Journey to Becoming a Database Administrator (DBA)

Vivek Shukla
Jan 31, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Aug 27, 2022

Why consider a career as Database Administrator (DBA)?

I distinctly remember this one fine day from my University days when I had to pick my speciality and the choices were - Databases, Networking and Software engineering. I knew right away without slightest of doubt that I wanted to pursue my career in the field of data and databases. These choices could have been more informed based on well taught Moore’s Law in any IT curriculum around the world till today’s date but instead for me it was that I just loved working with Data and Database Systems which was Oracle at the time.

Approximately 20 years on seems like it was the right call to make. In year 2020 alone, the world generated 47 zettabytes of data and it is expected to grow to 463 exabytes or 175 zettabytes globally by 2025 according to Seagate UK. The world spends almost $1 million per minute on commodities on the internet. By 2025, there would be 75 billion Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in the world and by 2030, nine out of every ten people aged six and above would be digitally active.

This data is only useful if it is appropriately managed and analyzed. At the heart of data management, comes database administrator or DBA, who store and organize the organisation data. And the other important role is Data Scientist whose responsibility is to analyse the data to derive information. In this article we will focus on DBA role.

Types of DBAs?

DBAs are usually divided into following two categories. However, both roles have been merging more and more over the years. Organisations look for a DBA with good all round experience from both areas mentioned below.

Production DBA

Production DBA’s work within an organisation is to determine the most effective and efficient way to store, organise, gather and process data. To elaborate further, DBA is responsible for managing and maintaining database structure, installing software, configuration of database servers, securing data and backing up the data to prevent data loss.

Development DBA

Development DBA’s are responsible for building a stable, effective and usable database environment for creation and maintenance of applications. Developers with skills in logical design, data modelling and normalisation who want to become DBAs usually naturally fall into the role of Development DBA with in an organisation.

Production DBA and/or Development DBA?

First of all anyone can train to be a DBA. A degree in Computer Science or experience in the the field of IT could be beneficial towards becoming an exceptional database professional and more.

My advice to anyone looking to pursue career either as Production or Development DBA would be to work that you enjoy doing the most. Based on my experience, do not be surprised if you find yourself doing both and potentially more towards becoming, dare I say the word "DevOps".

Moving swiftly onto the subject of training material, forums and blogs, I would recommend addding following on to your reading list.