Over 40 and Want to Upskill? Learn SQL!

You have several years of experience. Your work has even been written up in a few case studies. Yet, you still have a hard time finding the right path to improve your career. If that's true for you, the answer is to learn SQL. In this article, I'll tell you why.

Why learn SQL when you’re already an experienced professional? It’s always good to learn something new. You may want to pick up a new hobby, try out a different industry, or get a new skill to help your career.

If you're reading this, chances are the third one is what got you here. But you might think it's “too late” to learn new things.

A complete career change after 40 is very possible. The last few years have disrupted the way we learn, work, and live. The Internet provides us with a multitude of opportunities to improve our professional skills. And one of the most promising and in-demand skills is working with databases and data.

Data is everywhere. Computers and smartphones are an integral part of our daily lives, so people generate more data than ever. Being able to gather data, manage it, and interpret it is a sweet mixture. It will add flavor to your already tasty career.

You have probably worked with data all your life: making monthly, quarterly and yearly reports (which you can do quite easily with SQL), gathering different materials for presentation, doing research online to support your ideas before you pitch them. It’s all data.

Why You Should Learn SQL After 40

In 2022, data is king, but the ability to work with it is the real power. Getting comfortable in the world of databases is one of the most beneficial skills you can attain. And learning SQL is the way to database mastery.

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Don’t like to browse through loads of spreadsheets? Learn SQL and simplify your analysis!

Want to use a universal method to manage different kinds of data and databases? Use SQL.

Tired of waiting for data from the IT department when you’re putting together a report? Once again, SQL is the answer.

Whether you’re an accountant or an HR specialist, a marketing manager or an office administrator (or almost anything else), SQL will improve your daily work. You can find out all the benefits of SQL here.

But wait! Maybe you think you’ve been in your field so long that you know all the tricks of the trade. Oh, dear reader. There is still a world of professional satisfaction and development before you. SQL can be your means of getting there.

Already convinced? Good. Take the first step on the path of your improved career with our SQL from A to Z course.

What’s that? Do I hear a faint sound of doubt? Is learning SQL too hard?

Learning SQL is Easy

You: But Marcin, I'm afraid of programming. I just don’t have the technical skills to do it.
Me: Yes, you do!

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If you can write a sentence in English and understand what you’re reading in this article, you can learn SQL.

The thing is, the L in SQL stands for “Language”. It’s just a language you use to communicate with a database. You ask the database for some information; it’s as easy as that. Don’t believe me? Check out What Rebecca has to say about it in this how easy it is to learn SQL.

The syntax in SQL is simple. In comparison with other programming languages, SQL is a piece of cake.

Still not convinced? Let’s talk about motivation – how SQL can make your life better.

Learning SQL Will Make Your Life Easier

SQL is one of the most efficient ways of working with databases. If you are able to “speak” SQL, you will never again have to wait for anyone to get back to you with a .CSV file.

Moreover, replicating a previous analysis with updated data is a walk in the park. All you need to do is use a previously saved query and run it with new data.

I could go on about the benefits of SQL, but we’ve already done that; see this article on  why SQL is better than Excel for details. It’s packed with real-life cases demonstrating how easy working with databases is when you know SQL.

Learning SQL Will Make You a Better Boss

At this point in your life, chances are one of your responsibilities is managing a team or perhaps a whole department. This means one of your priorities is to improve their performance, motivation, or metrics. Learning SQL helps with all of these; being able to work with databases allows you to make better decisions, improve evaluati, and inspire your coworkers.

A comprehensive analysis allows you to present key findings to your team members as well as to your boss(es). It saves you time and energy, and you know what that means. Less stress and a better work environment.

If this section has piqued your curiosity, read this article to get the full scoop on being a better boss with SQL.

Learning SQL Will Help You Make Great Life Choices

What do I mean by that? Should you create a database with your life’s variables and manage it? Well, almost.

Maybe you feel stuck in your job, thinking there is nothing more you can achieve in your company. Or maybe you just need to mix things up. In either case, learning SQL might be the final push to make a change for the better.

As life goes on, we gather a lot of responsibilities: family, financial obligations, a general desire for stability. These things will always influence our career decisions.

You might have this old-fashioned and inapplicable attitude that it’s hard to find a good job or even change a career after 40.

False. Life is all about development: the development of new skills.

Scenario A

You want to stay in your industry, or even your company, but want to bring more to the table. And maybe get a sweet pay raise.

Take a SQL course. If you become proficient in working with databases you will become a great asset for your company. You’ll also be more independent and efficient. You’ll be able to help others to understand and get the most out of their data.

Don’t know where to begin? Try our SQL Basic Course for starters.

Scenario B

Yeah, it’s time for a major change. You've felt for a while that your current industry isn’t a good match. You want to work with hardcore data and have technical responsibilites. You want to get into the IT industry.

You:  But Marcin, I’m too old to change careers.

Me: You can do it, trust me. Lots of people change to an SQL role. Here’s a blueprint on how to land a data job.

Not yet convinced? Well, did you know that SQL is one of the skills recruiters most look for? Check out this graph. It shows the top 10 programming languages employers wanted in 2021:

Source:codingdojo.com

SQL is clearly an in-demand skill. To help you do some research on what opportunities are available, we’ve created this review of SQL job websites.

How to Prepare For a SQL Job Interview

So you want to learn SQL. Congratulations! As an avid life-long-learner, I’m proud of you. What’s that? you already see a job you’re interested in? That’s great!

Let’s boost your confidence so that you’ll be looking forward to the job interview. There are some common SQL-related questions you’ll be asked during such an interview. Some of them you’ll be able to answer after going through a few SQL courses.

Others might require some more knowledge. We’ve prepared a list of these SQL job interview questions and answers to help you out.

You Can Learn SQL at Any Age!

Age is just a number. It’s never too late to learn new skills. Working with databases will improve or change your career, and learning SQL is a great first step.

Plus, news skills will give you a confidence boost. You’ll be a more attractive candidate for a new job. Your boss will appreciate your effort. You will improve the lives of the people you work with. You as a person will grow and get a nice sense of achievement. And that’s an update to your database I hope you make as soon as possible!