I  have been teaching SQL Server for the last several years and am also the author of a new SQL training series, “Joes 2 Pros”.  Anyone who reads my books knows that the first page contains a big thanks to Koenig Solutions and Mr. Rohit Aggarwal. Koenig has played a giant role in my success. As excited as you might be about the experience of going to Koenig the best feeling you get is on the plane trip home knowing you did what you came to do. You now have the knowledge that it takes for a better career waiting for you.

During this last recession, the importance of having valuable skills became quite clear to me.  This realization came in a good way, as I continued getting great job offers despite rumblings in my area that good jobs had become scarce. The skills that came from the SQL training and certification opportunities which Koenig provides made the big difference. Everyone wants a better today and tomorrow, and when businesses realize you have what they need, your life can change.

Years ago I would have told you that after my first trip to Koenig, success finally found me in the form of a full-time position at Microsoft in Redmond.  The job meant great benefits, great pay, great people, and fun work. I feel very fortunate that my life today has progressed even further. Now most people learn about me as the authoring the popular SQL training “Joes 2 Pros” series of computer training books and an instructor passionate about helping students achieve their goals. I also teach night classes at the college and do consulting work for several local businesses. This means flexible hours and great pay.  Koenig is so valuable to me as an educator because people want to learn the latest and greatest technology. I get to learn this technology from experts in a very dedicated fashion.   Koenig is always first to offer training in the newest version. The first month the SQL 2008 certifications came out I was there at Koenig getting set up for what the next few years could bring. In fact if I remember right I was one of the first 100 in the world to pass that test.

Before my first trip to Koenig in 2003, my life was very different. It was during the worst part of the dot com bubble aftermath. Like many people at that time (i.e., coming off of a decade of an overheated job market, particularly in IT), my IT skills were ‘hit-and-miss.’  Employers were tough – they wanted what they wanted and there was no extra sympathy back then for any job seekers. It quickly became clear to me that I needed to improve my skills. It was time for more training, but where?

I discovered Koenig Solutions by doing an unusual search web search.  Ignoring price, I did a search for the maximum number of training hours. We have always known that schools with a good teacher ratio gives you better time and attention than schools with lower teacher:student ratios. I decided to ignore price and search on schools that gave me the most training hours and hands on practice. Koenig Solutions came up in my search with about twice as many training hours versus most other schools. And to my surprise, the price was even lower than these other abbreviated school models. Was there a catch?  Not really. If you’re willing to hop on plane to get your training, then it’s a great way to get twice the training for half the price.

Koenig Solutions helped me to pass 7 very important certifications, including the ones I use most in SQL Server. After returning home, my resume was stronger and interviews were so much easier. Armed with new knowledge and seven new certifications, I got a job within 1 week of coming home.  What a difference this decision made!

Koenig Solutions knew how to make everything about my trip perfect and tailor-made to suit my training needs. They took care of everything from beginning to end, and it was all included in the one price they gave me.  There was someone from the company waiting for you at the airport holding a Koenig sign with my name on it. It was the ultimate turnkey operation:  my lodging, location transportation, meals, and books were all set up for me throughout my entire stay. I even received a welcome kit upon my arrival at the airport with some spending money. If you have any individual needs or requests, they have a dedicated hospitality desk to help you.

Koenig Solutions has four locations and I have been there four times (once to each location). If you study well in a quiet “out of the way” place, then Dehradun or Shimla are beautiful mountain study getaways. If you study well in a place with sand and palm trees, then Goa is very nice. Taking a swim in the pool after each class really re-charged my mind. If you like the hustle and bustle of city amenities then you likely will choose Delhi.

My new favorite Koenig location is Dehradun at the Country House. It’s a riverside garden “Bed and Breakfast” with its own dedicated cook. Each morning I would wake up and watch the green parrots distantly singing in the tree across the river as we all ate breakfast together in the cabana under the banana tree. At night after class, I would study my books outside in the evening sun until it got too dark as the sun faded over the mountain range.

I highly recommend other students choose Koenig Solutions. The Simulated Internship’s hands-on experience is phenomenal, and they also offer one-on-one training options.  It’s a really great feeling when you are on the plane headed home and knowing you succeeded in accomplishing exactly what you set out to. One other thing I recommend is to consider the regular training, even if you are an expert. I teach and write books on SQL, yet I take the regular paced SQL training to keep current with the latest innovations. The regular paced training is ambitious yet ensures you have the time to do all the labs and focus on areas that may have surprised you. Remember that new stuff is getting created all the time in the IT realm, and when you know it well, you can help others and be of great value in the ever-changing workplace.

Thanks Koenig for everything.
Regards,
Rick Morelan