Date:         Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:55:45 -0400
Reply-To:     "Viel, Kevin" <kviel@SJHA.ORG>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Viel, Kevin" <kviel@SJHA.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Skill Sets needed to be considered a SAS programmer
In-Reply-To:  <017a01cb0a2b$d7a72cc0$86f58640$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
> Lizette Koehler
> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 8:36 AM
> To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Skill Sets needed to be considered a SAS programmer
>
> I was just wondering how you know when your skills are sufficient in SAS
> to
> be classified as a SAS programmer?
>
>
>
> I have been doing SAS off and on for over 10 years.  So I can code it, but
> I
> am not strong in some areas like MACRO or SQL SAS.
>
>
>
> How would I judge that I could take on a job function that requires a SAS
> programmer?  Is there a skill set cheat sheet?  Or something I could use
> to
> gage my level of SAS coding with job requirements out there?
>
>
>
> I would love to go more into a research type function that would allow me
> to
> ask questions of raw data and produce valid analysis of it.
>
>
> However, I am not sure how much more training I need to do in SAS before I
> could be considered for some of those types of jobs.
>
>
>
> Also, would that require Programming Life Cycle knowledge as well?  If so,
> what should be I learning in that area.

Lizette,

It is perhaps good that you are weary of your skill set as it may mean you comprehend the potential catholic nature of (SAS) programming.  If you peruse the archives, I would be willing to bet that the most common piece of advice pertaining to MACRO is to learn how to write the code first.  MACRO will come as you need it.

The two best pieces of advice I might give would be to follow SAS-L and use it and immerse yourself in the task as the need to apply your skills will be the best means to improve them.

-Kevin



Kevin Viel, PhD
Senior Research Statistician
Patient Safety & Quality
International College of Robotic Surgery
Saint Joseph's Translational Research Institute

Saint Joseph's Hospital
5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE, Suite 330
Atlanta, GA  30342

(678) 843-6076:   Direct Phone
(678) 843-6153:   Facsimile
(404) 558-1364:   Mobile
kviel@sjha.org
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