SQL Server/BI Contractor - where to next?

[theroyale]

Have done the Microsoft SQL Server stack fairly successfully for the last few years. Would like to move on to something else technical/architectural, but there is a world out there and given the abundance of SQL Server roles, I have never ventured too far outside my core space so far.

Where would you recommend I turn next?

- Distributed database (aka "Medium data"?) technologies like Netezza/Teradata etc
- Nosql-based technologies that use big data/hadoop like systems.
- Somewhere else/some other way of thinking about this...

Obviously I am asking with a view to continuing a contracting (not permanent) career. In the UK and not outside. A quick search on jobserve for e.g. returns 100s of results for "SQL Server", but only 10-20 for Netezza or Teradata.

A more architectural role but I am basically a database person.

[northernladuk]

So how are you going to get demonstrable skills that make you attractive to clients? Moving in contracting is not easy.

[mudskipper]

So how are you going to get demonstrable skills that make you attractive to clients? Moving in contracting is not easy.

(S)He's already a contractor.

[TheFaQQer]

(S)He's already a contractor.

Yes - but as NLUK says, moving in contracting isn't easy.

You need the track record - so unless you can get blag it completely, or end up on a project where you can pick up those skills, it's going to be hard to move on.

[slice16]

How about Data/Solution Architecture?

If you have a good understanding of the BI/MI world, and have some good business knowledge, then architecture is a good path to go down. Although as NLUK has said, making the move over isn't the easiest once you have a track record of your craft.

[Jeebo72]

I do both SQL Server and Netezza. Quite frankly there's far more SQL Server roles around for obvious reasons, so I don't really see why you need to move on? That market is expanding.

[theroyale]

I do both SQL Server and Netezza. Quite frankly there's far more SQL Server roles around for obvious reasons, so I don't really see why you need to move on? That market is expanding.

One because it is getting a little bit repetitive. But mainly because I have an attraction - maybe completely off the mark - towards the 'buzzword' technologies of the day e.g. Hadoop-based systems.

How about Data/Solution Architecture?

If you have a good understanding of the BI/MI world, and have some good business knowledge, then architecture is a good path to go down. Although as NLUK has said, making the move over isn't the easiest once you have a track record of your craft.

Thanks, this is the sort of thing I am thinking about. So how does a contractor go from designing, building and implementing relatively small self-contained BI warehouses, to becoming a Data/Solution Architect? So far I have run one-man projects, would an Architect always have teams of people under him? (Therefore some PM skills required?)

[northernladuk]

Plenty of people go perm to reskill but even getting a permie gig inside new technology isn't straight forward. Ultimately it's down to the basics of contracting. You need to be able to demonstrate to the client you are the best of the pile of experienced people that can deliver what he needs. Without that experience you just aren't going to get a look in.

[slice16]

One because it is getting a little bit repetitive. But mainly because I have an attraction - maybe completely off the mark - towards the 'buzzword' technologies of the day e.g. Hadoop-based systems.



Thanks, this is the sort of thing I am thinking about. So how does a contractor go from designing, building and implementing relatively small self-contained BI warehouses, to becoming a Data/Solution Architect? So far I have run one-man projects, would an Architect always have teams of people under him? (Therefore some PM skills required?)

I've found the move fairly easy, mostly because I specialise in Infrastructure and spent many years in the Channel as a PS Consultant, so regularly worked on many projects between many clients. I would personally recommend you try something like:

1) Look into Qualifications such as the BCS In Solutions Architecture and TOGAF. They are very much aimed at the business architecture and how you translate the processes/strategy and governance into achievable deliverables.

2) Get some experience as a BI Lead across a large project. The gig I am currently on is running a massive transformation program that requires data from 100s of legacy systems. The Team Leads (Pretty much technical BAs) get a good feeling across the board.

3) Finally, oversell yourself at an Interview. There is nothing better than jumping in at the deep end and learning on the job.

[Mattski]

3) Finally, oversell yourself at an Interview. There is nothing better than jumping in at the deep end and learning on the job.

I've seen this backfire spectacularly. Someone got canned for lacking required & essential skills. Exercise caution if you do this..