Hi
I've a masters degree in computer application.I would like to become a database administrator. What should I learn?
and what is the current job market
please advice me
Thanks & Regards
BMP
Hi
I've a masters degree in computer application.I would like to become a database administrator. What should I learn?
and what is the current job market
please advice me
Thanks & Regards
BMP
This thread mixes good practical points with a few jokes. For someone with an MSc in Computer Applications who wants to become a DBA, the hireable combination is simple: deep, hands‑on skills + proven production experience. The short roadmap below complements comments from , , and without repeating earlier specifics.
Core technical areas to learn: strong SQL (set‑based thinking, window functions, execution plans, stored procs); engine internals (transaction logging/WAL, buffering, locking/isolation); backup and restore (full/differential/incremental, point‑in‑time recovery, rehearsed restores); performance tuning (index strategy, partitioning, statistics, explain/analyze); HA/replication and failover topologies; OS & storage basics (Linux/Windows, filesystems, I/O); scripting/automation (Bash/PowerShell/Python plus job scheduling); monitoring and alerting; and security (least privilege, encryption, auditing). Those concepts apply across Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, cloud managed services, etc.
A practical 6–12 month plan: build a home lab (VMs or free cloud tier) and install a DB engine; load real datasets and practice backups, full restores and point‑in‑time recovery until they are routine; run explain/actual plans and tune slow queries; automate repetitive tasks with scripts and a config tool; set up basic monitoring and alerting. Seek an entry support/ops role, internship or shadow a senior DBA—real production exposure is the single most valuable credential. Use certifications selectively to validate knowledge, not as a substitute for hands‑on work.
Reality check: as and note, the role can be high pressure; as points out, engine choice matters. Focus on fundamentals, document repeatable runbooks, practice recoveries until they are reflexive, and add automation/cloud skills; that combination is what turns academic credentials into a hireable DBA.
Jump to Post— pclfw 23No DON'T do it!
Become a plumber instead. Then your customers will be pleased to see you, the pay is better and the dirtiest things that you have to deal with come crawling out of the sewers. MUCH cleaner & more honest than a career in IT.
I …
Jump to Post— Ancient Dragon 5,243Oracle is only one of several popular database. Getting a certificate in Oracle will do little to nothing for you if you work for a company that has some other database.
To become a DBA you need a few years of practical experience working in a large database shop …
Jump to Post— pclfw 23ha-ha... great advise... But you forgot to mention why you feel this way.
I am sure that all programmers have had some one tell them that programming is easy because they have use access (or something) and there was no problems. Well being a DBA is much more that just …
No DON'T do it!
Become a plumber instead. Then your customers will be pleased to see you, the pay is better and the dirtiest things that you have to deal with come crawling out of the sewers. MUCH cleaner & more honest than a career in IT.
I cannot remember what I did to become a DBA. Whatever it was must have been bad, very bad, very VERY bad! I promise I won't do it in my next life.
Hahahaha yeah im in my second year of uni doing computeing and have 3 years of college behind me already and wish i had just become an out of hours plumber :(
Oracle has various certifications you can obtain just like a MCSE. ranging from 1 test up to 5 or more exams.
The entry point would be an ORACLE DATABASE OPERATOR which requires only a single book.
You can buy the exam at amazon, or you can speak with your IT department about letting you start working and they pay for training. Or you can go to a community college in your area and take courses.
If you really like to study, just go Borders in your city and buy a book, and study on your own.
To become a full fledged Database administrator it takes about 5 exams. Hopefully your company can pay for this. or take courses at a community college.
Oracle does offer 1 week onsite crash courses
Hi
I've a masters degree in computer application.I would like to become a database administrator. What should I learn?
and what is the current job market
please advice me
Thanks & Regards
BMP
I m not having much idea abt Database administartion, but yes, i think, you can do oracle certification-DBA. It will be enough to add bullet in ur resume or to attract interviewer/company.
No DON'T do it!
Become a plumber instead. Then your customers will be pleased to see you, the pay is better and the dirtiest things that you have to deal with come crawling out of the sewers. MUCH cleaner & more honest than a career in IT.
I cannot remember what I did to become a DBA. Whatever it was must have been bad, very bad, very VERY bad! I promise I won't do it in my next life.
ha-ha... great advise... But you forgot to mention why you feel this way.
Oracle is only one of several popular database. Getting a certificate in Oracle will do little to nothing for you if you work for a company that has some other database.
To become a DBA you need a few years of practical experience working in a large database shop and your master's degree will get your foot into many doors :) After a couple years you will probably be ready to take on a DBA job.
ha-ha... great advise... But you forgot to mention why you feel this way.
I am sure that all programmers have had some one tell them that programming is easy because they have use access (or something) and there was no problems. Well being a DBA is much more that just driving a database. I have programmers telling me that DB design is easy and anyone can do it. I then spend weeks rebuilding their DBs to get the performance that they need (and told the customer that the system would have) while their application is still running on top of the DB. And naturally the bad design was MY fault despite the advice given at every stage of the project.
Gaining an Oracle, or MS SQL, DBA certificate will not teach you to properly design and implement a system. A BSc or MSc is only a starting point. Experience with a Senior DBA is vital to learn the whole of the profession.
Soon you may get the the wonderful point where you have to do a manual change on a live database (which cannot be taken off line) which has the possibility of crashing the whole DB. If you do it right (after checking, rechecking and checking again) then everyone will just want to know why it took so long. If it goes wrong you get to pack your personal belongings and have a few days to rant at the idiots who put you in that position in the first place.
I think:
1. If you haven't got a job try and get one preferrably in the IT department of a company that has in house DBA support any system will do, mysql, oracle, ms sql.
2. After your probation is over and you are settle, you can start showing interest in that area (dont be too pushy).
3. Which ever system they use in house read the trade magazine(s) for that system (made for interesting conversation with the DBA - sucking up but such is life sometime).
4. IF over time you see this is not going any where leave before you get comfortable.
This is my too spence.
damn i'm so not gonna be doing DBA as a subject for my bcs lol
Guys,
What's the difference between a SQL Dev and a DBA. I've seen description online that pretty much match both categories.
I've been doing data analysis for a while pretty involved in creating view and cubes for web analitics and stuff but I really wan to step forward to a SQL Dev or something more interesting
Guys,
What's the difference between a SQL Dev and a DBA. I've seen description online that pretty much match both categories.
I've been doing data analysis for a while pretty involved in creating view and cubes for web analitics and stuff but I really wan to step forward to a SQL Dev or something more interesting
There is a difference but it depends on the size of the company. A DBA maintaines the system making sure the system continue to work, check logs, make sure jobs are run, setup privilegs, etc.
For Developers the line is not that clear, because you are expected to know another language e.g. C#, VB(if it is Ms. SQL) this also help to make you more marketable.
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