Database specialist or computer support specialist is one of the fastest growing occupations through to 2016. Companies have a growing demand for these professionals. Among other careers that the field of information technology offers, database development and maintenance is a profitable career option. Also sometimes referred to as database analysts, these specialists are formally educated and trained to develop and maintain a wide range of corporate databases. These professionals apply expert database management systems (DBMS) knowledge to perform their task. If you wish to make a career in this occupation, equip yourself with all the essential career information including job description, educational qualification required, job skills needed, job outlook and annual salary of these professionals.

 

Job Description
As the job title suggests, database specialists are responsible for the development and maintenance of computer databases. They are specially trained to develop structures to ensure appropriate and effective maintenance of database management systems. They work in close contact with network specialists on accessibility issues of the database. These professional hold the responsibility of ensuring an efficient access to the database and connectivity support.

 

Not only do these professionals develop and taste databases, but they also monitor the functionality of the whole system. They check for errors that databases may encounter and provide effective solutions to fix those problems. To eliminate errors, they also modify and restructure the database systems.

 

While performing their job duties, they consider a number of elements. These may include data partitioning, data loading, data modeling, scalability, data security and indexing among others. An important part of their job duty is to have an effective back-up system in place. They design and implement recovery processes for database systems in companies.

 

While creating company databases, they consider the requirements of users. Keeping in mind the various usability issues, they ensure that the whole system is completely in tune with user requirements. They define management standards for an efficient use of the system. In addition, they educate users and train them about the appropriate use of the database system.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
To kick-start a career in this occupation, candidates should at least have a 2-year degree in computer science or information technology with a focus on database administration. A 4 year bachelor's degree in computer science or a relevant field would be required for senior level positions and career advancement. To work as database specialists, employees need multiple years of work experience and on-the-job training.

 

Job Skills
In addition to having a degree in computer science or information technology, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to make the most of their careers. These include strong analytical skills, logical skills, complex problem solving, decision making ability, active listening skills, excellent communication, interpersonal skills etc. Extensive experience of working with databases like Microsoft's SQL Server, Oracle and Filemaker Pro will be required to establish a successful career in this occupation.

 

Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is excellent job growth for computer scientists, database administrators and database specialists. Jobs in this field will grow at the rate of 37% from 2006 through to the year 2016. Candidates who have an advanced computer science degree and extensive computer system work experience will have best employment opportunities. The demand for these professionals is growing rapidly in a variety of businesses and organizations.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of database specialists will vary depending on their work experience, geographic location and the size of the employer. The average annual salary of these professionals is $60,625. As these professionals acquire more experience and skill sets, they can earn an annual salary as high as $107,000.

If you are looking to enter the field of information technology and have a passion for working on computer networking systems, you can consider becoming a network engineer. Also referred to as network administrators, these engineers are responsible for the designing, installation and maintenance of computer communication systems. For becoming a network engineer, it is essential to know where to start, how to get educational qualification and trained, job description and what employment opportunities await you in this field of information technology.

 

Job Description
It is a computer communication network through which employees can easily communicate within an organization. The network engineer is responsible for ensuring that the network system in an organization works efficiently. The challenge for these professionals is to fulfill the communication system requirements according to the client specifications. Security is another issue that engineers need to consider while meeting the individual requirements of clients and organizations.

 

Network systems can be divided into different categories. A network engineers will perform their work with four networking systems including LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) and GAN (Global Area Network). All these networks have been categorized depending on the expanse of geographical location.

 

 Working as a network engineer, you will perform job duties including installation of new software and hardware, creating user accounts with log in information, checking and fixing faults within the network, providing technical support to end users, looking after administrative tasks and monitoring how the network is being accessed and used. To offer more user friendly solutions, engineers always work towards planning and carrying out future developments.

 

Educational Qualification & Experience
A bachelor's degree in computer engineering, network engineering or a relevant field is the minimum requirement to kick-start a career as a network engineer. An advanced degree can enhance your chances of occupying jobs. Today, there are several colleges and universities that offer degrees in network engineering. Students can also go for specific MBA programs that train candidates in network management. Professionals who have experience and are qualified in information technology areas like maintenance and installation can enter the field of network engineering.

