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Job Search Journey Summary Overview Duration: 18 weeks (with 5 weeks from application to offer) Initial Outlook: Optimistic due to high job openings, but faced challenges specific to Data Analytics roles. Key Insights Labor Market Shift: Labor Day marked a turning point; prior to September, it was mostly rejections. Burnout: Experienced a significant dip in confidence, requiring a break in Week 11. Resume Format Impact: Transition to Method E resume format (more modern, visually appealing) was crucial, with the first interview requests only appearing after its implementation. Rejection Statistics: 95% rejection rate (includes ghosting) 1 in 20 applications resulted in an interview 3 months for a screening interview 5 weeks from application to an offer Weekly Breakdown Q1: Weeks 1-11 Weeks 1-6: Method A: Direct applications to company websites. Results: 100% rejection rate. Total Apps: 19 Weeks 7-11: Method B: Focused applications to specific companies. Results: Continued high...

Embracing Python for Automation Learning Through Application I've been studying Python off and on for years, but I really got into it when I forced myself to use it at work. That seems to be the key to learning something new—actually finding a reason to use it. It’s paying dividends as I'm being asked to do more with Python. Scripting and Automation For now, I'm using it primarily for scripting and automating some basic tasks. I'm still relying heavily on Windows Task Scheduler to call my Python scripts and hope to someday decouple from that and use something else for scheduling, if that is even feasible or advisable. Advantages of Python Python is a significant improvement over writing very ugly batch command line scripts or even PowerShell. This was my primary reason for embracing and getting comfortable with Python in the first place. Building a Skill Set I feel comfortable with my trifecta of skills: T-SQL, Tableau, and Python. I'm learning R, but I haven't ...

Progress in Data Analytics I’ve been working my way through Kimball’s 3rd Edition of Data Warehouse , and I just completed Chapter 6 . This book is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve ever read in the Data Analytics domain. A Slow Yet Rewarding Journey I started this journey back in November 2018 , and six months later, I’ve only managed to cover a portion of the book. The material is dense and packed with valuable insights, so I appreciate the time I’ve taken to digest it thoroughly. Aiming for Improvement Moving forward, I plan to improve my pace and tackle Chapter 7 on Sunday . Completing this book is a priority for me, and I recognize the need to focus on it in my life. Here’s to making steady progress and deepening my understanding of data warehousing.

Coffee Experience at Sidecar I decided to treat myself to a good cup of coffee and went with the Sidecar . The drink had a delightful flavor that reminded me a lot of a Cappuccino , but I suspect it's actually more of a Latte Macchiato . Differences Between the Two Cappuccino : Espresso first, followed by steamed milk, topped with milk foam. Latte Macchiato : Steamed milk first, then espresso added, and also topped with milk foam. Despite their similar ingredients, the order of preparation really changes the experience! Enjoying Coffee While Studying I appreciated the added side of Espresso , which complemented the drink perfectly. I enjoyed this coffee while diving into Chapter 5 of Kimball's Data Warehouse . It was a great way to enhance my study session, making it both productive and enjoyable.

Reflections on My Technical and Non-Technical Studies In regard to my technical domains, I've encountered quite a few 'dead ends' where I chose to quit at some point or have taken considerable time to complete my studies, often stopping and starting. This is not necessarily a bad thing; it demonstrates my ability to recognize when to pivot and change paths. Whatever insights I can glean from these studies remain valuable, even if they don’t reach the levels of depth I initially desired. Conversely, my non-technical domains are thriving. I have read numerous books over the years to keep my mind fresh and stimulated, as purely technical pursuits can become repetitive and dull. My Past Study Patterns in Technical Domains 2014 T-SQL Pro: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Stop/Start for years 2016 MCSA - Windows Server: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Success! 2017 MCSA - Web Apps: Quit 2018 MCSE - R: Stop/Start Art of R - Matloff Book: Completed MTA - Python: Stop/Start Python - Lutz: Completed ...

Study Plan for Data Science One of the biggest eye-openers in my journey has been the realization that Data Science fundamentally revolves around Statistics . There’s a well-established college major focused on statistics, and data science isn't entirely new; it’s a combination of traditional statistical methods with modern computing technologies, utilizing software like R and SAS for analysis. To truly grasp data science, it's essential not only to learn programming languages but also to understand the underlying principles. As such, I've decided to revise my study plan for 2019, shifting from a language/platform-specific focus to a more theory-based approach that emphasizes core concepts and techniques. Eventual Skillset I. Domain: Statistics DW/BI (Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence) Math II. Tools: SQL Tableau R Python I. Domain A. Statistics Statistics and Data Analysis (WMU - Statistics 160 Textbook) A solid introduction to key concepts. Basics of Statistics...

Setting My Sights on Data Analytics Certification I have set my sights on my first certification in my journey to the Data Analytics realm, specifically the Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Introduction to Programming with Python. My Preparation Books Intro to Python, 5th Edition - Mark Lutz Programming in Python - Mark Lutz Self-Practice Writing Python applications Timeline 180 Days (December 2017 – May 2018) Tentative Exam Date : Early May 2018 Note I won't feel competent in Python until I have spent at least a full year writing serious code. For now, I want to understand the basics and apply them at work. I have some small projects in mind to gain practical experience with Python, and I plan to implement them in 2018. I consider this the foundational step to solidify my Python knowledge. Updates Update (2/1/18) I got busy at work and had to push back my Python studies. I am still studying, but my progress is slower than I had hoped. However, I am committed to continuing. Update ...

Starting My Journey into Data Science It's time to start studying again, and I've decided against pursuing .NET/Web Programming in favor of Data Science. I've only begun researching what I need to learn to get better acquainted with Data Science, and for now, I will focus on Python Programming. I'm already pretty good with SQL and Relational Databases (SQL Server, Oracle), but there's much more to explore. Beyond Math and Statistics, I want to understand how to work with unstructured data. Subject List My initial study list (subject to change as I learn what I need) includes the following topics, presented in no particular order: Python Language R Language MongoDB / NoSQL Big Data (Hadoop, Hive) Cloud Tools (Amazon S3) Additionally, I will need to brush up on my Math and Statistics skills, as it has been a few years since university. Reading Estimate 4,000 Pages [5 to 6 books, each 500 to 800 pages] 10 months [100 pages per week] // Estimated Completion Time: Octo...

Preparing for MCSA Exam 70-480 I've started my preparation for the MCSA Exam 70-480, focusing on Programming in HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. The material is comprehensive, spanning a total of sixteen chapters . As I've been skimming through, I’ve noticed that I already know a fair bit of the content, but the book dives deeper into topics like lossy vs. lossless compression. It’s interesting to understand why one would choose JPG, GIF, PNG, or SVG—something I hadn’t paid much attention to before. So, in that sense, this book has proven to be quite useful. Progress Updates 6/3 - Completed Chapter 1 & 2 : Getting familiar with Visual Studio 2012 and HTML5. Note: Sometimes, it actually helps to study with a pint of beer! 6/4 - Completed Chapter 3 : Focused on JavaScript . Pairing it with a Sidecar makes for a good study session! Update: December 17, 2017 - Cancellation As life goes, I’ve decided to give up my studies in Web Apps for now. I do wish I knew where my Platinum 3...

Excited About the New MCSA Certification for Web Applications I'm thrilled I waited to dive into my technical studies, as I just learned that Microsoft has introduced a new MCSA certification for Web Applications. This certification aligns more closely with my work, offering a streamlined alternative to the MCSD by eliminating the 70-487 Azure/Web Services Exam. The focus is now on two key areas: 70-480 : HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3 70-486 : ASP.NET MVC I had already purchased the necessary books last year and planned to pursue the MCSD after completing the MCSA in SQL Server 2012/2014. However, life has a way of getting busy, and I had to shift my priorities. Now that I'm ready to resume my technical studies, I'm excited to go for this new MCSA Certification. While the certification itself isn't my primary goal, it serves as a useful way to focus my studies. Budget and Timeline I’m budgeting around $460 for exam fees and estimating about six months of training time. If I...

Nostalgic Desk Setup from 2012 Browsing old photos, I came across a picture of how I set up my desk in my bedroom back in 2012. It’s remarkable how time flies. Those were good times filled with energy and excitement. Reflecting on that period brings back memories of a simpler time, where my focus was on personal projects and hobbies. The setup was functional yet inspiring, allowing me to be productive and creative. It’s interesting to see how much has changed since then, both in terms of my workspace and my interests.

MCSA 70-463 -- Data Warehouse / SSIS Decision on Certification I have been considering whether to take the 70-411 Windows Server 2012 Administration exam instead of the 70-463 SQL Server 2012 Data Warehouse exam. Since I am not a System Administrator, the 70-411 exam, while interesting, does not align with my professional focus. Although it may be too late to switch, I believe that studying for and passing the 70-463 exam will provide long-term value, especially since I will be working extensively with ETL processes and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). First Impressions After opening the book for 70-463, I was immediately drawn in. This book is by far the most interesting of the several I've read from Microsoft. The engaging content made me realize that this book could easily be titled "SSIS" given its focus on the subject. I am excited to dive deeper into this material. Further Exploration In addition to my current studies, I plan to explore Ralph Kimball's b...

