SQL is an acronym for Structured Query Language, a standard and widely accepted language used for database maintenance. Microsoft Access does not require you to learn SQL, but it can be helpful! Thanks to training courses, workshops and how-to videos, it’s easier than ever to learn the basics of SQL.
Whether you’ve been intimidated to learn SQL or haven’t had the time, now is a great moment to start working on the basics. Let’s look at the top three reasons why you should learn Structured Query Language.
1. Not Limited to Programming Tasks
Usually, programming languages are limited to programming purposes only, but this isn’t the case with SQL. For instance, people who work in marketing or sales can benefit from learning this language because they can execute queries. Or, someone on the finance team can do a quick analysis instead of manually looking through big numbers.
Because SQL is one of the most popular programming languages, it will continue to be used throughout professions, including data science, business analytics and software engineering. Furthermore, if you look to change jobs or move up the career ladder, knowing SQL will be a favorable skill.
2. Handle Large Volumes of Structured Data
Data is valuable in today’s workplace, but in order for it to be useful, it must be effectively stored and managed. With companies producing more data than ever, it’s important that people know how to handle large volumes of data.
For example, when working with databases that contain millions of entries, it’s not practical to analyze everything manually. This is where SQL queries come in, as they allow you to execute different operations like locating rows and creating different forms.
The better data is stored and managed, the more valuable it becomes. You can even process and interpret data to answer questions and solve problems. Everything is at your fingertips – SQL will help you make sense of it!
3. In-Demand Skill to Add to Your Resume
As mentioned above, learning SQL is a valuable skill that can transfer over to other jobs. Developers, business analysts and product managers are just a few of the professions that rely on SQL for data retrieval. If you’re looking for a job in the financial or technical sectors, a background in SQL will make you a more worthy candidate.
Fortunately, SQL is relatively easy to learn. In just two to three weeks, you can become familiar with the language, especially if you already know some other programming languages. There are also a number of ways to learn SQL, such as tutorial sites, online and in-person courses, YouTube and blog posts.
Even though SQL has been around since the 1970s, it continues to be a powerful tool for many industries. It makes managing structured data easier and is a great choice for development roles, analyst roles and financial roles. If you haven’t yet mastered SQL, now is the time to try. It will help out in your current job, as well as allow you to move up the corporate ladder.