Rather than learning a programming language I would encourage you to learn
basic database design, the different types of databases, and the limitations
of each. This is not DB administration which is more frequently taught, but
ultimately less useful. You should learn on something other than Microsoft
Access. We use PostgreSQL at the School of Library and Information Science,
IU, Bloomington. It is just flexible enough, but not as fussy as Oracle.
It's also free for download and very easy to install. Here are two really
good resources for learning:

Overall DB design: http://www.tomjewett.com/dbdesign/dbdesign.php 
Design and SQL: http://sqlzoo.net/ (this has a few flaws, but it's still a
great resource)

You also need to understand NoSQL and NewSQL. These are the real "Big Data"
databases that run behind Amazon shopping carts and smartphone alerts that
require transaction processing, not just storage.

http://www.labouseur.com/courses/db/Stonebraker-SQL-vs-NoSQL-2010.pdf Great
article on the difference between SQL and NoSQL, though he is prejudiced in
favor of NoSQL and doesn't mention SQLite.

http://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2012/11/156577-new-opportunities-for-new-sql/f
ulltext Brief and very simple description
Glossary: ACID = Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability, a
requirement for relational databases. NoSQL and New SQL are ACID compliance,
eventually where standard relational DBs are ACID immediately.

Best wishes,
Carol

Carol E.B. Choksy, PhD CRM PMP
CEO
IRAD Strategic Consulting, Inc.
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317-294-8329

Adjunct Lecturer
School of Library and Information Science
Indiana University, Bloomington
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