What are the best database administrator qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming a database administrator? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective database administrator?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Oracle is much more lucrative than SQL Server

I want to become a Database Administrator what do need to know?

Taiwo in Fort Worth, Texas said: Is it a good idea to have a combine training on both Oracle DBA and MS SQL Server DBA to increase the chance of getting a DBA job? OR which one of the DBAs skills mentioned is more lucrative?.

I think both are equally marketable

YOu can do certification..like i just completed my oca certification from
dvds from cpisolution.com. I completed my oca certification jsut installed oracle database from oracle site and studied everything through video..even i have completed my oca certification..Currently giving my ocp certification..but for that hands on experience is a must..
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Certifications will only get you so far. The real-world experience is far more important. I got my first break at DBA work when a manager noticed that I had a very strong aptitude for working with a Filemaker Pro program - and I was asked if I was interested in doing database work. The rest is history - been doing database work now for over 15 years and still love it.
So two things:
- Get your first break by showing aptitude, even if you're not in a traditional DBA job.
- Certs will help show that you know can administer the system, etc.
- BUT, you MUST know the concepts of relational databases INSIDE and OUT in order to be really effective as a DBA.

Good luck -
Rich H.
Northfield Falls, VT

I want to become a database administrator.I need advice on what to know.

Uduakobong in Mountain View, California said: I want to become a database administrator.I need advice on what to know.

Here are a few ideas to be well-rounded as a DBA:

- Learn the design aspects, such as entity diagramming, normalization, and how to design and build an efficient relational database.
- Learn as much as you can about querying with SQL. Every DBA knows SQL. You shouldn't be any different.
- Reporting. If the data goes in, but never comes out, what's the point? Cognos Reports, Crystal Reports, etc are common tools used for reporting. This should be the easy part to learn.
- Your problem solving skills and the ability to think algorithmically are very important. Often times you may need to refactor an existing database. There are many more situations where you will need to "tweak" existing databases as opposed to building new ones.
- You can focus on specific vendor certifications if you want (Oracle, SQL Server, mySQL, whatever), but I firmly believe that the more you know of your fundamental database concepts and practices, you should be able to use any vendor's implementation with some minor adjustments.
- Industry wants certifications. A bachelor's degree in a computing discipline, and a certification will get some attention.

Hope that helps. I've been working with databases for over 15 years and am still learning new tricks. It does get easier with time and experience.

-Rich

Hi,
Let me tell you my story. I have been in web development since 2 years with strong database knowledge of SQL Server, but newbie for Oracle though I have an OCP certification. I got less opportunity in Oracle. And the opportunities which I got were very less than what i was expecting.
So what i can conclude from my experience is, certify your self if you are a dba!

i want to know the qualifications for this job

i am doing my masters in systems,, and completed my graduation in computer application.. nw i want to become ad at base administerator.. could u pls sugest me sir

barrettnjeri in Spanish Town, Jamaica said: i want to know the qualifications for this job

Typically, a Bachelor's degree in some area of computing is needed, in which you would have taken at least one database course.

Most companies will ask that you are proficient in a specific vendor implementation, such as Sql Server, Oracle, etc. PLUS, you should also have a good grasp of at least one programming language, preferably two. If you study Oracle or want an Oracle DBA job, you will need to know Java. You can get away with VB.NET, C#, or C++ with a SQL Server DBA.

It's helpful to know how to use a programming languages API for accessing different types of databases as well.

Get certified as either MCITP-DBA (Microsoft), OCP or OCM (Oracle), or IBM's DB2 database. These are three of the largest in use. I've decided to focus on mySQL and MS SQL Server.

The key is to do LOADS of hands on practice on your own machine in your own spare time. That is how I've learned a lot, plus taken several graduate level courses in databases as well.

Hope this helps!
Rich

Many thanks. Your advice is very helpful

Hello: Sir I am new in NY. I completed my bachelor in Economics back in my home country. If I want to take DBA as my profession what certifications do I need to have? Can I take DBA as my profession here? I badly need advice... thanks in advance.

Hi Ripon:

Try to think about transferable skills that might be useful from Economics. Most DBAs are fairly quantitative minded, have outstanding problem solving, critical thinking, and programming skills. There are boot camps available for the different database vendors (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, etc), that may help train you and prepare you for the certifications. The Oracle certification (OCP and OCM, Oracle Certified Professional and Oracle Certified Master) are well respected in the database community. There are many DBAs that do not have computer science or IT degrees, but I think those people may have had to work a little harder to get to be DBAs. There's so much one learns in the computer science/IT degrees that is applicable to being a DBA. If you haven't had any computing/IT training or coursework, I would highly recommend doing so.

Typically, DBA jobs look for a Bachelor's in Computer Science, MIS, or IT. DBAs also usually know at least one programming language.

Everyone's case is different, but in general, if you can demonstrate some of those DBA skills in a concrete way, and can get certified (either Oracle, or Microsoft, or IBM), then your chances of entering the DBA profession is greatly improved.

If you're not doing any data-related work now, be sure to seek out projects where you can get some hands-on experience either by doing data analysis, or learning how to query the database, etc. You can also consider gaining experience through volunteering in open source projects as a junior/entry-level DBA. I've done a bunch of open source projects in my early career.

Lastly, be absolutely sure you know what you're getting yourself into. There are complexities within the database world that are not for the faint-of-heart. It's an awesome profession, and most of us do it for the challenge and enjoy working with data, plus it pays well.

I hope this helps a little bit! Best wishes to you
-Rich

thank you for your kind advice.

Another thing I want to know is bachelor in CIS is helpful in this field?

Hi again,
Yes, a bachelor's in CIS (assuming you mean Computer Information Systems) is an excellent preparation for these types of roles. This type of degree gives you (or should give you) the problem solving and analysis skills that are critical in IT. Most of those programs have a course in database systems; and perhaps a course in systems analysis & design, which I highly recommend. You want to make sure you get as much hands-on practice as possible in any CIS program, as that will prepare you very well for various IT roles - not just being a DBA.

~Rich