Unfinished Business

Back Story
I was laid off a few years ago.  Corporate level changes led to my company being sold off in pieces.  At the time I decided that I would pursue a SQL certification.  The SQL certification program at Microsoft has morphed and evolved over the years.  Then, and still currently as of this blog post, the certifications are based on SQL 2012, even though SQL 2014 has been released, and SQL 2016 has had community previews.   I started working towards the “Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: SQL Server 2012” designation.

At the time, I had been working as a production DBA.  I banged out the first test on administration pretty easily.  The querying test took a little more work, but even so, I passed that as well.  The third test, “Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012” would take some more work.  I had worked with the underlying technologies, but not to the breadth and depth required.  I started studying, set up my laptop with the proper tools and applications, and worked through the requirements.

Then I got distracted.  I found a new job, so I no longed needed it for my resume.  I stopped this blog (you may notice the gap in dates).  Life went on, and this fell to the way side.

But it bothered me.  I have worked with some of the technologies that the test is based on far more than I had previously.  It was unfinished business.  My goal is to pass this test in a little less than two months.  It is November 6th.  By the end of the year, I want to take and pass this test.  I will be compiling my notes, references, and study plans here.