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Database Administration Careers
Database Administration Career Quick Links
Database Administration Career Overview
Database Administrators play one of the most important roles in companies which rely heavily on computers and database systems. Database administrators use database management systems software to determine ways to organize and store computer data.
Database Administrators ensure that all computer systems are running properly, and they understand all facets of the database platform and they add new users to the system. They also design and put into place system security. These professionals perform a variety of jobs including setting up computer databases, identifying user requirements, and testing and coordinating system modifications.
With each and every passing day, the amount of sensitive data being transferred between computers and over the Internet is increasing, so data integrity, backup systems and database security have become increasingly important duties of database administrators. Database Administrators work in a large variety of settings including offices, schools, hospitals and countless other locations.
Database Administration Education & Training
The majority of database administrators have jobs which require at least a bachelor’s degree as well as a large amount of relevant work experience. Most employers seek out job candidates who possess degrees in computer science, information science or management information systems. However, some companies do prefer individuals with advanced degrees such as a Master’s degree in business administration and with a concentration in information systems.
Many students seek to better their chances of employment by locating internships with companies they want to work for or by participating in co-op programs through their schools. One of the most important parts about a Database Administrator’s job is keeping up with their rapidly changing field. Continuous study is necessary in order to stay up-to-date, and there are many ways to achieve this - employers, hardware and software vendors, colleges and universities, and private training institutions provide training sessions in new technologies and software.
Database Administration Career & Salary
Database administrators use database management systems software to determine ways to organize and store computer data. Database Administrators ensure that all computer systems are running properly, they understand all facets of the database platform and they add new users to the system. They also design and implement system security.
Database Administrators usually work 40 hours or more per week and telecommuting is an option that many professionals choose. Weekend work is sometimes necessary in order to meet deadlines or solve specific problems. Opportunities for advancement are very good, especially with the completion of continuing education courses.
The majority of Database Administrators work in the computer systems design and related services industry. Internet service providers, Web search portals, and data processing, hosting and related services firms also employ many administrators. Salaries for this career are usually in the range of $55,000-$70,000, and this can vary considerably depending upon the hiring company.
Data Communications Analyst Career
Network systems analyst analyzes, designs, tests, and evaluates network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Internet, intranet, and other data communications systems.
- Job duties for a data communications analyst include performing network modeling, analysis, and planning. Researching and recommending network and data communications hardware and software. A network systems analyst may supervise computer programmers.
- Some of the most important skill sets you should posses as a network systems analyst includes problem-solving, decision-making, leadership, and logic and reasoning skills.
- Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Having knowledge of the technical aspects of the job is essential
Network planning and design is an iterative process, encompassing topological design, network-synthesis, and network-realization, and is aimed at ensuring that a new network or service meets the needs of the subscriber and operator. The process can be tailored according to each new network or service. This is an extremely important process which must be performed before the establishment of a new telecommunications network or service.
- Since you will be working as part of a larger team, the ability to work in a group environment is important, in addition to communication and interpersonal skills.
- Other traits that are commonly looked for in a network planner are analytical and logical thinking, organizational and multitasking skills.
A database engineering professional develops databases and relational databases for users by identifying their requirements, database tasks, identifying data needed to support tasks, and mapping the data to tables. For relational database proficiency, technicians identify key fields and relationships, and solve complex database relationships.
- As a database engineer you should have strong analytical problem solving skills, and the ability to multitask.
- Since you will be explaining and documenting the database-related contents of the deployment and operations documentation to its diverse audiences, excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
- In addition to at least a bachelor's degree in software/systems engineering, computer science or a relevant subject matter, employers are looking for practical hands-on training and experience in designing and implementing data and software components.
- Knowledge of fundamental Structured Query Language (SQL), open source with MySQL, Linux and Unix, and the management of an Apache server are the software capabilities you should have as a database engineer.
Telecommunications Career
Telecommunications specialists (TCSs) design voice and data communication systems, supervise installation of these systems, and provide maintenance and service to clients after installation. Systems can range from a connection between two offices on different floors of the same building to networking databases, and voicemail and electronic mail systems throughout globally distributed offices of multinational organizations.
- No particular degree is required to become a telecommunications specialist. Instead, extensive job training programs are the norm. Those with strong math or engineering backgrounds have an advantage over the candidate pool in general; communication skills are an advantage too.
- Training programs usually last two or three months in large companies; on-the-job training in mentor programs isn’t unusual for smaller companies.
- Professional education is also standard in this field, as the technology changes almost as rapidly as the daily newspaper.
- A telecommunication specialists’ skills are valuable in a number of other technology-oriented jobs. Many become service sales representatives for high-tech products companies.
- Others become computer network administrators, capitalizing on their understanding of the interplay between local wiring (connections) and performance (results).
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