I wrote a multi-part series explaining how to get your foot in the door as a database administrator:
- Part 1 – Where Are the Junior DBA Jobs? – Why you don’t see junior DBA jobs in the paper.
- Part 2 – You Have More Experience Than You Think – you can’t get experience without a job, and you can’t get a job without experience. Or can you?
- Part 3 – Getting Training on the Job – how to get the company to train you while you work.
- How to Get Your First DBA Job – a reader asked how to do it, and I gave a few ways to get started.
And here’s some more links for beginning DBAs:
- My Recommended SQL Server Book Reviews – I list the best books in several categories.
- Free SQL Server Training Videos – podcasts, downloadable tutorials and more.
Hey,
I have no relevant IT experience but would like to go in the path of becoming a DBA and am having difficulty finding the best way to go about it. At the moment, i’m learning a bit of sql and some basics of using ssms. I’d like to find a way to get the foundation that i will need without going back for another 4 yr bachelor’s degree. Any suggestions?
Hi, SN. Check out the “Becoming a DBA” link at the top of this site in order to get more info about that topic.
i m working in a bank.this bank is going from TBA to CBS.
my platform is sql server 2005.the problem is connectivity as it is a rural area.i m trying for an offline setup.when the lease lines r down.it will automatically go to ofline.when the line is up whatever transactions made in offlnie will be updated in centralised database.basically there will be synchronisation.what r my options.
Azad – I’ve got a webcast about that topic here:
http://www.quest.com/events/listdetails.aspx?contentid=9185&technology=34&prod=&prodfamily=&loc=
Hope that helps!
hi brent,
in my free time i want to develop a small software for eg:
attendance of employees.this software should be sql server based.all information entered in this should get stored in ms-sql server.how should i get started.please recommend sites as well as beginners books
thanks in advance
Hi, Azad. At the top of my site, click on Becoming a DBA. I’ve got a list of book recommendations for different tracks and different skill levels, and from there you can find one that’s right for you. Hope that helps!
As a novice, Which technology will give you a better chance to find a DBA job?
Oracle or SQL Server?
Can you substitute T-SQL using SQL?
Thanks
Mitchell – the one to pick is the one where you’ve got a better peer network. If you know more people using Oracle, you stand a better chance of getting a job in Oracle. If you know more people using SQL Server, you’re more likely to get a job. Remember, the knowledge alone doesn’t get you the job.
Brent,
I am a currently a sys admin for a major oil/gas firm. i basically build the server at the datacenter from its OS install, install HBAs for san and luns config by the storage team, configuration of RAID, and then do the failover cluster. Once that is done, i hand off the server to the DBAs for them to do the SQL Server install and clustering. How do i convince the DBAs to let me do some installs and clustering for them?
Another point i need to make is that i’ve told my company might outsource some of their database work to overseas. Not sure exactly what part, but is this a growing trend? I would think companies are sensitive to their data, so why outsource abroad? Thanks.
Darren
Darren – first, how do you convince the DBAs to let you do some installs and clustering? Start by working with them. Tell them that you want to sit with them while they do an install and clustering. If you tell them you want to just start working with the installs yourself, then they’re going to have to fix your mistakes, and you don’t want to incur additional work for them.
Second, about the outsourcing – let’s look back at your first question again. If you go to the DBAs and tell them you want to start doing their work, and they’re already hearing their jobs might be outsourced, then they’re probably not going to be too excited about showing you how to do their work.
Is outsourcing a growing trend? Absolutely. As Buck Woody says, your company probably already outsources its payroll to ADP, Paychex, or a similar company. That company has what might be your most private data – employee identification, salary, bank accounts, etc. The word “outsourcing” may mean different things – for example, the company may just host the database externally and be done with it, or they may have outside staff (like consultants) manage some of the database administration.
I am a .Net developer with over 3 years of experience. Pretty much know development and many DBA tasks on the SQL Server end. I am totally a newbie to BI. But I want to get fully into SQL BI and DBA stuff please suggest.
Hi, Reddy. I don’t work with BI, so I don’t have good recommendations there. Your best bet is to seek out people with BI blogs that you like, and ask them. Hope that helps.
Hi Brent! I am a DB consultant in Venezuela. I am interested in applying for an internship or an entry-level position as a Jr. DBA in the US.
In a normal work day for me, i do SQL Servers installations, configurations, Restore and backup jobs regarding SQL Server.
I have some SSAS,SSRS, and SSIS experience. Mostly SSIS by creating dts to sincronize data between tables.
I have +1yr of experience in doing that, but i am not familiar with the regular DBA tasks like users permisions, tuning, and disaster recovery.
Now, to the actual question. =)
I am thinking about getting certified with the MCTS SQL Server 2008 certification, but i know its really more important to actually get experience as a DBA by learning from some seniors DBA, as i would like, but its kinda ward to do it in my country, and harder in my home town.
Do you think i should do it? Or do i have to keep looking for opportunities in my country in order to be more prepared.
Thanks in advance.
Hi..
I am from India and I have a work exp of 3 years with Dell..also I am doing a course in DBA…it’s a 2 and a half months course…after finishing my course..I will leave for Canada..
I am looking for career as DBA in Canada…I will have to start from scratch there…
Could you please suggest me something on how to get in a company and work on sql as my first job and start to have an exp..
I read above in one of your answer” the knowledge alone doesn’t get you the job”..but unless I won’t get a job..how will I gain the experience to get a job..?…Please advice..
Thank you.
Neha – I explain it above in the post. Please read the post carefully. Thanks.