Database administrators and architects are experts in organizing and storing data so users can access the information they need, while keeping out unauthorized users. These IT professionals play a vital role in many industries that obtain and store sensitive, private data. Database administrators oversee the development of new databases, by identifying the purpose for the database and determining its users and their needs. Database architects design and build large databases. They set standards for operations, programming, and security of the databases to ensure they perform as intended. Since many users rely on databases to accomplish their daily work, database professionals regularly backup systems to prevent data loss, and establish standards and procedures to ensure the integrity of data that enters the system. They monitor usage trends to ensure sufficient space, and, when issues occur, they find and fix sometimes deeply complex problems. Most database professionals work in computer systems design, data hosting, and data processing companies. There are also positions at insurance companies, banks and retailers, education services, and healthcare organizations. Almost all work full time, and most frequently work more than 40 hours per week. Database administrators and database architects usually have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, though some positions require a master’s degree.
What they do:
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
On the job, you would:
Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
Plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
telecommunications
multimedia
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
figuring out how to use new ideas or things
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Integrity
Cooperation
Dependability
Persistence
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base management system software
Apache Cassandra
Oracle PL/SQL
Web platform development software
JavaScript
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
Development environment software
Eclipse IDE
Microsoft Visual Basic
bachelor's degree or professional degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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