Do you have a strong interest in information technology (IT) and want to work in the field? The position of database administrator is one that you might want to think about. What a database administrator performs will be explained in this career guide along with steps on how to become one.
What is a Database Administrator?
Information organization, security, and authorized access are requirements for a wide range of companies. The database administrator’s responsibility is to make sure that the organization’s databases are well-maintained and that the data is secure. Data integrity must be maintained, and any necessary updates or modifications to the database environment must be made by the database administrator.
What Does a Database Administrator Do?
Any of the following tasks could be performed by a database administrator on any given day:
- Consult with CEOs and department heads to determine the organization’s database requirements.
- Design new databases for the company and write the new data architecture’s code
- Check for problems in both new and established databases to ensure correct operation.
- To keep the data secure, evaluate and improve security methods.
- In the event of a security breach or technical issue, make a backup of your data and, if necessary, restore it.
An organization that requires one or more databases can hire a database administrator. For computer corporations, financial and insurance companies, educational institutions, and logistical businesses, a lot of database administrators are employed. more work in the healthcare industry, retail, or manufacturing, while still more are employed by municipal, state, or federal governments.
Average Salary for Database Administrators
According to Indeed.com, a DBA can expect to earn an annual salary of $90,037 on average. Salary ranges from about $60,000 to more than $133,000 per year. Specific earning potential may be influenced by a range of variables, including location and experience. For instance, DBAs who work in Washington, D.C., report earning $105,093 year, which is 17% more than the national average.
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Workplace for Database Administrators
The majority of DBAs are employed by computer system design firms, followed by other corporations and organizations with sizable databases, like colleges and government agencies. DBAs may frequently work in the banking, healthcare, or telecommunications industries. Usually, they are found in server rooms or offices. Working on computers for extended periods of time is a requirement of the job.
DBAs typically hold salaried full-time jobs. To help with particular database tasks like upgrades and migrations, many organizations hire contract DBAs. Most DBAs can anticipate working overtime or being on call, so there may be prospects for extra money.
Essential Qualities and Skills of a Future Database Administrator
Technical skills and soft skills (sometimes termed characteristics) are the two main types of abilities that are useful for aspiring database administrators. Let’s start by examining a few of the technical abilities that businesses look for in job seekers.
- Information technology troubleshooting skills
- Data integrity and security
- Programming languages including SQL,
- Python and PHP
- Installation, configuration and maintenance of Linux systems and databases in a Linux environment
- Microsoft SQL server implementation and administration
You’ll be able to acquire these technological talents with a bachelor’s in IT. Consider locating a mentor in your first job who is willing to offer constructive criticism so that you can work toward professional development.
A database administrator can benefit from having the following soft skills and character attributes in addition to these technical talents:
- observation of details
- talents in communication
- the capacity to manage time
- organizing abilities
- personality skills
- rational analysis
- aptitude for solving issues
These soft skills foster professionalism and leadership, which is another asset for professionals who want to work in management or other higher-level positions.
Getting Started as a Database Administrator
Schedule an appointment with your high school guidance counselor if the answer to the question, “What does a database administrator do?” appeals to you. Ask if you can add any relevant classes to your timetable that can help you get ready for your future after talking about your job objectives. Any coding and computer application courses will be beneficial.
You should aim to pursue a baccalaureate degree in information technology after high school. Prior to being prepared to hunt for your first entry-level employment, anticipate spending about four years in full-time education. After graduation, it’s feasible to acquire an entry-level database administration job, but you might discover that you require some prior experience as a software engineer or in another field.
By obtaining a pertinent graduate certificate, you can improve your career qualifications. Additionally, aspiring database administrators should consider obtaining one or more professional certifications.
Obtain a Degree in Information Technology
To become a database administrator, you must first obtain a baccalaureate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, after high school. You will learn the fundamentals of database construction and maintenance as well as technical skills in a variety of fields, such as platform technologies and networking, with a degree of this kind.
Depending on your college and program, the precise subjects you’ll study will change, but generally speaking, you can anticipate studying subjects like the following:
- Information technology networking fundamentals, including an examination of LANs, WANs, service providers, packets, hubs, routers, switches, and Internet protocols
- Maintenance of systems, including platform technologies, computing infrastructures, and computer architecture
- Database structure design, development, implementation, maintenance, and security
- Advanced subjects in relational databases, including object-relational databases and NoSQL databases, for use in business applications
- The creation, administration, and upkeep of infrastructure for virtual businesses and data centers.
Improve Your Credentials with a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
A bachelor’s degree in information technology may help you find employment in the industry, but you might need to gain further training and experience before applying for the position of database administrator. A Graduate Certificate of Completion in Information Technology Management is one excellent credential you can obtain to improve your career qualifications.
You can improve your understanding of IT competencies, such as subjects like information security and risk management, by earning this kind of graduate degree. Additionally, if you want to pursue a higher-level position, it will be crucial for you to hone your leadership style and abilities.
Obtain Certifications as a Professional Administrator.
Aspiring database administrators might boost their competitiveness as job applicants by obtaining professional certifications in addition to a graduate certificate. Database administrators can get a variety of credentials from third-party organizations like professional groups and software makers. The following are some certification examples:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Database
- Administrator Associate
- Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional
- Certified PostgreSQL DBA (CPSDBA)
- Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 8.0 Database Administrator
A certification typically requires passing an exam, which, depending on the organization, may be given online. Which credentials need to you obtain to improve your employability? You could want to search employment boards for the solution. Find the jobs that interest you the most, and then glance at the job description to see what certifications the hiring manager is looking for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a database administrator’s job description?
Database management and upkeep are the responsibilities of database administrators. The responsibilities of database administrators include ensuring that a company's databases are operational and backed up in case of memory loss, as well as maintaining compliance with a data management policy.
Is coding required for database administration?
For many tech jobs, the ability to code is necessary. Despite the fact that they typically have development knowledge, database administrators (DBAs) are not required to write code. You need not be concerned if you lack coding expertise.
Are database administrators employed in IT?
Database managers or administrators build and maintain databases that are appropriate for their organizations' requirements. These IT specialists are in charge of database maintenance, storage, security, and troubleshooting.
What is the best language for databases?
The top of the list is the SQL programming language, which is well-known among engineers for database creation. One of the most well-known and established database languages is SQL, which stands for Structured Query Language.
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