upgrading to a database admin

[Bhaughbb]

In a recent performance review it was recomended that I keep learning new skills to improve my position in IT in the company I work for. In the weeks afterwards it's been heavily suggested I get very good at sql and sql server as we are trying to transition away from Access and go to a purely .Net interface for all our corporate apps and reporting systems and the closest thing we have to a full time database admin is a contractor who has worked with us for years but nobody truely in house able to do the job.

Advice on books to start with or courses to look into? I'm pretty capable in Access but have not had much experience in the server end of things or more advanced tasks like stored procedures, etc.

 

[FoFa]

I found the MS Sql Admin class (offered by a lot of different companies) was a big help. Also I subscribe to Sql Server mag. which is a help. But getting 4 or 5 books, a couple on Sql admin. a few on SQL and writting proceedures, functions, etc. helped a lot. Then the only thing left is time.

 

[Bhaughbb]

I knew I needed some books and taking a course or two would definately be beneficial but I was hoping for more of specifics at least along the books line as to Titles that people have found most beneficial in teaching and or references for a new Sql Server Admin.

 

[FoFa]

I use Microsofts Sql Server admin companion, mostly as a reference, and The Guru's guide to Sql Server (two of them) Transact-Sql and stored procedures, xml, html the most.

 

[Bhaughbb]

I'll check those out, thanks!