Hi, I’m Olga! I have years of experience in data science, most recently at eBay and now I work as an industry mentor at Pathrise. I help data scientists land a great role through technical workshops and 1-on-1s. Check out my review of SQLZoo.
- What does SQLZoo do?
- Who is SQLZoo for?
- What does SQLZoo cost?
- Ratings and reviews of SQLZoo
- Alternatives to SQLZoo
- How does SQLZoo compare to Pathrise?
What does SQLZoo do?
SQLZoo is a free Wiki for people looking to learn more about SQL (standard query language), a common programming language used by data scientists. They offer tutorials for beginners with no prior knowledge. They also have references and resources for intermediate and advanced data scientists looking to brush up on their skills. Users have access to several SQL engines, sample databases, and practical exercises. The site provides instant feedback on the challenges.
Beginners can work through 9 primary lessons. Each include 10+ exercises that range in difficulty level from total novice to very challenging. Those who complete the exercises get hands-on experience writing different SQL queries, including selects and aggregations, as well as running their code live. Each lesson includes videos, short readings, reference sections, and assessments. Most users can complete all of the exercises in about 20 hours. After finishing the lessons, users will have the tools to write queries and work with databases.
Who is SQLZoo for?
Current and aspiring data scientists can benefit from SQLZoo. The tutorials are especially helpful for those with no prior SQL knowledge. But, the SQL references and resources can be useful for intermediate and advanced data scientists as well.
What does SQLZoo cost? How much work is involved?
SQLZoo is free. To keep track of their progress, users can create an account with their email address.
Ratings and reviews
In general, online reviews of SQLZoo are positive. They mainly focus on how the tool is a useful resource for learning SQL from scratch.
Skillcrush, a tech bootcamp, featured SQLZoo on their list of the best 25 ways to learn SQL online for free. Other websites, including Vertabelo Academy, code(love), and Javarevisted, listed SQLZoo as a top resource for learning SQL as well.
Users on a Reddit thread recommended SQLZoo for those looking to “learn the nuts and bolts of SQL first”. A reviewer from SQLBOT with no prior coding reported that the course did not take too much time to complete. They said that you could “finish the course in a weekend”. They recommend that all users “complete the auxiliary practices and watch the videos.”
Those in the data science industry praised SQLZoo as well. One Quora user said that “SQLZoo was recommended to me by multiple recruiters from Facebook”. Another Quora user with a background in statistics recommended SQLZoo to beginners. They said it “has a strong interface to see the visual graphics of your query instantly. The best way to improve your SQL skills at the very beginning,” explains the user, “is creating an environment in which you can see the instant visual feedback.”
But, one Slant reviewer was disappointed with the “lack of community”. They noted that SQLZoo “does not have a forum or any aids for assisting with quizzes.”
Alternatives to SQLZoo
If you decide not to use SQLZoo, there are a number of alternative resources and bootcamps that teach data science skills.
- Metis has part-time introduction courses as well as onsite and online bootcamp options. Learn more about Metis in our review.
- edX is one of the largest online learning platforms. They have courses from top universities like Harvard and MIT as well as big tech companies like Microsoft. Learn more about edX in our review.
- You can check out Udacity and Springboard. These online educational platforms can be used to brush up on the basics or advance current tech skills. Read more about Udacity and Springboard in our reviews.
- Those who are interested in using online learning platforms to further their data science skills can also consider Coursera, Udemy, and edX.
- Similarly, Codecademy is one of the most popular coding programs online. They provide free courses on many different programming languages. They also offer membership options ranging from $20 to $40 per month for more course options and greater support. Learn more about Codecademy in our review.
- Free online resources, SoloLearn and the Mode tutorials have tracks in SQL, as well as other programming languages.
- Similarly, 365 Data Science is a low-cost and low commitment option to learn data fundamentals.
More alternatives
- One of the most well known bootcamps is General Assembly. They offer full-time, part-time, and 1-day courses on a variety of topics like data science, software engineering, UX design, digital marketing, product management, and more. Read more about General Assembly in our review.
- Similarly, Lambda School, Byte Academy, Zip Code Wilmington, and Flatiron School offer tracks in data science, as well as other subjects.
- Or, consider Kal Academy, which works with women and underrepresented groups on software engineering, web dev, and data.
- Aspiring data scientists with graduate degrees in data-centric fields can check out The Data Incubator and Insight.
- If you are starting from scratch, you can consider the self-paced course at Data Science Dream Job. Or, check out K2 Data Science, which is a part-time, online program.
- DataCamp, Dataquest, Promotable, Divergence Academy, QuickStart, and Data Science Dojo are also options for current and aspiring data scientists.
- People with experience who are looking to do machine learning projects as they look for jobs can consider SharpestMinds.
- If you prefer in-person classes, check out Magnimind or Principal Analytics Prep, which have full-time and part-time data science courses.
How does SQLZoo compare to Pathrise?
SQLZoo is a useful tool for data scientists who are looking to learn SQL from scratch or brush up on the basics. However, SQLZoo does not provide instruction, community, or job-seeking guidance of any kind.
Pathrise is a full service organization that works with data scientists on each step of their job search. Fellows work with their mentors in workshops and 1-on-1 on career and industry-specific curriculum. This includes resume & LinkedIn optimization, behavioral interview preparation, technical concepts and interview practice, negotiation, and more.
Advancing technical skills is a crucial component of landing a job as a data scientist. Fellows in our program can use SQLZoo, as well as our technical workshops, to advance their data science skills.
Pathrise is a career accelerator that works with students and professionals 1-on-1 so they can land their dream job in tech. With our tips and guidance, we’ve seen our fellows interview scores double.
If you are interested in optimizing your job search by working 1-on-1 with a mentor, become a Pathrise fellow.
Apply today.
