Why Learning SQL Is a Must for Anyone Working with Data

In my early days of working with data, I saw SQL as just another technical hurdle to clear. It seemed like something you had to learn, but not necessarily something that would be central to everything I did.

Boy, was I wrong.

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The Backbone of Data Manipulation
Let’s face it, the world runs on data. Companies use it to make critical decisions, drive strategies, and optimize their operations. But here's the thing: much of that data is stored in databases. And databases? They speak SQL.

SQL is the backbone of how we access and manipulate data. If you're working with data, it's likely you're going to encounter a database sooner or later. And when you do, knowing SQL is going to be your secret weapon.

From Simple to Powerful
What I love most about SQL is how approachable it is. You don’t need a PhD in computer science to get started. With just a few basic commands, you can pull meaningful insights from enormous datasets.

At first, it’s simple: SELECT some data, filter it with WHERE, and sort it with ORDER BY. But SQL is deceptively powerful. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize you can do so much more—like combining data from multiple tables, identifying trends over time, or summarizing thousands of rows in seconds.

SQL scales with your needs. It’s as simple as you want it to be, and as complex as you need it to be.

Asking the Right Questions
The real magic of SQL isn’t just in getting data; it’s in asking questions of your data. Imagine having access to thousands of rows of raw data. Where do you even start? SQL gives you the ability to ask specific, meaningful questions:

• "What were our top-selling products last year?"

• "Which customers are at risk of churn?"

• "What’s our average order value by region?"

SQL lets you dive into the details and find the answers you need, quickly and efficiently. It saves time, eliminates guesswork, and empowers you to make better decisions faster.

The Bottom Line
To break into data, you’re going to want to be sharp in SQL (or as best as you can be).

So, if you haven’t already picked up SQL, now’s the time. Start with the basics, and build upon them!

Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

Talk soon,

DataDad