SQL Server 2008 - Careers advice really

[Boba Fatt]

Currently trying to get my head around SQL Server 2008 for my job. I'm in software support and SQL is used for some of the software, so i'm trying to learn more about it (slowly)

I'm also taking part in CodeYear with their weekly free online classes in Javascript

So my question is........where the hell am I heading (by accident) in my future career? I thought I wanted to do design but there's no money in it really, so that's become more of a hobby. It all seems a bit unknown at the moment and getting into IT relatively later after many years in the financial sector has left me a bit further behind than 20 year old hotshots (i'm 36 with an HNC in computing) with computing science degrees.

Just looking for pointers really......thanks :-)

[WelshBoyo]

What do you want to do, then try to point in right direction. E.g. learning Javascript but your job has aspects of SQL Server 2008?

SQL Server has many aspects. Do you want to be a DBA, Programmer, Architect? Do you want to learn about T-SQL, SSIS, SSAS, Reporting Services (which is always needed, but slightly dull to do as a full time job)?

[Boba Fatt]

Having had a right good neb about on the internet I think i'm leaning towards DBA, which has probably answered my own question

[slow_poke]

See those 20 year old hotshots with their computing degrees? You'll run rings around them with your real life experience, career experience, people skills, interpersonal skills, just-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-doing-a-day's-graft skills......

[Crafty_]

www.sqlbits.com

It'd be worth a visit to the next one.

[WelshBoyo]

Take a look at the Microsoft e Learning as I've used them many times to gain Microsoft Certification. You can usually get money off the courses just look out for special deal (you company might even have some free accounts to use).

Also check out the free Microsoft events. The big one is the Microsoft TechDays in London, which is usually excellent and you can learn quite a lot.