How good is a career as a Database Administrator?

Database Administrator career input?

• Hello, I am sorta interested in becoming a Database Administrator, just a couple questions that might help me decide to pursue or not. I am currently network Engineer, dealing with nothing but Cisco and other devices, but some how it gets boring... and VERY LABOR INTENSIVE (pulling cables, climbing into roofs, etc.) obviously Database admins don't do this, but i do know they take care of databases, manage them, optimize performance etc., which i have done some SQL tutorials and seems fun, like trying to find or follow issue(s) and create databases etc.,but i am sure there is more to it. I know some SQL, i know how to install SQL 2000, 2005, and 2008, I know basic queries and such, but i know there is more you do. 1. How would i get into becoming a database administrator from a network engineer? 2. would it help to get MCDBA? 3. what is the daily job duties etc.? 4. is it recommended to know/learn a computer language (i know C#), and is it good to know both Microsoft SQL and Oracle? 5. are you guys on-call like network engineers(which is another reason i hate, i like by beauty sleep). 6. what other skills would help along wtih knowing SQL and oracle to help get into a database position, since they are like asking for 10+ years experience, i mean come on... how is anyone suppose to get that!!?? Thank you all, i really want to decide and move on before i find myself at 30 years old and still not knowing or feel like i missed out.

• Answer:

  1. Do you have a current Database team you could ask for guidance or small tasks? 2. Certs always help in IT. 3. Performance tuning, backups, validating restores, space issues 4. Not necessarily, but shell scripts are commonly used with Oracle. Not sure about Powershell and SQL. 5. YES! DBA's have to get involved when the Unix/Linux/Windows admins have to reboot their boxes to make sure the databases are shutdown and started properly. 6. Working with applications that use a database can be helpful to understand how typical front-ends work with the back-end (database.) If you are familiar with Cisco, can I assume you are comfortable with using CLI? If so, I would work towards Linux/Unix and Oracle. Oracle DBA's typically make more that SQL admins. Knowing both can be a plus, but you need to stay current on both which can be taxing.