August 6, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I know I might get some biased opinions here but I wanted to see what some of you think if you were in my shoes.
My Background and career progression:
Was originally Server engineer/Senior systems analyst/Network engineer and DB2 database engineer all in one job
company bought..moved into DBA group became senior SQL server and sybase DBA in worldwide group(approx 9 years doing that) replication/log shipping/performance tuning primary expertise
company decides to outsource DBA team and does
moved into Senior SQL development DBA role with a entirely different business unit(approx 1 year)
Can possibly move into a Senior Business analyst role
So I am having trouble deciding what to do long term go find a new DBA job and keep skills up there, continue developer role and try to grow skills in SSAS/SSRS (although ability to use at least SSAS may be slim), or go into Senior BA role.
So Questions are:
What do you think is best long term and career wise?
Would the BA role be seen as a demotion in future hiring situations or would the additional skills look better to a hiring manager?
Is the move to DBA developer seen as a demotion or benefit to a hiring manager?
Long term goal(if I can get there w/o a Bachelors)
Project manager/infrastructure manager/Architect
Avoid outsourcing!
August 6, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I think you should go where where you can benefit the company most. Typically that is the path to the most money. Job titles and average salaries definitely help, but when you can quanitify your impact on the company, it gives you a lot of leverage. Also, when your impact on the company is maximized, it makes you look good. It highlights your strengths, and deters from your weaknesses. It offers you the most opportunity.
If you don't know what will benefit the most, ask. Take into consideration your own strengths; just because something would benefit the company greatly doesn't mean you can do it.
How a hiring employer will see your role depends largely on the person and the company. Some people have biases against DBAs. Others may not fully understand the benefits of business intelligent (or may not be willing to invest in it). Small companies may value a wide range of aptitudes. Large companies may value specialization. It really cuts both ways, but both jobs are in high demand. Consider what you'd like to do, and the type of companies you'd like to work for, and it might give you a better idea.
August 13, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I'm sure others will talk about things like pay, whether you prefer just doing the DBA work or if you're good at talking with the Business about what they require etc, but you may be in a specific situation that others may not consider.
You say they outsourced all DBA work in the department you'd been in - how safe does that make you as a DBA/Developer in your new role? If you're sure they won't outsource that, you'll probably be right, but if they are outsourcing this kind of work they need Business Analysts, and it can be a lucrative one if you can do all the Client Facing, Analysis and Documentation work.
I'd consider what the different pays are, which would best position you within your local market, what you'd learn, etc, but if your companies outsourcing, consider which career path will be best for you.
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