Question......

[BobbySixfingers]

Hi all, I'm new to these forums so please be gentle with me .

I have recently seen a job advertised which asks for someone to manage databases in Microsoft Access. Now, I've never used Access before. I was wondering how easy it would be for me to pick up. I'm fairly good on computers. The problem is that I'm a mac user so have no way to try the demo. If I studied online tutorials on the internet, do you think it would be easy enough to pick up and pretend I'm a regular user? A couple of people I've spoken to have said it's quite easy to use. Is this so? Am I setting an impossible task here?

Many thanks in advance for any advice you have.

p.s. what are the best tutorial sites out there that you recommend for Access?

 

[boblarson]

Hi all, I'm new to these forums so please be gentle with me .

I have recently seen a job advertised which asks for someone to manage databases in Microsoft Access. Now, I've never used Access before. I was wondering how easy it would be for me to pick up.

I would say that you would not be a prime candidate for this job. There's a lot more to Access than you might think.

If I studied online tutorials on the internet, do you think it would be easy enough to pick up and pretend I'm a regular user? A couple of people I've spoken to have said it's quite easy to use.

Easy to use, yes. Easy to manage - not necessarily.

Am I setting an impossible task here?

Unfortunately I think, while not impossible, is that you are not likely going to succeed in that position, especially if you have to make modifications to objects or code. It all depends on what is expected.

p.s. what are the best tutorial sites out there that you recommend for Access?

I personally like http://www.functionx.com as they have good Access tutorials as well as others.

 

[BobbySixfingers]

Ok then, this type of job really appeals to me. Is it worth me going on a course to learn this? How much on average would a skilled Microsoft Access/Excel person in the Midlands expect to be paid? And how often do these
sort of jobs come up?

Many thanks once again, sorry if these are 'Newbie' questions.

 

[neileg]

I think you're barking up the wrong tree. Excel and Access are used as part of a job. They don't constitute a job in itself, except in some rare cases. If you want a career in database development you need to look at studying some more heavyweight applications or development environments.

 

[boblarson]

And how often do these
sort of jobs come up?

Finding a full-time permanent Access development position is EXTREMELY rare. And finding one in a location where you are and don't want to relocate is even rarer.

Plus, if you think someone will hire you for an Access development job without a lot of experience, think again. It took me 11 years to get to where I have enough experience to be able to be hired as a full-time Access developer and that was even a close call.

It does depend on what the employer is looking for, but I would say if you want to do this, then get a job where you get to use Access and work your tail off in learning everything there is to know about Access and then you might eventually find something (although the liklihood is you won't and if you want to work full time with it then you would have to start your own consulting business).