Job Requirements for a Database Administrator
According to statistics compiled in May 2008 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average earnings for a database administrator ranged from $72,900 to $81,050. This high-paying IT job is highly sought after, and understanding the requirements of the position can boost your chances of getting noticed by a hiring manager.
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Relevant Training and Education
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers seeking to hire database administrators often look for individuals who hold college degrees in technical fields such as computer science, information technology or management information systems. Some employers are willing to consider candidates with other college degrees, as well as those who have completed the kinds of intensive hands-on training courses provided by private schools and community colleges.
Logical Thinking
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Database administrators must have the ability to think clearly and logically. The programs that run databases are set up in a logical manner, and database administrators need a logical mind to understand those programs and processes. Database administrators also need a strong attention to detail, since debugging a database and diagnosing a problem often means looking at minute parts of the database and the underlying tables.
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Experience
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While some employers will hire database administrators with little or no experience, others look for a proven track record of success when deciding whom to bring on board. Having some relevant database experience can be a real plus when applying for a job as a database administrator. That experience does not necessarily have to come in a formal database administrator role. Computer programmers and analysts often work with databases, as do network engineers and computer technicians. Job candidates who can show how their past experience prepares them for their new role as a database administrator are more likely to be successful.
Certification
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A number of database vendors, including Microsoft and Oracle, offer certification programs for IT professionals and students. Those certifications are designed to demonstrate a high level of competence with the relevant database program, and they are highly sought after and often difficult to obtain. As a result, employers treat those certifications with respect, and getting certified can boost your chances of landing a job as a database administrator or similar IT professional.
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