If you weren't a DBA what would you be doing?

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If you weren't a DBA what would you be doing?

smallmoney

SSCarpal Tunnel

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September 2, 2009 at 4:24 pm

#97987

Man I love working with Databases and I honestly wouldn't be anything else...except for maybe an NFL quarterback or the next Hugh Hefner or something crazy.
But the other day I thought about if I wasn't a DBA or if SQL didn't exist on this planet...what would I be?
Probably:
1. Network Admin
2. Chef
3. Programmer (I use to love VB.net)
4. UFC fighter LOL
What would you guys be doing if you werent DBAs or if databases didn't exist?

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 38 total)

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SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 1

Hadn't thought of it but....

Mud Farming comes to mind 🙂

Seriously...

Maybe an Engineer

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004318 More actions · Answer 2

SQL Iron Chef (9/2/2009)
What would you guys be doing if you werent DBAs or if databases didn't exist?

In this economy? Probably looking for a job. 😉

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

smallmoney SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4378 More actions · Answer 3

supposedly the economy is getting better. the media has been saying that but i haven't seen any improvements myself :unsure:

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 4

Well, I'm not a DBA anyway but...

Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

WayneS SSC Guru Points: 95460 More actions · Answer 5

GilaMonster (9/3/2009)
Well, I'm not a DBA anyway but...
Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.

Gail, from what I've seen of your skills here at SSC, I'd have to say that your friend is absolutely right.

Wayne
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes

If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!

Links:
For better assistance in answering your questions
Performance Problems
Common date/time routines
Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

tosscrosby SSCoach Points: 18045 More actions · Answer 6

exotic male dancer??? mppffhh, yeah right. I'd be broke and probably kicked off more stages/platforms/poles than I care to even think about. But hey, it's a dream, right? - or nightmare - depending on your view!!!

-- You can't be late until you show up.

John Rowan SSC Guru Points: 56440 More actions · Answer 7

I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.

John Rowan

======================================================
======================================================
Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url] - by Jeff Moden

GSquared SSC Guru Points: 260824 More actions · Answer 8

I'd probably still be doing sales, marketing, and/or management, since those are the roles that got me into being a DBA in the first place.

- Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
Property of The Thread

"Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 9

WayneS (9/3/2009)
GilaMonster (9/3/2009)
Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.
Gail, from what I've seen of your skills here at SSC, I'd have to say that your friend is absolutely right.

That was over 5 years ago. At the time I knew enough about SQL to be dangerous. Could write simple-moderately complex queries, knew a little about optimisation, nothing else.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 10

Developer/Programmer of some sort. Maybe be in IT Management.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004318 More actions · Answer 11

John Rowan (9/3/2009)
I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.

Heh... same as a DBA. 😛

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 12

Jeff Moden (9/3/2009)
John Rowan (9/3/2009)
I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.
Heh... same as a DBA. 😛

Yes, I have often thought of that myself. I think it covers all age groups as well - and the worst is the high school age playing high school politics 😉

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004318 More actions · Answer 13

Lynn Pettis (9/3/2009)
Maybe be in IT Management.

Odd that you should say that. I quit being the "Director of IT" for one company to become an "AppDev Manager" for another because of politics and "other things". After a couple of years, I quit the manager job for the same reasons except it was worse.

The really odd thing is that I'm making more as a DBA/Tuner/Developer than I did in any of those previous jobs and I like the job a whole lot more.

If there were no such thing as databases, database servers, or DBA positions, I guess I'd be trying to invent them right now... mostly because of the job satisfaction I have with working the data and the people that need the data.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Clive Strong SSChampion Points: 11222 More actions · Answer 14

Probably still progarmming in VB....Not as much fun as being a DBA though!