needed to write SQL queries, create tables, retrieve data, and gather statistics from data. This course uses SQL Server Express as a practice database that students can develop and sharpen their skills on through real-world applications. Some of the topics covered in this certificate course include database design, designing data tables and rows, accessing multiple tables, aggregate functions, and updating databases.

There are no prerequisites for taking this course. Mac computers are not compatible for this course and the required software (SQL Server Express and SQL Server Management Studio) will need to be installed and operational before the start of this course. An expert instructor teaches this course and students can interact with one another and the instructor during class in an online discussion board.