How do you vulgarize a DBA's job?

  • I've had to explain to my GF what it is that I do as a professional DBA. She uses computers but has never seen a line of code.

    Explaining what lawyers, doctors, politicians, psychologists, teachers or accountants do can be vulgarized in a phrase or two that almost anyone will understand. We see them a lot on TV or in the news. We can see the results. It's quantifiable even sometimes.

    As anyone came up with something that works for DBA's and will satisfy the curiosity of people outside the realm of computers?

    Thanks.

    ___________________________________
    I love you but you're standing on my foot.

  • Though vague - I just tell them I work with computers - if they have no clue.

    That said, "database" should be pretty well understood these days.

    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

  • "You know Google? Okay, where you type in information, that's the front end. They make it pretty and give you a thousand options in a way you can work. I do the back end. I make sure the data your front end requests shows up quickly and accurately."

    That seems to work the best for me.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

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  • Craig Farrell (4/28/2011)


    "You know Google? Okay, where you type in information, that's the front end. They make it pretty and give you a thousand options in a way you can work. I do the back end. I make sure the data your front end requests shows up quickly and accurately."

    That seems to work the best for me.

    I like that approach.

    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

  • I tell my family, and others, i make sure lists are available, I use a gym membership list as an example.

    My first gig as a DBA I had many cliets in a contact center enviroment from the auto industry. I started using the list explanation after I was asked if I still sold cars for a living:-)

    Andrew

  • I'm the data police. All those online orders you may have made? All that private information of yours? I'm supposed to protect it. If any of it's at the company I work for.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • I just talk about the information on a form, like a drivers license. It all gets stored somewhere and I'm the guy that manages the stuff that does the storing.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • I am in charge of Security, Recoverability and Performance of the information that uses SQL Server databases

    Done!

  • I tried saying I worked with computers, but had so many requests to fix printers or help set up wireless networks that I changed and now I say I am a taxi driver. Nobody ever asks me for a free lift to the airport! why is that?

  • Ian-440692 (4/29/2011)


    I tried saying I worked with computers, but had so many requests to fix printers or help set up wireless networks that I changed and now I say I am a taxi driver. Nobody ever asks me for a free lift to the airport! why is that?

    Drug dealer ends the conversation even faster... I never tried it but that guy from the 4 hour work week did and it seems to do the trick for him! Tim Ferris iirc.

  • 440692 I am just a number (4/29/2011)


    I tried saying I worked with computers, but had so many requests to fix printers or help set up wireless networks that I changed and now I say I am a taxi driver. Nobody ever asks me for a free lift to the airport! why is that?

    Yeah - that happens - but if it isn't family there is a nominal charge 😀

    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

  • SQLRNNR (4/29/2011)


    440692 I am just a number (4/29/2011)


    I tried saying I worked with computers, but had so many requests to fix printers or help set up wireless networks that I changed and now I say I am a taxi driver. Nobody ever asks me for a free lift to the airport! why is that?

    Yeah - that happens - but if it isn't family there is a nominal charge 😀

    Nominal?

    <snicker>

    I've seen your rates. Donald Trump charges less. @=)

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Just tell people you're a cowboy. No one ever asks for help branding their calves.

  • SQLRNNR (4/29/2011)


    440692 I am just a number (4/29/2011)


    I tried saying I worked with computers, but had so many requests to fix printers or help set up wireless networks that I changed and now I say I am a taxi driver. Nobody ever asks me for a free lift to the airport! why is that?

    Yeah - that happens - but if it isn't family there is a nominal charge 😀

    A man needs to eat:cool:

    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

  • Michael Valentine Jones (4/29/2011)


    Just tell people you're a cowboy. No one ever asks for help branding their calves.

    Where I live you'd get asked to do that. :hehe:

    You may get asked to help do something like this.

    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

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