Am I hurting my career in the long run by not knowing SQL?

New
aVDv36

New

aVDv36
Sep 9, 2019 12 Comments

Im a new grad BI analyst but never use SQL. We use DOMO as our main BI tool here and they have a GUI-based SQL function thats just incredibly convenient but I feel my lack of practice in SQL will hurt when trying to jump company later on. Any BI analysts here can give their input?

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  • New
    crazyy!

    New

    crazyy!
    I am not sure in the first place with out knowing SQL how did you get into BI analyst. It’s a must when you move jobs and also its not an issue you can spend a few weeks to learn and you are good
    Sep 9, 2019 2
    • New
      aVDv36

      New

      aVDv36
      OP
      It’s an entry level BI analyst role and I’m familiar with very basic queries just from college courses and an internship I did. Besides that though, I never get the chance to improve on my querying proficiency since even my boss never uses it and says I don’t need to use it cause of the GUI SQL.
      Sep 9, 2019
    • New
      crazyy!

      New

      crazyy!
      Thats fine it wont take much longer become a pro. Just a couple of weeks.
      Sep 9, 2019
  • Zynga
    cdev6676

    Go to company page Zynga

    cdev6676
    Impossible to survive without knowing SQL.In fact most BI analysts will have to know a scripting language as well
    Sep 9, 2019 1
    • New
      aVDv36

      New

      aVDv36
      OP
      I’m fucked.
      Sep 9, 2019
  • Ask for some database access and practice creating some aggregate fact tables under the guise of wanting to improve performance of your reports and dashboards. That'll force you to use SQL better with some basic ETL.
    Sep 9, 2019 0
  • Davey
    leetRabbit

    Davey

    leetRabbit
    SQL isn't tough but is mandatory for you to quickly fetch/manipulate data and is used even with tools like tableau..SQL to BI is like DS and Algo to a SWE..you will need it every time you interact with data.. you have lot of tools you have which have a nice SQL designer interface.
    Sep 9, 2019 0
  • Yes, SQL is a must.

    Entry level is probably select where having joins subquery, derived tables, keys, data types, union vs intersect vs union all vs minus and minus all. Least Id ask entry level those questions.

    More advanced is correlated subqueries and why not to use them, sql optimizing, proper indexing, sliding windows, ordered analytics (rank vs dense rank vs rownum),CTE when to use them. Etc. Hash partitioning vs round robin partition blah. Blah

    Being an ass is printing off a long explain plan. Lol
    Sep 9, 2019 0