Database Administrator
What is the work like?
Database administrators (DBAs for short) plan, build and maintain computerised information systems. The kind of database they work with will depend on their employer – examples include banks' customer account networks and hospital patient record systems.
As a DBA your work could range from upgrading an existing database to creating a totally new system to house information.
On a new system, you would work with an organisation to:
- establish what the database is for, who will use it and which other systems it will link to, for example telephony
- plan its structure, showing how to organise the data (the 'back end' design), and how to find and display the information ('front end' usability)
- build a test version and check the results to iron out technical problems, known as bugs
- fill (populate) the database with new information or transfer existing data into it
- draw up plans for updating information, creating back-up copies, reporting errors and putting in security measures.
You may have extra duties like supervising technical support staff, training users and producing performance reports for IT managers. In a senior position you would normally be responsible for strategic planning, information policy, budgets and managing client relationships.
Other IT professionals like analysts, programmers and IT project managers, would normally work closely with you on projects.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
For most DBA jobs, you would need to know how to use structured query language (SQL) along with database management systems (DBMS), which include:
- RDBMS (relational database management systems)
- OODBMS (object-oriented database management systems)
- XML database management systems.
There are different ways to gain this knowledge but employers often look for previous experience in computing. This would normally be in the form of an IT support, programming or web development background.
You may be able to join a firm’s graduate training scheme straight from university. Qualifications like foundation degrees, BTEC HNC/HNDs and degrees are widely available at colleges and universities. Relevant courses include:
- computer science
- information science
- software engineering
- mathematics.
There are also lots of postgraduate IT conversion courses available, if you have a non-IT related degree subject.
See e-skills UK, the British Computer Society (BCS) and Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS) for details about careers in the IT sector.
What further training and development can I do?
Much of your training would be done on the job through your employer. You could also continue to develop your skills by taking professional development awards with industry bodies, such as:
- e-skills UK Graduate Professional Development Award, developed with higher education institutions and employers, covering key skills required by the IT industry
- BCS Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma (options in database systems)
- IMIS programmes, including database development.
Software development companies also offer database certification programmes. Examples include:
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
- Sybase Adaptive Enterprise Server (Developer and Administrator pathways)
- Oracle PL/SQL Developer, and 9i and 10g Administrator (Associate, Professional and Master levels)
- IBM DB2 and Informix certification.
You can find more information about professional development options on the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website. This has been put together by industry bodies and employers and allows you to identify your career skills and choose development pathways.
Where can I go for more information?
New Mill Road
Orpington
Kent
BR5 3QG
Tel: 0700 002 3456
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 1HJ
London
SW1E 6DR
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New database administrators' salaries start between £17,000 and £20,000 a year.
- Experienced staff can earn between £21,500 and £31,000.
- Senior administrators can earn between £35,000 and £45,000.
Rates for short- and medium-term contract jobs may be significantly higher than those listed above, particularly at senior levels.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a DBA, you would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, you may have on-call duties to deal with technical problems outside of normal office hours.
You could expect to work at one site if you are employed by a company to manage their databases, but if you work for a company that builds databases for other organisations, you would travel between locations to meet clients.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent problem-solving and organisational skills
- the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy
- an good understanding of database architecture, software and database management systems
- the ability to work quickly, under pressure and to deadlines
- an appreciation of wider business demands
- excellent communication, presentation and negotiating skills
- an awareness of the implications of information laws, such as the Data Protection Act
- a willingness to keep up to date with developments in technology
- good teamworking skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work as a DBA with any organisation that makes use of computerised information systems. These can range from educational bodies, hospitals and financial institutions to retail organisations and online companies. You could also work for specialist IT firms, sub-contracted to provide database services to clients.
As web-based services become increasingly widespread, expertise in the integration of online technologies and databases is a particularly useful skill. Database security is another area of growing importance.
With experience, you could move into wider IT project management jobs or transfer your skills to other areas of computing, such as systems analysis, web development or network management.
Self-employment, freelance work and consultancy are other possibilities, if you are an experienced database professional.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading:
ITJobsWatch
ComputerWeekly
Computing Careers
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Search
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
