What credentials are needed to get a position as a database administrator?
April 29, 2010 by
Filed under schedule management software
I currently work in higher ed in a position overseeing database-driven scheduling software. It is not IT proper, however as the administrator of the software I work closely with DBAs. Since I started, I discovered I’m kind of a natural at working with SQL Server, enough to consider this as a career.
I have an B.S. in media management and have a background in radio. I was general manager for a small FM station and got a large dose of technical skill (both in radio engineering and information systems) while there. I am still quite young (mid-20s) and wondering how to get started in the IT world. I really don’t want to go back to school for a degree in computer science or information systems.
What are the requirements for a job like DBA? Could I obtain industry standard certifications that would help?
There are certifications, but I would focus on Oracle and MySQL before SQL Server.
Job requirements vary, since not every job requires the same things. Having a cert isn’t a standard or a requirement. However, experience is very important. Since you have an RDBMS background, you should be familiar with SQL. That can easily translate between platforms, since much SQL is a standard. You might want to pick up some of the other RDBMS technologies, like PL-SQL.
As a former DBA, I must stress that good DBA’s are now basically Data Architects, report smiths, and optimization wizards(not automated of course, but people who can dagnostically improve database throughput and resources). Most DBA’s must show 2-4 years of experience as a Data Developer or as a Senior Developer.
An excellent resume for a DBA would include bullets like this:
–Provided short interval and incremental backups for a Database for swift seamless restores
–Experience with the following Cluster technologies for high availability(list some)
–Plan level experience in high volume, 100,000 plus query per minute system
–Data warehousing schema implementations using some DataModeler Software
–Command mastery of PLSQL, TSQL, and/or PostGres SQL
–Implemented security procedures to resist SQL injection routines
Certifications are nice for foundation concepts, but they’ve become so commercialized, they’re absolutely no replacement for experience in the field. I’d urge you to transition your current job into a DBA 2 or 3 position, and then use your time on the job to implement a few resource and warehousing strategies.
Get yourself on one of the many MS certified SQL Server course:
http://learning.microsoft.com/Manager/Catalog.aspx?clang=en-US&dtype=Catalog&Sort=PublicationDateDescending&page=1&cats={1ba8b41f-c9fb-4e07-87e7-3d3943a51600}%3a{261ba873-f3ab-420e-96d6-e3004596a551}
A good place to start would be:
Course 50238A: Introduction to SQL Server 2008 Administration
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=50238A&Locale=en-us
There is even a learning plan specifically for the DBA role:
http://learning.microsoft.com/manager/LearningPlanV2.aspx?resourceId={8eebed58-5199-4ff8-a017-f6a22b8bfc35}&clang=en-US&cats={1ba8b41f-c9fb-4e07-87e7-3d3943a51600}%3a{261ba873-f3ab-420e-96d6-e3004596a551}
The basic requirement would be the capability to do the work. You don’t need a fancy degree or certification to get a job in this field (it certainly doesn’t hurt though). If you show up for the interview and can answer their questions, and have work experience, that might suffice.
The best background to have would be in computer programming, because that would give you the knowledge of how databsaes work, how to organize them to deal with large amounts of data. Designing small databases is easy. Designing large databses with referential integrity that store millions of records and are expected to recall them quickly is not.