January 16, 2008 at 8:36 am
this is good advice.
I'd also add that you should highly consider getting an MBA.
I ran my own consulting gig for 4 years and did quite well. But I didnt really know how to run a business.
Even though I had an undergrad in Business and Computer Science, I wasnt well equipped to understand cash flow, forecasting, etc.
cash flow is what eventually killed me.
cheers
GAJ
Gregory A Jackson MBA, CSM
January 16, 2008 at 8:37 am
All these responses r so helpful and indeed good topic.
January 16, 2008 at 9:12 am
Agreed !..great insights and gives me a better perspective in our DBA world.
January 16, 2008 at 9:24 am
TheSQLGuru (1/16/2008)
Independent consulting can be the best thing in the world - or it can be a total nightmare. You could make $200K one year without breaking a sweat and then struggle to get $50K the next. I will say though that if you are REALLY good, and you have some 'walk-on-water' references from a few VP or C-level managers and have done some good networking you probably won't have trouble staying engaged. The best situation to be in is married with a spouse that has great benefits from his/her stable job. Even better if their income can cover your expenses so if you do spend some time not under contract it won't cause you severe stress.Another possibility you could consider before deciding to hand up your own shingle is to get on with a consulting company and let them deal with keeping you off the bench. Many of the independent contractors out there do this first. It gives you more high-level experience, insurance and benefits, etc. Many just stay here for their career and are quite happy with it.
Agreed - I've done both, and quite honestly - I prefer to work for a firm. It allows me to keep doing what I love (the technical work), and saves me from having to deal with the stuff I hate (the taxes, insurance, marketing, scheduling, etc....).
Like Dirty Harry would say: " A man has GOT to know his limitations"...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?
January 17, 2008 at 2:49 pm
If you are looking to combine the technical with the mangerial and business side of the eq then think about BI. BI is where the new money is IMHO and proving that you can directly increase profits does wonders for your pay grade. I would recommend takeing a look at Kevin Hillstrom's new book on Multichannel Forensics which is about Database Marketing and you can do all of this in SQL Server 2005/2008 (see his blog here http://www.minethatdata.com/).
Building datawarehouses is a new challenge and is a step beyond your standard relational design, plus there are challenges with SAN configs which differ from OLTP and data storage sizes are massive.
Just a thought,
Dave
January 18, 2008 at 5:45 am
koln (1/16/2008)
Agreed !..great insights and gives me a better perspective in our DBA world.
And don't forget the non-working part of your life. You may find that you develop a passion for something besides database work (hard to imagine, I know, but it CAN happen). You could end up going off in a entirely new direction or you could merge your two passions into a whole new kind of career where your DBA skills support or enhance your other interest.
January 18, 2008 at 6:52 am
Of course, you could always move to a remote ranch and start your own SQL Server community website... 😉
Tim Mitchell, Microsoft Data Platform MVP
Data Warehouse and ETL Consultant
TimMitchell.net | @Tim_Mitchell | Tyleris.com
ETL Best Practices
January 18, 2008 at 8:48 am
"...I guess another option is to continue being a DBA and start having some fun... "
Woohoo, go, Tony! Instead of the Galloping Gourmet you'll be the Drivin' DBA with an, um, roaming profile.
January 18, 2008 at 8:51 am
...and don't forget there's the ever popular "nonsense title generator" HR fun, like for example...
LEAD Senior SQL DBA.... To be followed no doubt by Principal Lead Senior SQL DBA...
Don't laugh - my last title looked something like that.....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?
January 18, 2008 at 8:59 am
Hopefully I will be the first DBA to work and live from an RV while exploring our great country (under the age of 40). I will work during the week, and on weekends and evening we will explore the different areas or drive to the next town if we choose to.
Tony, you must promise to blog the entire experience. You could develop quite a following on this little venture...
Tim Mitchell, Microsoft Data Platform MVP
Data Warehouse and ETL Consultant
TimMitchell.net | @Tim_Mitchell | Tyleris.com
ETL Best Practices
January 18, 2008 at 9:12 am
Hey, I started the site and then moved to the remote ranch :hehe: More my wife's idea, but I enjoy it.
If you're a senior DBA, do you want more career stuff or more outside of career? Ask yourself the question. You might find you can do your job with less stress and find a hobby, or enjoy something outside of work more.
If it's career, I think you move into architecture, bigger systems, bigger databases, etc.
January 18, 2008 at 9:40 am
More career related options are:
1. Write technical articles and get published or posted.
2. Join or host a user group. I know PASS has user groups. My area has local SQL server user group.
3. Help the others on this site or other SQL sites. Earn points!
4. Keep an eye on database industry. Like this site: http://www.databasetrends.com/
5. Improve communication skills, people skills, and business knowledge.
They are fun as well.
May 24, 2008 at 9:53 pm
David Lundquist has great ideas about consulting at today’s Microsoft TechNet event. Worth a look!
Session 3: Evolving to a Highly-Paid Professional
July 2, 2008 at 12:11 am
I reckon the worth of a really good Senior DBA in Sydney, Australia is very good, plus bonus you may get around $140K/annum. I know lot of mates who are earning higher than this, but they're contracting.
If you wish to get a higher level than Senior DBA, its called Principle Lead which sort of similar to DBA Architect. This position means you've got excellent technical skills, communication, etc. The salary for it can go as high (or higher) than the manager managing the position/team. That's the beauty of staying in technical line enjoying the things you really love to do whilst on high salary.
- Simon
Simon Liew
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
July 3, 2008 at 8:14 am
Lots of people here have thrown out the DBA Architect roll. But I don't know that most Sr DBAs have what it takes to move into that roll, especially if they have focused primarily on production dba work as opposed to full life-cycle development, performance analysis and tuning, ancillary services work (SSAS, SSIS, SSRS), etc. For those that have the requisite traning, self-study and experience, a good bit of those will get weeded out due to inability to communicate (at all levels) effectively and/or lack of leadership abilities.
Best,
Kevin G. Boles
SQL Server Consultant
SQL MVP 2007-2012
TheSQLGuru on googles mail service
Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 37 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply