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So you want to become a SAS Programmer?

 Due to a number of inquiries asking how does one become a SAS professional, I have created this document suggesting a number of tasks one can do to help answer some common questions on this issue:

Suggestions by Charles Patridge
  • For those of you who are interested in becoming SAS professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, there is a six month course given by Covance at Philadelphia University. More information is available on the web page I have created for this: http://www.philau.edu/continuinged/sascert.html

  • If you are new to the SAS world, I suggest you determine if there is a need for SAS professionals within commuting distance of your desired choice of residence. That is, make sure you can earn a living in the area you wish to reside in doing SAS work. Check the local classified ads to see who and where SAS skilled are needed for the past 6 months or so. You see, there is always a certain amount of turnover with any employer (for good and bad reasons). And, by going back six months, you should be able to see who uses SAS in your area. Then create a list of employers who seek SAS skilled employees/contractors.

    Is it possible that some of these potential employers may hire a SAS trainee?

  • Check with the career centers with local colleges and/or universities for possible employers seeking SAS talent.

  • Check a number of web sites for jobs requiring SAS skills - see my web site (www.sconsig.com) for a list of such sites.

  • For those of you who are motivated and "quick learners", you can order the SAS software for a Windows PC on a trial basis (60 days or so) by calling your local SAS representative or SAS Institute at 919-677-8000 (ask for software sales). You will need an above average PC to make SAS work satistfactorily - ask for the minimum requirements when ordering the software. And since you are requesting a trial version, you might as well ask for as many of the SAS products as you think you can learn in 60 days. The minimum products requested should include Base, AF/SCL, FSP, Graph, and Stat. And if you need more time to learn the products, you can always re-set your computer clock (hint) for more time!

  • Join and attend several of the local/regional SAS User Groups in your area. A list of these can be found on my web site (www.sconsig.com) or at SAS Institute's web site (www.sas.com). By attending these meetings, you can talk face-to-face with potential employers, network with SAS professionals, "snag" a possible SAS mentor, locate possible employment opportunities, learn some SAS as well, etc.

  • If you have the money and time, you can attend SAS training courses on your own. Contact SAS Institute for training schedules in your area. Be prepared to spend some money for training (about $500 or more for a 3 day training class). You can also contact other companies who provide SAS training - see my website (www.sconsig.com) for possibilities.

  • You might even approach potential employers as a low-cost contractor/employee willing to charge minimial rates/salary in order to learn SAS on the job. However, this will probably be very unlikely.

  • You could also see if your local college/university provides SAS training as part of their computer science, statistics, mathematics, biology, or social science degree programs. Then register for only those classes which provide this SAS opportunity.

  • There are also some good SAS sites that provide some tutorials on SAS which should provide some decent information on the basics of SAS. I suggest you visit my site (www.sconsig.com) for a list of such sites - "SAS Related Web Sites" or "Other SAS Related Web Sites" in the Table of Contents. The colleges and universities have some good ones.