Microsoft role-based certification roadmap

Microsoft has certification paths for many technical job roles. Each of these certifications consists of passing a series of exams to earn certification. Microsoft certifications are organized into three levels: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert.

Based on the competences, you can chose the path that you need to start with the certifications. Mainly you can select certification in three different levels as Fundamental, Associate and Experts.  

Once after you select the correct path then you can select the exam that you want to do for that you can refer the below road-map which was introduced by the Microsoft (February 2019)

SQL Server 2008 End of Support Deadline Approaching: July 9, 2019

If you are still using SQL 2008 or 2008 R2, then this is the high time to move in to the latest version or migrate into the Microsoft Azure cloud.

End of support means the end of security updates, which may lead to security and compliance issues and put applications and data at risk if no action is taken.

Options that available

The Information Technology owners and operators to begin planning a migration path to the latest version (SQL Server 2017) as soon as possible. If your organization cannot update before the end of support deadline (July 2019), please consider the following options to extend security updates for SQL 2008 and SQL 2008R2 for up to 3 additional years:

1: Migrate your legacy workloads to the Microsoft Azure cloud

Microsoft is offering 3 additional years of free security updates for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 databases rehosted to Azure SQL Server Managed Instance (PaaS) or Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS).

This option provides:

• More time to complete your upgrade process;
• Up to 80% cost savings by moving your existing SQL Server and Windows Server licenses (leveraging Azure Hybrid Benefits) and reserving capacity;
• Security built into Azure, plus more than 70 compliance certifications.

2: Buy Extended Security updates for SQL Server 2008 and 2008R2

You purchase an Extended Security Update subscription at 75% of full SQL Server license cost per year, for up to three years after the end of support date. Eligibility requires active Software Assurance or Subscription licenses under an Enterprise Agreement.

Reference: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2008