I want to be a DB Admin

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I want to be a DB Admin

jervyn

SSC Enthusiast

Points: 193
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November 20, 2013 at 6:32 am

#395863

I'm a graduating student and I want to be a DB admin in the future. Where should I start? I know mysql and php.
I searched in this forum and can't see where beginners should start. Kindly lead the way please. I'm kinda confuse. Thanks in advance!

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

Where should you start? Generally either on the sysadmin side or the developer side. DBAs aren't usually hired with no experience at all, it's a big risk handing over the company's data to someone straight out of school. Junior sysadmin jobs are easier, though probably not as easy as junior, entry level developer jobs.

It's easier to join a company as say a database developer and move across to the DBA side than it is to be hired straight as a DBA with 0 experience.

http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2009/04/how-to-get-a-junior-dba-job-part-1/

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

Abu Dina SSChampion Points: 14155 More actions · Answer 2

Firstly, welcome to SCC 😀

There have been loads of discussions on this topic in the past. Try with the search box (top-right) and see what you find.

Here is one I found for you:

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic806663-1291-1.aspx

For me it was taking a hefty pay-cut (a worthwhile sacrifice IMHO) to get the opportunity to become a DBA. But I did have experience as a database developer/MIS Analyst prior to making the switch. Others will have a different story to tell.

Some other links you'll find useful:

http://www.johnsansom.com/

http://www.brentozar.com/

Good luck!

---------------------------------------------------------

It takes a minimal capacity for rational thought to see that the corporate 'free press' is a structurally irrational and biased, and extremely violent, system of elite propaganda.
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Society has varying and conflicting interests; what is called objectivity is the disguise of one of these interests - that of neutrality. But neutrality is a fiction in an unneutral world. There are victims, there are executioners, and there are bystanders... and the 'objectivity' of the bystander calls for inaction while other heads fall.
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jervyn SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 3

Thank you Sir for the replies I appreciate it a lot.

I am clueless sir where and what to study first I'm currently reading an ebook on "How to be an exceptional DBA"

Abu Dina SSChampion Points: 14155 More actions · Answer 4

jervyn_almanon (11/20/2013)
Thank you Sir for the replies I appreciate it a lot.
I am clueless sir where and what to study first I'm currently reading an ebook on "How to be an exceptional DBA"

I wouldn't want to discourage you from reading any books but I don't think that's the right place to start. I've been at this for a year and a half and I don't feel I'm even an average DBA yet!

Personally I would work on getting your CV/resume prepared so that you can confidently apply for junior SQL Server positions when you've graduated. You need to get an opportunity to get your hands dirty with MS SQL Server day in day out. Build yourself a test server at home and play around with it. Enthusiasm and a can-do attitude when starting out your IT career will help you get the opportunity you want. But as has been pointed out above, securing a DBA position as a first job is going to be almost impossible as nobody is going to make you the gatekeeper to their data if you've had no prior experience.

Best of luck.

---------------------------------------------------------

It takes a minimal capacity for rational thought to see that the corporate 'free press' is a structurally irrational and biased, and extremely violent, system of elite propaganda.
David Edwards - Media lens[/url]

Society has varying and conflicting interests; what is called objectivity is the disguise of one of these interests - that of neutrality. But neutrality is a fiction in an unneutral world. There are victims, there are executioners, and there are bystanders... and the 'objectivity' of the bystander calls for inaction while other heads fall.
Howard Zinn

jervyn SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 5

Abu Dina (11/20/2013)
jervyn_almanon (11/20/2013)
Thank you Sir for the replies I appreciate it a lot.
I am clueless sir where and what to study first I'm currently reading an ebook on "How to be an exceptional DBA"
I wouldn't want to discourage you from reading any books but I don't think that's the right place to start. I've been at this for a year and a half and I don't feel I'm even an average DBA yet!
Personally I would work on getting your CV/resume prepared so that you can confidently apply for junior SQL Server positions when you've graduated. You need to get an opportunity to get your hands dirty with MS SQL Server day in day out. Build yourself a test server at home and play around with it. Enthusiasm and a can-do attitude when starting out your IT career will help you get the opportunity you want. But as has been pointed out above, securing a DBA position as a first job is going to be almost impossible as nobody is going to make you the gatekeeper to their data if you've had no prior experience.
Best of luck.

Thank you sir. I'm not expecting to get a junior SQL server position. Because in the future I plan to take trainings and certifications. As of now I don't have enough money so I want to self study.

Sir do you know any links where I can study/learn how to use MS SQL server for free so I can start creating my own test server?

Thank you so much.