Starbucks Study Session for Exam 70-462 MCSA Study Details Exam Focus: MCSA 70-462 (Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases) Current Activity: Reviewing notes and taking practice questions from the CD that accompanies my study materials. Beverage of Choice: Enjoying a Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino to keep me refreshed during the study session.

Study Plan Update: MCSA SQL Server 2012 & Windows Server 2012 Exam Details I initially planned to take the optional exam 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012 but decided to focus on 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse instead, as it aligns better with my career goals. However, I’m still excited about the knowledge gained from studying Windows Server basics, as it will contribute to my overall understanding of the platform. Revised Study Plan 2/6 : Chapters 1, 2, 3 2/7 : Chapter 4 2/10 : Chapter 5 2/16 : Chapter 6 2/17 : Chapter 7 2/18 : Chapter 8 2/19 : Chapter 9 2/24 : Chapter 10 HOLD : Until I pass 70-462 . Progress Updates 2/7/16 Spent time with my Omega watch and Grado headphones while diving into Chapter 5.   2/10/16 Falling a bit behind, having only made it through Chapter 5. I’ll catch up tomorrow and aim to complete Chapters 6 and 7 to get back on track. The material is proving insightful, covering fundamental concepts that enhance my understanding. 2/16/16 ...

MCSA SQL Server 2012 Certification Path: 70-462 SQL Server 2012 Administrator I'm halfway through the 70-462 SQL Server 2012 Administrator book, which is part of the MCSA certification path. Thankfully, I've had practical experience with much of what the book covers. Building a web app from scratch and deploying several vendor solutions on SQL Server has given me a solid foundation. Reading the book now feels like second nature, and I think it will enhance my understanding even more. Study Plan Overview I aim to finish the book quickly and sit for the second exam, possibly as early as this coming Friday or next week. While this material is more DBA-focused, I believe it’s valuable to learn, even if it’s not my professional goal. Study Schedule 1/19 - Chapter 1 1/20 - Chapter 2 1/22 - Chapter 3 1/23 - Chapters 4, 5, 6 1/24 - Chapters 7, 8, 9 1/25 - Chapter 10 1/26 - Chapter 11 1/27 - Chapter 12 1/28 - 2/4 - Exam Prep 2/5 - Exam - Failed (678 / 700) 3/5 - Exam - Fail...

Final Chapter Completion of 70-461 This is it—the final Chapter 17, focusing on Further Optimization Aspects of the 70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server. I'm determined to finish strong today and begin my exam practice. Next Steps With about a week of focused practice, I plan to take the real 70-461 test. Wish me luck as I prepare for this important milestone.

Nearing Completion Current Focus I'm closing in on the end of my studies with Chapter 16, which covers Cursors, Sets, and Temporary Tables. The finish line is in sight as I work through this material.

Progress Update on MCSA 70-461 Current Status I’m currently working through Chapter 15, which covers Indexes and Statistics. It's proving to be quite deep and takes some time to read and understand. Goals I'm aiming to reach Chapter 17 by Sunday. If that doesn't happen, I hope to complete it by Christmas. Despite the pace, I feel I'm making good progress and am almost done with the material.

Certification Progress Update and Career Goals I'm making solid progress in my MCSA 70-461 studies. Even with a couple of breaks, I’ve managed to complete 75% of the book and am on track to finish it within a month (from November 22 to December 22). The pace has been steady, and I’m feeling confident about tackling each part of the MCSA in about 6-7 weeks. That should have me wrapping up the entire MCSA certification process in around 18-21 weeks —perfect timing to start working on the MCSE. Key Goals and Timeline March 2016 – MCSA Certification : Complete all MCSA exam portions, including practice exams. June 2016 – MCSE Certification : Focus on higher-level SQL Server capabilities and complete the MCSE. Rest of 2016 – Coding Focus : Deepen my development skills outside of SQL, tackling areas not covered by formal exams. With five years of hands-on experience, these certifications will solidify my knowledge and introduce me to concepts I might not frequently use in my day-to-d...

Approaching the Final Stretch: Chapter 14 - Query Performance Tools I'm now into Chapter 14 , covering Query Performance Tools —an essential part of the MCSA 70-461 journey. This chapter focuses on optimizing SQL queries, a key skill for ensuring efficient and scalable database operations. Chapter 14 Focus Execution Plans : Learning to analyze and interpret execution plans for performance insights. Indexing Strategies : Exploring index use to speed up queries while minimizing resource consumption. Query Optimization Techniques : Techniques to refine SQL statements and reduce query costs. Looking Ahead With just a few chapters to go, I’m getting close to wrapping up the MCSA material. The final push is on, and I’m excited to bring everything together for the exam.