 

Job Skills
Considering the competition in the job market and to remain competitive, candidates also need to possess some essential job skills including excellent problem solving skills, organizational skills, capability to explain technical issues, team working skills, people skills and a continuing urge for keeping themselves abreast of the latest developments in this field.

 

Employment Opportunities
There are abundant employment opportunities for trained network engineers. Jobs can be landed with both private and public sector companies. Large IT companies have a great demand for network engineers. Giant IT players like Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation and Apple Computers have a continuing demand for experienced network engineers. Good job opportunities for engineers are available even in sectors including finance, retail, local and national government. With growing experience and skill sets, engineers can also move up to senior level network management systems.

 

Annual Salary
The salary of a network engineer varies depending on the education, experience and the nature and type of the employer. Those who carry an experience of less than 1 year earn an annual salary ranging between $40,000 and $50,000. Engineers who possess an experience of 1-4 years earn an annual salary ranging between $45,000 and $60,000. The salary of network engineers can go as high as $90,000 annually or beyond. Telecommunication network engineer earn the highest salary.

According to the US Department of Labor, the system analysts' career is among the fastest growing. Also sometimes referred to as the systems architect or systems designer, computer system analysts' work to plan and develop different useful methods for the computerizing of a business as well as scientific tasks. These professionals work to improve the usability of a computer system which is already in use, depending on the specific requirement of the organization or establishment. A system analyst's career brings a number of job and employment opportunities. On the one hand, computer system analysts can work for an organization that wants to install computer systems. On the other, they can also join a consulting firm that handles contractual computer system development work.

 

Various companies from time to time keep on upgrading their installed computer systems to increase employee accessibility. System architects or analysts, therefore, are hired to upgrade and develop the systems already in use. During the whole upgrade procedure, system analysts interview the users or the employees to find out their exact computer system work requirements. They also make sure that the employees do not only want it but need it to. Next, the analysts prepare a list for shopping. After a step-by-step planning is done, the system implementation is done along with testing and troubleshooting processes.

 

While developing or upgrading a system, computer architects have a number of plans in place. They experiment with each of these plans and try to come up with a plan which does not only work fastest but also proves to be cost-effective to the company. According to the requirement, analysts may work in close contact with computer programmers telling them about the required software programs in a specific project. Not only, computer analysts explain to programmers on how to develop the new software program, but they can help them develop the software as well.

 

Education/ Training Required to Become a System Analyst
Candidates who aspire to become computer system analysts need to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, management information systems or computer engineering. Candidates who have acquired computer expertise through real world experience can also land analysts jobs. Computer analysts are required to have a strong knowledge of computers and mathematics to be able to analyze and solve problems.

 

There are many students who have a bachelor's degree in some other subjects and then they go for some special computer training or course to become analysts. Employers also hire these candidates who have excellent computer expertise and years of real world experience. Many system architects or analysts also obtain a master's degree in business for the advancement of their career. Other skills that computer analysts require include expert analytical skills, logical thinking skills, communication skills and instruction capabilities.

 

Employment/ Job Opportunities
There are plenty of career opportunities for system analysts. They can choose to work either with organizations or consulting firms. Job stability is higher in government agencies, colleges and universities, where computer analysts are in regular demand. A lot of employment opportunities are available for candidates in the private sector as well. While joining a private organization, analysts may need to work on a specific project. Considering the excellent employment growth rate in this field, the job prospect for computer system analysts is really good.

While candidates land a job, they may either work in offices or computer labs. There are many analysts who perform the task from home as well. Depending on the set deadlines, analysts may be required to work for long and extra hours. Usually, computer analysts work on a project in a team.

 

Annual Salary
Experienced (8 years or more) computer system analysts earn a median annual salary of around $83,900. Professionals can earn an annual salary ranging between $76,300 and $117,000. The salary increases as computer analysts grow in their skills and expertise.

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.