SQL or Structured Query Language is a powerful tool for extracting data from a large database. Even for the non-technical, having SQL skills in your arsenal is a huge plus. Let's look at some reasons why you need to learn SQL.
Use Case
Developers use SQL when building mobile and web applications. Any app that requires a username and password has a SQL database.
If you subscribe to a newsletter or make an online purchase, your data is collected and stored securely in a SQL database.
Usually, coding languages are used for programming only, but SQL changes the standard. People in the marketing or sales team can learn SQL to help parse through data.
When managers and stakeholders make business decisions, they ask data analysts to recognize patterns and report them. Data analysts work closely with SQL.
Those in the finance sector can also benefit from SQL; it can save a ton of time going through pages of financial data with big figures.
In Demand
SQL is one of the most universal coding languages in the market. SQL experts are high in demand because of how dependent businesses are on data and information.
All of the latest technologies are collecting data, and companies need someone to make sense of it.
Entry-level data analysts can make up to $70,000 per year. As you advance in your SQL career, you may want to go the developer or engineer route.
SQL Server Developers can upwards of $100,000 per year and big data engineers can average over $130,000 per year.
You'll also have the opportunity to pivot in other areas of interest because SQL is used in a variety of fields: IT, finance, healthcare, etc.
Low Entry Point
SQL is one of the easier languages to start learning. If you already have some basic coding skills, the syntax is fairly simple to pick up.
Being able to understand what a database is and how to structure it is a crucial step in learning SQL.
Then you'll need to know how to author SQL statements and manage SQL databases.
There are tons of free courses you can start with little to no experience. Developers often release open-source test databases to help you learn.
However, SQL gets more advanced when you start narrowing it down to specific fields. Healthcare data may require way more specialized training than financial records.
Wrapping Up
Structured Query Language has a wide use case and it's important to a lot of industries. If you're looking for a career change, pick the field that interests you the most and focus on SQL skills related to that.
Whichever industry you choose, you will have in-demand skills that pay pretty well to start.
And if you are unsure where to start, there are plenty of courses and books available for beginners. Just be sure to stay consistent with it.
Learning to code is like learning a foreign language; it’s meant to be practiced every day.