Keith Tate SSCrazy Eights Points: 9938 More actions · Answer 6

jervyn_almanon (11/20/2013)
Thank you Sir for the replies I appreciate it a lot.
I am clueless sir where and what to study first I'm currently reading an ebook on "How to be an exceptional DBA"

As a PASS Chapter leader I would strongly recommend you find a local chapter and start attending their meetings.

http://www.sqlpass.org/PASSChapters/LocalChapters.aspx

If you can't find a local chapter then start one. I started the chapter in Albuquerque and it was pretty easy. Another option is to join a virtual chapter to get a ton of free learning.

After that the next step would be to speak at your local chapter on a topic you really enjoy.

Microsoft Certified Master - SQL Server 2008
Follow me on twitter: @keith_tate

Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]

jervyn SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 7

Keith Tate (11/20/2013)
jervyn_almanon (11/20/2013)
Thank you Sir for the replies I appreciate it a lot.
I am clueless sir where and what to study first I'm currently reading an ebook on "How to be an exceptional DBA"
As a PASS Chapter leader I would strongly recommend you find a local chapter and start attending their meetings.
http://www.sqlpass.org/PASSChapters/LocalChapters.aspx
If you can't find a local chapter then start one. I started the chapter in Albuquerque and it was pretty easy. Another option is to join a virtual chapter to get a ton of free learning.
After that the next step would be to speak at your local chapter on a topic you really enjoy.

Thank you sir I saw one but no post in the forum. I'll try to find virtual chapters thank you so much

Beatrix Kiddo SSC-Dedicated Points: 32407 More actions · Answer 8

I can't really advise because I'm fairly new to the game myself, but one thing to do would be to look at job adverts and see what skills they're asking for. Also try to work out what sort of DBA you'd want to be (Production, Development, other). You may not figure this out until you have a bit more experience under your belt, though; http://www.brentozar.com/sql/picking-a-dba-career-path/

There's no substitute for practical experience, but you can download the Express edition of SQL Server legally and for free here so you can work on it on your own computer. It doesn't have all of the functionality of the paid-for versions but you won't need them yet.

There are even free databases you can download to work with, containing sample data. Adventureworks[/url] is the SQL Server 2008 version.

Finally there are loads of free e-Books[/url] on this site. Some of them are quite advanced so you might want to hold off for a bit, but the Backup & Restore[/url] book is very useful and I would recommend that. You can download it for free as a pdf, or put it on your Kindle/iPad/whatever.

Hope that helps.

jervyn SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 9

Beatrix Kiddo (11/20/2013)
I can't really advise because I'm fairly new to the game myself, but one thing to do would be to look at job adverts and see what skills they're asking for. Also try to work out what sort of DBA you'd want to be (Production, Development, other). You may not figure this out until you have a bit more experience under your belt, though; http://www.brentozar.com/sql/picking-a-dba-career-path/
There's no substitute for practical experience, but you can download the Express edition of SQL Server legally and for free here so you can work on it on your own computer. It doesn't have all of the functionality of the paid-for versions but you won't need them yet.
There are even free databases you can download to work with, containing sample data. Adventureworks[/url] is the SQL Server 2008 version.
Finally there are loads of free e-Books[/url] on this site. Some of them are quite advanced so you might want to hold off for a bit, but the Backup & Restore[/url] book is very useful and I would recommend that. You can download it for free as a pdf, or put it on your Kindle/iPad/whatever.
Hope that helps.

Thank you sir! This is a great help atleast I have now a starting point. Thank you so much sir.

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 10

If you want to learn and practice, a good free resource can be Microsoft Virtual Academy.

http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/

Luis C.
General Disclaimer:
Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help: Option 1 / Option 2

PravB4u Default port Points: 1401 More actions · Answer 11

Hi,

If you want to learn and practice,

I have listed few good free resource which provides you video tutorials, hey are very detailed and professional.

click here[/url] for more details.

Praveen D'sa
MCITP - Database Administrator 2008
http://sqlerrors.wordpress.com

jervyn SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 12

Thank you Sir Luis and PravB4u

I will study hard I promise and be a great DB admin someday.

I will return the favor soon thanks a lot to the guys who helped me.

jcb SSCertifiable Points: 6574 More actions · Answer 13

There are a lot of topics about becoming a DBA, search for it.

Funny thing is most people around is not a DBA and started to play with SQL by chance.

Try out the QotD, they are a fun quiz and I found I can learn a lot just by searching about the questions.

CKX SSCrazy Points: 2519 More actions · Answer 14

I'll throw another resource in here.

The product documentation for SQL Server, generally known as Books Online.

It has a number of links to basic tutorials and how-to's.