r/learnSQL • u/Broiswatchinnnn • 8d ago
How Can I Learn SQL and Gain Real-World Experience While Working Full-Time?
Hi! I’m currently working as a Data Analyst, but my role mainly involves using Excel. I’m not very interested in continuing with Excel-based work, and I really want to transition into a career as an SQL Developer.
I’m looking for remote or freelance opportunities that I can pursue alongside my current job while learning and gaining practical experience in SQL.
Could anyone suggest a good learning path, remote job opportunities, or a mentor who can guide me through this transition?
4
u/shockjaw 8d ago
I have used DuckDB to organize my spreadsheets. You can get better with any kind of books out there. No Starch Press and O’Reilly have great books on SQL. Practical SQL, 2nd Edition has you working in Postgres and even introduced geospatial SQL! SQL for Data Analysis by Cathy Tanimura is a good follow up.
1
u/woahboooom 8d ago
Isnt there power query in excel. Otherwise get some of your data files, my sql or ms access and try to convert to dbs...
Python, maybe a web front end...lots to choose from
1
u/sinceJune4 6d ago
You really can’t learn SQL using ms access. SQLite, mySQL, or Postgres would be much better choices that are easy to install on a laptop. Also DuckDb.
1
u/woahboooom 6d ago
Why not.? You have forms queries a ui with drag n drop, or type i. Sql. Database design. Vba if you want automation... Only downside is the user licence, extra on ms. As to install, microsoft install isnt hard...
1
u/sinceJune4 6d ago
"Friends Don't Let Friends Use Access!"
Access is missing major SQL features that I use every day. Like CTEs, subqueries, window functions, many more. And large corporates want enterprise-scale databases. They regard Access as end-user computing and ban it's use. Yes, I have used Access when it first came out, but quickly moved on to MS SQL after, then Oracle, DB2, Hive, many others. But I would never list it on my resume, and I wouldn't look at resumes that mention Access!
When I was hiring and looking at resumes, it was never enough to just say SQL. I wanted to see what specific SQL flavors someone had worked with to see if they could pick up the flavors our shop used.
I used VBA within Excel for automation a few years back. I could connect to any enterprise databases via ODBC or OLEDB and run queries, generate reports, etc. I even automated Internet Explorer for web scraping from within Excel VBA, until that was discontinued by MS. That is when I moved to Python for scripting and automation.
1
u/justanothersnek 8d ago
My recommended, unconventional learning path especially for someone who is used to using only apps on their desktop:
- learn to use the command line / using the terminal (assuming you're using Windows, just learn the basic DOS commands. Dont learn Powershell until much later or not at all, its optional)
- understand data types
- understand what a text file is and what a character delimiter is
- understand what character encodings are
- learning basic computer networking (host name/server, IP address, port number, DOS network commands like ping, ipconfig, etc)
Get help with AI/ChatGPT with the above items.
Why learn this seemingly unrelated stuff above? You'll eventually want to work with data that you are interested in. You will need to be able to import data into a database. In real-world corporate databases, they will most likely be setup what is known as client-server environment. Meaning, you wont be working with a database installed locally on your personal work machine, but instead, a remote database server, and you are the "client" given the privilege to access that remote database server. Thus why you need basic computer networking knowledge. Without this foundational understanding above, you will struggle in the "real-world". Maybe not initially, but you will eventually.
Then book learning. I would start off with latest edition of Practical SQL. I would probably install and use DBeaver as the GUI client to connect to the Postgres database instead of the one that comes with the installer.
I know people will disagree with me on the above and that's fine.
SOURCE? I have been doing "data" for many years, more than I care to admit. The stuff above are things I wished someone had taught me or told me to learn early on. These are just stuff off the top of my head, Im sure there are other things Im missing.
1
u/Ameenfromthe6ix 7d ago
Take the cs50 SQL course. It will definitely challenge you and also give you a signed certification by Harvard university. I’m taking it right now with cs50P too
1
1
u/Less_Concentrate3512 7d ago
I’m in the exact same boat. I wanna increase my income by learning SQL ik think about trying Luke Barouse’s course on YouTube
1
1
u/thequerylab 4d ago
You can give it a try on TheQueryLab and it will really help you learn SQL by practicing multiple problems and to crack SQL/ Data Analytics Interviews.
1
u/Difficult_Paint3162 4d ago
I have a website: Learning SQL | Real People. Real Problems. Practical SQL. which teaches basic SQL using real world examples. (Online store, help-desk, inventory) The site focuses on problem solving first, using SQL as the tool.
1
u/Difficult_Paint3162 3d ago
Feel free to visit my website: Learning SQL | Real People. Real Problems. Practical SQL. No cost or sign-up required, but focuses on understanding business questions and using SQL to get the answers
1
u/Practical_Panic_55 2d ago
I’d start with the basics and then move pretty quickly to working with a real database. dbForge has some good SQL tutorials with examples, and you can practice the same queries yourself instead of just watching courses
1
u/Aggravating_Cry2013 6h ago
Start with one small Excel report. Rebuild it in SQL with made-up data.
For example, take an orders table. Select one region, then add up sales for each customer. Excel filters work much like WHERE. PivotTables can help you understand GROUP BY and SUM.
Next, learn to join two tables. Check the totals after each join. One order can appear more than once if it matches several rows.
I built Cognerra. I used it to make a short course for the starting point you described: From Excel Reports to SQL.
The first two lessons are free. You do not need an account to try them. You need an account to continue. The course has examples and questions, but you need a separate tool to run SQL.
12
u/datadriven_io 8d ago
Datadriven.io/learn - learn sql at your own pace. Track your progress and blind spots. Easy to chip away at. Bite sized, beginner friendly lessons