I need some advice from the user community. Please excuse me if this is not the right forum. My background: degreed, senior leader in a great company, mid-career, currently over corporate intelligence, data management, analytics and computer mapping / visualization. Versed in statistics, SPSS, modeling and predictive analytics, spatial analysis, SQL, GIS, and other fun stuff. I have been curious about SAS for a long time and would like to one day be a strong user of the software. I am starting from scratch and really know nothing about the different applications but want to learn as much as possible. If feasible it would be nice to gain a SAS certification. Knowing what you all know from the industry, the software and such...what would be your recommendation for training (and experience)? If you were an SAS power user and you worked for me at my company, what would you expect me to know so that we can communicate and we are all happy and successful? I have read all of the training and support stuff on the SAS website. Are these different classes useful? Maybe someone could explain to me the difference or pros/cons between programming SAS and using a GUI? Are there colleges or outside organizations that also teach the software or is it just through the company? Lastly, if your so inclined please tell me how you got your start, your career progression and your progression with the software. This may be helpful in putting all of this in context. Thank you. Aaron K akreag@enexp.com
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