How to Obtain a Position as a Database Administrator

When you work as a database administrator, you will be responsible for maintaining the environmental aspects of a database. The data stored in a computer database is a collection of records or information related to the business and that employees need to access in order to carry out the daily operations of the business. With the many changes that have taken place in technology, an administrator for a database may also have to perform the duties of a designer and an analyst.

In general, the duties of this position include the maintenance of the following aspects of a database:

• Recoverability – the employees must be able to access the records
  
  
  
• Integrity – verification of the integrity of the data
  
• Security – ensuring that only the employees can access the data
  
• Availability – maximizing the time the system is accessible
  
• Performance – keeping the system up to date within the confines of the budget
  
• Development and support – instructing others to use the system

Some of the tasks of a database administrator include the installation of new software. This also means that you will be responsible for teaching the personnel how to use this software and be able to help them when they run into difficulties. Therefore you should be knowledgeable about all aspects of any new software you install. When you need to install new hardware, you may have to configure it to work with the existing system and keep the operations running smoothly. You may be called upon to analyze the performance of the database and to make recommendations on ways the system can be improved.

You will have to work closely with the employees of the organization to determine what their specific needs are in using the system. If the business is upgrading its computers, as the database administrator, it will be your responsibility to integrate the data stored on the old database to the new one. For the most part, you will work in an office in one location. However, if you administer the database of a corporation with many offices, you may have to travel to several locations from time to time. However, most people in this position can control the full system from a central office.

In order to get the training you need to become a database administrator, you can take a course in computers from a technical or vocational college or obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Many people have an undergraduate degree in another discipline and then take a graduate course in Information Technology. There are a variety of certificate programs you can take to give you many certificates for working in this occupation. You can study for these on your own and then apply to write the certification exams. When you search online you will also find many online courses in certifications that will greatly benefit you. This is a field in which you have great opportunity for advancement. Even though you are already in an administrator position, you can advance into a managerial position or take the courses qualifying you for other jobs in the IT sector.