Computer Science

Career as a Database Administrator

  • Updated On: 16-Feb-2023
Career as a Database Administrator

Overview

The Database Administrator or DBA is the professional in charge of all activities involved in database design, development, installation, security, backup, and retrieval. The DBA uses database management systems software to manage their work.  

The DBA roles vary depending on the type of database, the process, and the capabilities of the DBMS software in use. It also depends on the nature of data and company work.

The job responsibilities of a DBA include:

  • Designing, implementing and maintaining Database System
  • Taking care of the security of the Database
  • Performance monitoring and making sure the fast response
  • Training the employee for Database management system use
  • Data Migration
  • Backup and Data Recovery
  • Troubleshooting
  • Communicating with the development and technical team to know about the proper functioning of database
  • Writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (metadata)
  • Controlling the database access permissions and privileges

The skills required to become a Database Administrator are:

  • Good communication and teamwork skills
  • Analytical and organisational skills
  • Knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL)
  • Knowledge of database design principles
  • Knowledge of database theory
  • Knowledge of RDBMS (relational database management system)
  • Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
  • Knowledge of database software and applications
  • General system management and networking skills
  • Troubleshooting and problem solving skills
  • Procedural skills to help design, debug, implement and test the Stored procedures, triggers and views
  • Knowledge of IBM DB2, Oracle eBusiness Suite, Oracle DB 8i/9i/10g/ 11i, Oracle RAC and Oracle 11g etc.
  • Big Data Hadoop, Mongo DB, No SQL, Google Cloud SQL are some new database technologies that a DBA must learn 


In today's digital world, database technologies are changing very rapidly, so to become a successful DBA and stay in the competition, one has to stay updated and keep learning new things.

Eligibility

To become a Database Administrator you required the bachelor's degree in computer science or information technologies at least. There are certification courses also available, Oracle Database Administrator and Microsoft SQL Server are two popular of them. If you go for a master's degree it'll be helpful for your career growth.

How to be there?

  • Get a bachelor degree in computer science or information technology.
  • Get any certification to be specialized.
  • Start your career as a database developer, or data analyst and gain experience
  • Go for a master degree to enhance your career

Work Hours

The job of a DBA is a typical 9 to 5 job, but sometimes if any technical issue occurred you need to work beyond these hours also. Some companies' offers work from home facility also.

Salary

The salary in this field totally depends on the company, experience, and the skills you have. An average salary for beginners can be 15,000 to 25,000. After having an experience of around 3-5 years, one can get a salary of 30,000 to 40,000 Or more.
The skills that can help you in getting a high salary are IBM DB2, Oracle eBusiness Suite, Oracle DB 8i/9i/10g/ 11i, Oracle RAC and Oracle 11g.

Career Scope

There are lots of job opportunities available for Database experts in the private and public sectors. Most IT companies that use computerized databases needed DBA. In today's digital world, the importance of database management and security getting increased and so has the demand for experts. Other than IT companies, the DBA can get jobs in the following sector also:
Financial Organizations
Management consultant firms
Hospitals
Central government
Universities and academic institutions
Any other organization that stores large amount of information and data

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Get something different every time

New challenges that will help you in growth personally and professionally both

Only needs a bachelor degree

Good salary after having an experience


Cons:

Sometimes stressful working hours

Sometimes feels boring with repetitive tasks like backup, restore, update etc.

Need to be available 24 hrs during emergency

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