Summary of "Do THIS Instead of Watching Endless Tutorials - How I'd Learn SQL FAST (2025)"
Summary of "Do THIS Instead of Watching Endless Tutorials - How I'd Learn SQL FAST (2025)"
This video by Josh, a data and AI engineer at DoorDash (formerly at Google), presents a practical, structured approach to learning SQL efficiently for aspiring data professionals. Josh emphasizes the importance of SQL as a foundational skill for rapidly growing tech roles such as data engineers, data analysts, and data scientists, supported by labor statistics forecasting significant job growth.
Main Ideas and Lessons
- SQL is Essential and Future-Proof:
- SQL is a critical skill for data engineers, analysts, and scientists.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 35% growth in related jobs from 2022 to 2032.
- SQL ranks alongside Python as one of the most important programming languages in the software industry.
- Learning SQL Efficiently: A Four-Step Methodology
- Understand Prerequisites: Database Management Systems (DBMS)
- Start with a quick, foundational DBMS course to grasp basic concepts.
- Don’t spend too much time here; it’s just to prepare for SQL learning.
- Focus on the Most Important SQL Concepts (Covering 80% of Use Cases)
- Concentrate on 10 key SQL terms and commands:
SELECTFROMWHEREJOINGROUP BYHAVINGORDER BY- Subqueries
- Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
- Window functions
- Use SQL Bolt, a free, browser-based platform with 18 interactive lessons and quizzes.
- Aim to complete all lessons in 1-2 weekends.
- After each lesson, write a short takeaway summary.
- Maintain momentum over perfection.
- Optionally, listen to low-fi music to aid focus.
- Concentrate on 10 key SQL terms and commands:
- Follow a Structured, Guided SQL Course for Depth and Practice
- Avoid random tutorials; use a structured path like Mode Analytics SQL Tutorial.
- Mode offers cloud-based notebooks and real-world datasets for hands-on practice.
- The course progresses from basics to advanced topics (e.g., SQL date formatting).
- Each lesson ends with practice problems and encourages modifying queries.
- Embrace struggle as a sign of learning.
- Practice Interview Questions and Build Projects
- Use Data Leour’s free SQL interview bank for real interview-style, auto-graded questions.
- Suggested 3-week sprint:
- Week 1: 5 easy questions daily
- Week 2: 3 medium questions daily
- Week 3: 2 hard questions daily
- Keep an error log with brief notes on mistakes to review later.
- Build a project to demonstrate skills:
- Use Mode Analytics’ “business analytics training cases” with raw data and business problems.
- Frame a hypothesis in plain English.
- Complete the project in Mode’s workspace.
- Publish the project on GitHub with a 60-90 second video walkthrough.
- Projects show storytelling ability, which employers value over just tutorial completion.
- Understand Prerequisites: Database Management Systems (DBMS)
Additional Tool Highlight: AI-Powered Presentation Builder (Sponsor: Gamma.app)
- Gamma.app helps create presentations quickly using AI.
- Example use case: Explaining SQL window functions.
- Generates slide outlines, visual enhancements, and complex examples.
- Allows easy editing and sharing.
- Popular with 50 million active users and 700,000 decks created daily.
- Recommended for efficiently building presentations related to SQL learning or projects.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize foundational knowledge and focus on high-impact SQL concepts.
- Use interactive, practical resources instead of passively watching tutorials.
- Practice consistently with real-world problems and interview questions.
- Build and share projects to demonstrate applied skills.
- Leverage AI tools like Gamma.app to communicate learning effectively.
- Momentum and practice are more important than perfection or endless tutorial consumption.
Speakers / Sources Featured
- Josh – Data and AI Engineer at DoorDash, former Google employee, main presenter and guide throughout the video.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Cited for job growth statistics.
- SQL Bolt – Free interactive SQL learning platform.
- Mode Analytics – Platform offering structured SQL tutorials and business cases.
- Data Leour – Provider of free SQL interview practice questions.
- Gamma.app – AI-powered presentation building tool, video sponsor.
This video is a comprehensive, practical roadmap for quickly gaining SQL proficiency and preparing for data-related tech roles by combining foundational knowledge, focused practice, real-world projects, and efficient communication tools.
Category
Educational