SQL Insights: In Conversation With Ken Kaijage

The SQL Skills Assessment from LearnSQL.com is more than just a test; it's an opportunity to validate your practical SQL proficiency with hands-on tasks, covering six competency areas. It's a comprehensive way to showcase your ability to solve data problems and create reports using SQL. Here’s an extract from our talks with SQL experts.

Today, I have the pleasure of talking with Ken Kaijage, a distinguished Senior Healthcare Economics Analyst who recently passed our SQL Assessment with flying colors and earned a Certificate of Competency in SQL. We'll delve into his journey, gather valuable insights, and discover what makes him a recognized expert in SQL.

Please introduce yourself and explain how you've integrated your skills in data management and process improvement into your roles in luxury and tech SMBs.

My name is Ken Kaijage and I am 26 years old with a Bachelor's degree in Statistics with minors in Computer Science and Economics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. With four years in the corporate world in various industries such as the financial, consulting, and healthcare industries I have integrated my skills into my roles through problem-solving, curiosity, communication, accountability, and collaboration. The biggest thing that has helped me adapt and thrive in these industries is my willingness to learn and communicate. 

Since these industries are different in the data and business perspectives, it was imperative for me to learn how they function, ask questions to my managers, stakeholders, and teammates, and collaborate in order to increase my learning and understanding to solve the problems of the business. 

I learned that although having skills such as SQL, Python, Excel, and others are very important to solve different types of problems, it is more important to understand the domain knowledge of the industry that your role is supporting and how that problem relates to the challenges of the industry so that you have a better understanding to implement strategies to solve the problem. 

In my current role in the healthcare space, it has been a great journey so far. Lots of challenges and room for growth, learning, and development and I am excited to see how far my role will help advance my career.

How long have you been using SQL and what are its main applications for you?

I have been using SQL since August 2021. I first started using SQL through an internship in college in 2019 and it is where I was introduced to it as my college courses mostly focused on other programming languages such as Python, R, and Java but after that internship ended, I didn’t use SQL until 2021. 

During my internship in 2019,  I mostly used SQL Server and did data manipulation and data creation such as creating base tables and views as we had to develop a star schema and the data layer to be used in Power BI.

In the corporate world, SQL Server was still my main database but later got introduced to MySQL, Postgres, Azure Data Studio, Visual Studio Code(Through a SQL Server Image in Docker in MacBook for personal projects), and now Snowflake for my current role. 

In my 3 years of using SQL, I have used LEFT JOINS, INNER JOINS, FULL JOINS, UNIONS, SubQueries, CTEs, Window Functions, and Correlated Subqueries (This stuff is tough and takes lots of thinking to execute this) have helped my supervisors to build stored procedures, tables, and views to improve our processes and provide the tools to answer questions and solve problems. 

As business intelligence continuously adapts and grows, what particular skills or areas are you keen on developing further or enhancing?

In my current role, I am responsible for building the processes and the data infrastructure which has given me the opportunity to collaborate with data engineers to acquire new data sources. Because of this, I have an interest in pivoting to the data engineering realm as I gain more opportunities in database architecture.

I also want to gain more experience in using Tableau for reporting. I have used it here and there in the last two years but haven’t really dialed it in fully. In my current role I will use Tableau more frequently to build reports for my team and stakeholders. 

I also have an interest in going to graduate school to get a master's degree in the Analytics space to expand my learning, build my network, and gain new skills that will serve in my career advancement.

What drove you to undertake the SQL Assessment? Was it to challenge your abilities, or did you have a specific goal, like earning the certification?

It was mostly to challenge my abilities. I knew I was good at SQL but wasn’t sure If I was truly proficient or an expert so I decided to take it. The assessment did highlight some areas of growth that I need to work on such as correlated subqueries and knowing the correct joins to use.

What strategies did you employ to prepare for and succeed in obtaining the Certificate of Competency in SQL?

Time management and treating the problem like a jigsaw puzzle. Some problems had more time to solve which allowed me to think deeply about the best code to write for that particular problem.

During the SQL Assessment, which segments did you find to be the most challenging?

The Complex SQL Reports segment. That was tough, I needed to think critically there and the JOINS segment I honestly made that harder on myself than it needed to be. That was on me not evaluating the correct join to use for the problems.

What guidance would you offer to those aspiring to become Healthcare Economics Analysts or considering transitioning into this career?

Have the growth mindset and the willingness to learn not just for the healthcare industry but for any industry you want to work in. Each industry has its own data and business challenges and you’ll have to learn the ins and outs of that industry so that you’re equipped to solve the problems and offer new solutions that will allow the company to grow and evolve. 

Invest time in your skills development, be curious and take advantage of new opportunities in your role and company, and build your network through going to the office or attending happy hours and events with your team. I believe they will help you grow in your career regardless of what type of role you’re in.

In today's increasing demand for data expertise, what do you believe will give candidates a competitive advantage in 2024?

Having the technical skills and the expertise for sure is very important as well as the experience of using those skills combined with your willingness to learn. Furthermore,  having a growth mindset and being able to collaborate with anyone to solve problems will give you a competitive advantage in this market.

Thank you for this insightful conversation.

If this conversation has inspired you, explore the possibilities that mastering SQL can unlock for your career. Visit LearnSQL.com for a free SQL Skills Assessment and start your journey toward obtaining your Certificate of Competency in SQL.