Are you navigating the IT environment and would like to land your dream job or enhance your personal knowledge portfolio? Bet on the latest certifications from Microsoft. We will focus on the MCSA: SQL 2016 certification. If you have no idea what it is and why this certification should interest you, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading, and in the following lines, we’ll introduce it in much more detail.
We will also focus on the reasons for taking the prerequisite exams for certification. We will certainly not forget to mention the types of MCSA: SQL 2016 certifications, the requirements for obtaining the certificate, and the skills that applicants will acquire by completing the courses. Finally, we will also highlight where you can take specific courses. You will find most of the information and knowledge needed to pass the exams on this website.
What is MCSA: SQL 2016?
The abbreviation MCSA comes from English and stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate. So, in essence, it’s a type of certification from Microsoft. And what does SQL mean? It’s a specification of the certification’s focus. SQL is an environment commonly used in the field of database management, both for medium-sized and large databases. SQL 2016 certification verifies the expertise of specialists in the areas of database installation, configuration, and maintenance based on a cloud platform.
What Will Obtaining Certification Give You?
If you complete the MCSA: SQL 2016 certification, you will officially become an expert in Microsoft SQL databases. This gives you a much better chance of securing a lucrative position in the field of database administration, cloud solutions, and specific business infrastructure. A well-trained professional like this should have no trouble managing databases across various enterprises.
Why Is Certification Worth It?
For several reasons, which we will summarize below. Obtaining this certification is advantageous mainly because:
- It’s respected by many employers: If a specific company discovers in your CV that you possess such a certification, they will see you as an expert in the field. They won’t need to verify your knowledge and skills, as the certification speaks for itself.
- It will help you in your career: In any case, Microsoft certifications in the SQL field are highly valued, and you will elevate your knowledge and skills to a higher level.
- It will earn you money: You might not believe it, given the relatively high cost of training. However, thanks to a well-paying job, your investment will pay off quickly, and you will ultimately gain more.
- It will set you apart from the competition: In the IT field today, there are many people who boast various knowledge and skills. The MCSA: SQL 2016 certification will put you ahead of them without having to prove anything.
Three Types of MCSA: SQL 2016 Certifications
The MCSA: SQL 2016 certification essentially encompasses three basic specializations. We will describe them in more detail, including the requirements for participating in the courses and the skills needed to pass the individual exams.
Database Development
To obtain this certification, you need to educate yourself in two areas: knowledge of the SQL language and SQL database development. It is essential to complete two specialized training courses. What are the requirements for completing both courses and the resulting skills?
Basic knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2016 and SQL language
Requirements:
- Above-average experience with Windows OS.
Skills acquired:
- Joining multiple tables,
- Sorting and filtering data,
- Using data types in SQL Server,
- Working with subqueries,
- Using window and aggregation functions,
- Transforming data using cube, pivot, rollup, and unpivot functions,
- And much more.
SQL Database Development
Requirements:
- Demonstrable knowledge of T-SQL language,
- Above-average experience with Windows OS.
Skills acquired:
- Designing and creating In-Memory tables,
- Creating triggers,
- Implementing Managed Code in SQL Server,
- Working with geometric and geographic graphs,
- Storing and querying XML data,
- Creating indexes, including Columnstore,
- Managing elements related to integrity assurance,
- And much more.
Database Administration
In this specialization, you also need to focus on two areas of education. These are the following training courses.
Administration in Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Requirements:
- Adequate user experience with Windows OS,
- Basic knowledge of relational databases,
- Knowledge of SQL language.
Skills acquired:
- Backup and restore of SQL Server databases,
- Using SQL Server audit,
- Creating a database maintenance plan,
- Implementing SQL Server Agent security,
- Troubleshooting,
- Using SQL Server Profiler and SQL Trace,
- And much more.
Creating, Managing, and Maintaining SQL Server Databases
Requirements:
- User experience with Windows OS.
Skills acquired:
- Upgrading SQL Server from a previous version,
- Installing the database server,
- Configuring SQL Server,
- Managing databases in a cloud environment,
- And much more.
Business Intelligence Development
In the final specialization, you also need education in two fields. These are:
Data Warehouse Management through SQL Server
Requirements:
- Knowledge of T-SQL language,
- Familiarity with SQL Server and databases,
- Adequate user experience with Windows OS.
Skills acquired:
- Description of data warehouse components,
- Implementation of the logical and physical structure of the data warehouse,
- Description of the main features of SSIS,
- Implementation of data flow in SSIS,
- Implementation of control flow in SSIS,
- Debugging SSIS packages,
- And much more.
Creating Data Models in SQL Server
Requirements:
- Mastery of T-SQL language,
- Necessary experience with Windows OS.
Skills acquired:
- Creating multidimensional databases through Analysis Services,
- Creating both dimensions and measures using OLAP cubes,
- Using DAX language,
- Creating a tabular data model in SQL Server Analysis Services,
- And much more.
