I'm going to spend the next three or four years dedicated to achieving the credentials I need to help me find employment as a DBA (database administrator). I was wondering if there is anyone that posts here who is a current DBA. If so, could you tell me what would help me look more appealing to employers. I'm planning to master the following programming languages: MS SQL and Oracle SQL Visual Basic Finetune my C++ skills Become MCSD certified as well as Oracle Certified I could add MCSE, but I would prefer to specialize in managing databases. Anyone out there able to give me some pointers? ------------------
1) 3 or 4 years? It doesn't take that long. 2) MS SQL and Oracle sound ok. If you're going down the MS path, you'll use Access primarily in the beginning (b/c of scale and extensibility). 3) Don't waste your time in C++. Learn java servlets, .jsp, etc. 4) The MCSD certification helped me, but that was a few years ago. If anything concentrate on java certification... nothing else. Only do it if you like programming. Database programming can be fun, if you like doing data designs, etc... but it will be very boring for anyone else. Don't just do it for the money. ------------------
That's great. The sooner the better (maybe two years of study?). I won't be doing it for the money alone even though I must admit that it is a huge incentive for me to be wheeling in the cash. Administering databases seems appealing to me so that's why I chose it instead of networking. Thanks for the advice, Achebe. ------------------
I get by on SQL Server and VB. Oracle is apparently big (i.e. bigger) in other industries, but everyone seems to license SQL Server in Health Care. ------------------ Cohen
I too am searching out a career in DBA. I don't mind boring and redundent work. Right now I am learning access and hope to take some classes. Lucky for me, when i transfered to my job, our company decided to go Oracle, so I get a hugh opportunity to move up and get a free education. ------------------ Nice guys finish last ... and im surely not going to finish last!
Those of you wanting to be DBA's better have thick skin. I've known several DBA's and talk about having your neck on the block if something goes wrong... yeesh. It can be very difficult work and your entire company may depend on your one DROP, ALTER, or SELECT statement... ...I could never stand that kinda pressure ------------------ "Ive seen more class at a Pig Humpin Contest ." -- moestavern19 makes headlines again, and in the process leaves little doubt as to what Saturday nights in his hometown of Lompoc, California are like.
That's why you should never be a DBA as an employee of a company. If you are going to do DBA work, do it as a consultant. It makes the stress easier to take, and you can charge top dollar if you are good. ------------------ "Blues is a Healer" --John Lee Hooker
I think I can suck it up and take it like a man. Anyone in the IT industry is going to be under some stress. My brother is a network admistrator and has been stressed out on a few occasions, but he likes what he does. Plus, I'm not going to start out as the premier IT guy in the company. I have to take an entry level job in program/system maintanence to get a few years' experience under my belt. Yeah, but you are right. If I was the #1 option for a large corporation I would be sweating bullets. ------------------
