Ask Slashdot: Getting Exchange and SQL Experience?

First time accepted submitter william.meaney1 writes "I'm the sole network admin at a 25 person company. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity less than a year after getting a technical degree in IT. I've had some huge opportunities here (for a first time network admin). After my schooling, I went ahead and I'm now CompTIA A+, Network+, and CCNA certified. Now, being hired out of school, I was grateful for the job, and the boss hired me for peanuts (Less than $30,000/year) I've been living at home, using that money for loan payments, car payments, and certification expenses. I've started looking for other work, and I feel more than qualified for most of the requirements I'm seeing. The big hurdle I'm coming across that EVERYONE seems to want is experience with SQL databases, and Microsoft Exchange. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for getting usable experience on a low budget. I have some SQL experience, I deployed a source control program here that uses a SQL express backend, but what else do you need to know for database maintenance?"

Just do it

[gewalker]

Install some critical app (without permission if necessary) on your current corp. network that uses SQL server -- Presto, instant experience.

"Just do it"?

[ArcadeMan]

Nike [wikipedia.org] would like to have a word with you.

Re:Just do it

[pastafazou]

You keep following the path you're on, you're liable to get burned....