Entry Level Job Profile — Database Administrator

Equivalent Job Titles — Database developer, database architect, database specialist, database analyst, and database manager.

Average Compensation — $67,041^vii

Job Outlook — Job growth for database administrators and other computer systems analysts and scientists is expected to be the fastest growing occupations through 2008 per the 2000-2001 Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by US Department of Labor.^viii

Responsibilities:

• Coordination with end-users – Gathering information about the needs of end users is essential to understanding the requirements of the users and ensuring that the correct data is captured in a database and available as output necessary parties.
  
  
• Design and testing of new database components – Including development of input/output requirements, tables and reports.
  
  
• Performance tuning – Tweaking database components, indexes and tables to achieve performance goals.
  
  
• Evaluation of new database tools – Test and recommend new database software and tools to management.
  
  
• Configuration of database servers – Including installation of database software and operating system software.
  
  
• Troubleshoot production database problems as needed – This can include interfacing with outside vendors and IT support staff to track down and solve performance problems.
  
  
• Administration of database security – Maintaining the list of authorized users and setting security rights (may give users access to only certain types of data).^ix This could also include firewall configuration and maintenance to keep unauthorized users from breaching the database server.
  
  
• Creation of ad hoc queries and reports as required by users.
  
  
• Migration of application upgrades from the development server to the production server.
  
  
• Scheduling and execution of database file back-ups.

Skills — A solid computer science background, with emphasis on programming is essential. So is a general business background since you need to communicate well with marketing and fulfillment personnel. In addition, you would need to possess the following attributes:

• A thorough understanding of relational database theory.
  
  
• Proficiency with the SQL language – SQL is currently the standard language for accessing and updating information in most relational databases.^x
  
  
• Strong web development skills – In the 21^st century it is almost a certainty that someone is going to ask you to make the information contained in your database accessible via the web. Therefore, familiarity with Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) and Java Server Pages (JSP) would strengthen your appeal to potential employers. ASP and JSP are technologies that you will encounter very often when attempting to make databases accessible on the Internet. Familiarity with Javascript, VBScript and XML would also be useful.
  
  
• Business acumen – Familiarity with the business you will be working for helps when designing databases. For instance, it would be much easier for you to communicate with end users and design a database for an airline reservation system if you have prior airline experience and understand the needs of the business.
  
  
• Familiarity with operating system software – Popular software such as UNIX, Linux, Windows 2000 and Windows XP will be the operating system software you will most likely encounter when installing a database on a web server. Understanding the nuances of these operating systems should make installation and troubleshooting of database software easier.
  
  
• Experience with object-oriented programming languages – As a database developer or administrator, you will frequently interface with programmers whose job it is to write programs to access the data in your database. Familiarity with popular languages such as Java, C++ and C# will make it easier to interact with programmers.

Education — A four-year computer science or MIS degree is usually required.^xi The reason is that database theory is complex and cannot be adequately taught in a single three-credit college course. Typical four-year computer science curriculums with database concentrations typically include three courses just on database theory (usually with clever names like Database 1, 2 and 3). For database developers, an MIS degree (or even a business degree with programming and database courses) might be preferable to a straight computer science degree since a large part of the job involves interfacing with end users.^xii

Certifications — The major database certifications available are all product specific. Therefore, you may wish to wait until obtaining employment prior to pursuing certifications to ensure you are following a qualification path for a product that your employer uses. Many certification programs, including Microsoft, recommend that you have a year or more of job experience prior to attempting their certification exams. Earning certifications can beef up your paycheck. A recent survey indicated that the average salary increase for Microsoft certifications was $5,778 and $7,471 for Oracle certifications.^xiii

1. Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) – This is the premier certification for database professionals working in a Microsoft environment with SQL Server. The certification consists of passing a series of four examinations and Microsoft recommends a minimum of one year of experience in a Microsoft environment prior to passing this examination. Three core exams, two covering SQL Server and one covering network administration must be taken, plus one elective exam. (www.microsoft.com/traincert/)
2. Oracle Database Administrator – Oracle certifications cover all aspects of designing and administering databases on the Oracle platform. This is a rigorous certification comprised of five exams. This certification is well respected by employers because the exams are difficult and comprehensive. (www.oracle.com/education/)
3. IBM Certified Specialist DB2 – Entry level certification for demonstrating proficiency with DB2. It consists of only one exam. There are higher levels of certification, which focus more on administration than usage and programming. (www-1.ibm.com/certify/index.shtml).