Database Administrators : Career Profile, Education & Earning

The occupation of database administrators involves the task of safeguarding computer databases. It requires expert planning and coordination to carry out security measures required for implementing the database through the knowledge of database management systems. There are excellent career opportunities awaiting database administrators, as more and more are expanding their technology base. Since occupations like these are one of the most evolving, candidates always need to learn the upcoming and the advanced technology for the advancement of their career as database administrators. Technology continues to change rapidly. Therefore, workers need to acquire new skills and increase their level of skill set to make the most of their career.

In an age where we can not thrive without computer technologies, there remains a constant need of highly skilled professionals including database administrators, computer scientists, data communication analysts etc. With the advancement in technology, candidates get the opportunity of selecting an area of specialization or the one they are keenly interested in. The advent of Internet has brought with it large volumes of data, which need to stored, managed and extracted according to the requirement. Database administrators specializing in the knowledge of database management systems offer effective solutions as to how data can be stored and managed successfully. While working, database administrators try to find out the actual requirement of users and then develop a computer database keeping those user needs in mind.

When a new or an advanced system replaces an outdated one, database administrators perform the task of integrating all the data from the latter. Not only this, these computer technology professionals also perform tests and implement modifications in the database system, as and when required. Troubleshooting is definitely a part of the data administrator's job. While working for an organization, these administrators are accountable for the management of the database, identification of errors, comprehending the platform and adding new users to the database. Since many of the organizational databases are linked via Internet, database administrators also need to work closely with network administrators to ensure the complete security and successful management of the database system. The job of database administration includes data integration, data backup and database security among others.

Education & Training
Educational requirement for a database administrator's job can vary from an associate degree to a doctorate. A bachelor's degree in computer science or information science is required to kick start your career in the field of database administration. A master's degree in business administration focusing on information system has become the preference for many employers in the computer industry. Computer related experience has a major role to play in landing jobs. Candidates can easily go to attend community colleges for an associate degree in computer science or other subjects related to the field of information technology.

Besides being equipped with a bachelor's degree in computer science or information science, candidates also need to possess clarity in communication and should be able to think logically. Most of the time, the task of database administration would require professionals to work in a team. Therefore, being a team player is very important. Acquiring relevant certifications also plays a vital role in the advancement of your career as database administrators. Certifications can also be acquired from different private companies. Obtaining a certification in one specific database management software can help you a lot in landing jobs.

Depending on their skill set and expertise, database administrators can look forward to be promoted to the position of chief technology officer or other managerial positions in the database administration department. Professionals can also decide to attend seminars on advanced technologies to keep them up to date and avail the maximum of their career.

Work Environment & Earning
Usually, database administrators working hours are 40 hours a week. In special cases or to meet the given deadlines, the administrators may need to work even in the evenings and at weekends. Database administrators work for long hours in front of a computer. Around 154,000 more database administration jobs will be added by the year 2016. The median annual salary of a database administrator is $64,670. Career opportunities in this field are both demanding as well fulfilling for candidates.