|
Database Administrators
Overview » Industry Pathways » Telecommunications Technologies 
Database administrators are the workers who enjoy organizing data. These workers might have been the children who took time to carefully organize and put away all their lego pieces before coming to dinner! They truly love to see the big picture and bring their sense of detail and organization to the workplace. With the Internet and electronic business generating large volumes of data, there is a growing need to be able to store, manage, and obtain data quickly and effectively.
Database administrators work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize and store data. They identify user requirements, set up computer databases, and test and coordinate modifications to the systems. An organization’s database administrator makes sure the system is running smoothly, understands the platform on which the database runs, and adds new users to the system. In an attempt to plan and coordinate security measures, they also may design and implement system security. With more and more sensitive data being generated, data integrity, backup systems, and database security have become increasingly important aspects of data administrators’ jobs.
Database administrators held about 119,000 jobs in 2006. Although they are increasingly employed in every sector of the economy, the greatest concentration of these workers is in the computer systems design and related services industry. Firms in this industry provide services related to the commercial use of computers on a contract basis, including custom computer programming services; computer systems integration design services; computer facilities management services; and other computer-related services, such as disaster recovery services and software installation.
Many computer systems analysts are employed by Internet service providers, Web search portals, and data-processing, hosting, and related services firms. Others work for government, manufacturers of computer and electronic products, insurance companies, financial institutions, and universities.
Database administrators, along with many other computer-related specialists, are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2016. Employment of these computer specialists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as organizations continue to explore and use increasingly sophisticated technologies.
Job increases will be driven by very rapid growth in computer system design and related services, which is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, many job openings will arise annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions or other occupations or who leave the labor force. Job growth will not be as rapid as during the previous decade, however, as the information technology sector begins to mature and as routine work is increasingly outsourced overseas.
The demand for networking to facilitate the sharing of information, the expansion of client/server environments, and the need for computer specialists to use their knowledge and skills in a problem-solving capacity will be major factors in the rising demand database administrators.
Expansion of electronic commerce—doing business on the Internet—and the continuing need to build and maintain databases that store critical information on customers, inventory, and projects are fueling demand for database administrators familiar with the latest technology. Also, the increasing importance being placed on “cybersecurity”—the protection of electronic information—will result in a need for workers skilled in information security.
For database administrator positions, many employers seek applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS). MIS programs usually are part of the business school or college and differ considerably from computer science programs, emphasizing business and management-oriented course work and business computing courses.
Employers are increasingly seeking individuals with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), with a concentration in information systems, as more firms move their business to the Internet.
Database administrators must be able to think logically and have good communication skills. Because they often deal with a number of tasks simultaneously, the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail is important. They must be able to communicate effectively with computer personnel, such as programmers and managers, as well as with users or other staff who may have no technical computer background.
Database administrators may advance into managerial positions, such as chief technology officer, on the basis of their experience managing data and enforcing security. Computer specialists with work experience and considerable expertise in a particular subject or a certain application may find lucrative opportunities as independent consultants or may choose to start their own computer-consulting firms.
Typical annual earnings of database administrators were $67,250 in 2006.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
More information about computer careers is available from any of the following organizations:
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): http://www.acm.org
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society: http://www.computer.org
National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies: http://www.nwcet.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
|