>>>>This isn't really chatter but I don't see a category which fits exactly, so here goes. I am looking at an opportunity which involves intensive (3 month) training in either C# or SQL Server. After that the company which offers the training assists you in finding a job. I am trying to decide which technology I want to pursue. From the POV of personal preference I could go either way, with maybe a slight edge to C#. Another factor, obviously, will be employment and salary prospects. I have looked on dice.com and there are 200+ openings for both in my area. (Boy, is that refreshing). Am interested to hear from anyone who thinks one or the other has a better job market, both now and going forward. I am also looking for a good reference for salary information. My googling must not be quite up to speed because so far I have not found anything very specific. Maybe I need a better methodology for finding salary data?
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>>>>Anything I should also be considering?
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>>>>Thanks in advance for any input!
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>>>It depends!
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>>>In the company I work for, DBAs make more than developers, but like Craig said, they are on call 24 x 7. Most of what they do would be boring to me
>>>(the whole backup thing). SPs and database tuning are interesting, but at Summit, developers write most SPs. Considering everything, I would stay on the developer path. OTOH, I think it is probably harder to off-shore DBA duties.
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>>I'm not sure about that. When I was with IBM (Global Services) the DBA's were located all over the country. I'm not sure why they weren't in India (wouldn't be surprised to find that it's there now) because it seemed that they could do everything via remote access of one flavor or another.
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>Probably true. I guess that just leaves the trades as the only things not off-shorable. Maybe my brother DID choose the safe career path (heating/AC).
>Can't install that stuff remotely!

Exactly the advice I would give my children today. My youngest son (now in mid 20's) was not cut out to be a college student. He's a waiter in a Madison Ave restaurant (NYC). I feel secure about his future (if he loses this job he can always find another. My oldest son (also mid 20's) is getting an MBA. If he gets downsized/rightsized/outsourced an equivalent new job could take weeks and or months to find.