SQL provides a way for administrators to create new databases, as well as to store information and change or modify it as necessary. A database administrator must be able to work with many different kinds of software. Most databases utilize many programs integrated together to function properly.
A database administrator is also often the person who designs and builds a system from the ground up. He or she must ensure that a database is fully functional and the data it contains is securely stored. It is the database administrator who must add users who will be working within the system and decide the access level an individual will be granted.
Administrators are also often responsible for maintaining the whole system once it is up and running, giving special attention to the security of the data it holds as well as monitoring the activities of all of those with access to it.
Of course, in order to become a successful database administrator, one needs a high level of technical education. Most colleges today offer a wide range of degree programs in the field, and there are a growing number of vocational schools whose sole purpose is to train individuals in all aspects of the ever-changing world of technology. There are self-taught database administrators out there, but it is difficult to get a job in the field without formal qualifications. A good database administrator will also possess great communication skills, as he or she is often required to instruct other workers in the use of the database they administer.
As SQL is a Microsoft product, the certifications they offer to SQL database administrators are highly valued by many employers when looking to staff their SQL positions. These certifications are designed and monitored by Microsoft, but they do not administer them directly. Licenses are granted to individual schools and colleges who meet the company’s standards. Microsoft does, however, decree the maximum amount that a candidate can be charged to complete the program. It is therefore wise to make sure that any chosen school adheres to those guidelines. You definitely do not want to be overcharged.
Although there are employment opportunities in every sector of the industry for the database administrator, the majority of people find work with large computer firms who specialize in the creation of databases for other firms.
Often, at the beginning stage of a database creation project a large number of administrators are hired to complete the task as quickly as possible. Once it is finished however, it requires fewer staff members to attend to day-to-day maintenance. For that reason many employers utilize the services of specialist employment agencies. These agencies can provide them with well-vetted staff. It will save the client company a great deal of time and money if they are being matched with a worker whose skills are exactly in line with the needs. Signing on with one of these agencies can be a great way to secure a first job for an aspiring database administrator.
The salary a database administrator can expect to receive is fairly high. The average salary for a person with a year’s experience is around $45,000 per year, but many of the industries’ top talent database administrators receive four times that amount.
