DATABASE

ADMINISTRATOR
By: Allen Elledge

WHY? Name: Allen Elledge

Career: Database Administrator
No one has ever specifically told me that they Period 4
thought database administration would be
something I would be good at. It’s also not the
highest paying position, especially at entry levels,
so money did not play a major role in drawing my
interest. It’s caught my interest because it’s a
subset of computer science, which I have had
interest in for almost my whole life. Additionally,
data is used in more and more places every year,
and is collected in larger and larger amounts with
more and more detail, so the systems that manage
all that data are of interest to me. Steps to take to
accomplish this path include taking computer
science related courses in high school, as well as
practicing with available database tools and getting
a data science oriented degree in college.
JOB DESCRIPTION
-Database administrator in the
telecommunications industry
-A database administrator’s job is to evaluate the
purchase of database software and to supervise
the modification of existing software, as well as
maintaining database integrity and backups,
training users to access the database, ensure the
correct users have access to information, and
securing the database. A database administrator
may also be responsible for setting up and
maintaining the database hardware.
-Most DBA’s work full-time, in an informal to
semi-formal environment, depending on the
business and customer interaction. The
environment can be stressful due to the
importance of a functional database to many
businesses and the need to ensure it is always
working smoothly, but many DBA positions are
gaining work-from-home opportunities due to
many software management features being
accessible remotely.
-Becoming a DBA usually involves working in the
IT sector for a few years, and acquiring
certifications in database software or experience
with database operating standards and
procedures.
CAREER DETAILS
-Database administrators can usually have a
computer science related degree or a
bachelor’s in management information
systems, but higher level managers may be
required to have a master’s focused on data
or database management, as well as
knowledge related to database
administration, such as experience with
structured query language(SQL). A
prospective DBA needs analytical,
communication, and problem solving skills, as
well as being detail oriented and logical
thinkers.
-The median pay in 2017 was $87, 020 per
year at $41.84 per hour, while the lowest 10%
made less than $48, 480 per year and the top
10% made more than $132,420 per year. The
field is projected to grow 11% from 2016 -
2026, which is faster than the average.
-Similar occupations include computer and
information systems managers, network
architects, market research analysts, and
web developers.
Job Postings:
Position name: Oracle Database Administrator
at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Description: Oracle Database Administrator for the Network Enterprise Center –
Redstone Arsenal under the Army Logistics Transformation (ALTII) contract in support of the
Global Combat Support System - Army (GCSS-Army) program. Primary responsibilities will be
to provide database administration (Oracle 11g/12c) and support of a large and technically
complex landscape of GCSS-Army Production/QA/Dev systems running SAP on Oracle
databases. The responsibilities will include but are not limited to database design,
administration, installation, configuration, troubleshooting, monitoring, integration,
backup/recovery, optimization, and problem resolution. Responsibilities will also include
hardening of the Oracle databases on IBM AIX platforms, as well as maintaining compliance
with the Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG). SAP applications on Oracle DB
include Enterprise Portal (EP), Enterprise Resource Planning Central Component (ECC),
Business Intelligence (BI), Composition Environment (CE), Process Integration (PI), Data
Orchestration Engine (DOE) and Solution Manager (SM). This position is key to the ongoing
success of the GCSS-Army program and will require an individual with strong motivation and
desire to execute at a high level. Candidate should have a strong understanding of underlying
UNIX systems and Oracle databases and how SAP integrates and functions within these
systems.
https://job-openings.monster.com/oracle-database-administrator-huntsville-al-us-kratos-
defense-security-solutions/22/4c6231ae-6849-4899-b254-0ca56ead9bfa
Position: Database Administrator/Developer
from Advantage Resourcing
Location: Dallas, Texas
Description: This non-exempt position as MS SQL DBA
will administer and optimize existing databases, and design
and develop new database systems while working closely
with a team of software engineers and system
administrators. This individual will provide support,
optimizations, and automation for series of external data
feeds and internal relationships.
https://job-openings.monster.com/database-administrator-
developer-dallas-tx-us-advantage-
resourcing/11/203120092
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/database-
administrator-job-description-salary-and-skills-
2061775
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-
profiles/database-administrator
https://www.truity.com/career-
profile/database-administrator
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-
information-technology/database-
administrators.htm