July 26, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I am a 43 year old .NET/VB Developer who wants a new challenge and would like to move over to a SQL DBA role. This is a role I have done in my past (2000 - 2004) and I have recently passed my MCTS(Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration) exam. However, several people have said that I am too old to be in a Development environment and being a DBA and/or a Developer is a young mans game! I should, if I had any sense, move into a management role.
What do people in the real world think?
July 26, 2010 at 4:05 pm
phil.layzell (7/26/2010)
I am a 43 year old .NET/VB Developer who wants a new challenge and would like to move over to a SQL DBA role. This is a role I have done in my past (2000 - 2004) and I have recently passed my MCTS(Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration) exam. However, several people have said that I am too old to be in a Development environment and being a DBA and/or a Developer is a young mans game! I should, if I had any sense, move into a management role.What do people in the real world think?
You aren't too old. If you enjoy working with Databases and SQL Server, then go for it.
July 26, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Not too old. Maybe the naysayers should be reminded that they are too immature to be a dba. 😀
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
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July 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm
CirquedeSQLeil (7/26/2010)
Not too old. Maybe the naysayers should be reminded that they are too immature to be a dba. 😀
I'll second this sentiment. Why is development a young mans game? Because they can stay up longer than us? Let them work harder, we have learned how to work smarter!
July 26, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Lynn Pettis (7/26/2010)
CirquedeSQLeil (7/26/2010)
Not too old. Maybe the naysayers should be reminded that they are too immature to be a dba. 😀I'll second this sentiment. Why is development a young mans game? Because they can stay up longer than us? Let them work harder, we have learned how to work smarter!
Yes indeed.
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
July 26, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I became a DBA when I was older than you, and I'm somehow managing to get by.
There are projects that are so mismanaged that they become a death march that kills everyone but the young, but no one, young or old, wants to be on them anyway.
In the words of PJ O'Rourke, "Age and experience beats youth and a bad haircut."
July 26, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Hi Phil,
Welcome to the world of SQL Server.
You are the man. Forget about people comments. They will just make your goals and aspirations gloomy.
Age is only for the body and not for the Mind. It's the attitude that alone counts.
And Database administration is not for chicken-hearted people. It's a path only for the brave-hearts.
If you love SQL Server then wait not! Just jump in to the SQL Server battlefield and show to the world that you are an untenable Gladiator!
Go ahead! No more looking back! You will create wonders!
Thank You,
Best Regards,
SQLBuddy.
July 26, 2010 at 4:42 pm
There's (at least) one thing you can't get by simply reading books: experience!
Even if it's not directly SQL Server related experience. Over the years I've learned to stay calm while trouble shooting and have a decent repertoire of "been there, done that".
July 26, 2010 at 5:25 pm
You can definitely do it. I think that the world of databases needs a little maturity, something many young people don't have.
I know some great developers that are older, and indeed many of the top posters here that regularly help others are older than you.
August 2, 2010 at 10:27 pm
phil.layzell (7/26/2010)
I am a 43 year old .NET/VB Developer who wants a new challenge and would like to move over to a SQL DBA role. This is a role I have done in my past (2000 - 2004) and I have recently passed my MCTS(Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration) exam. However, several people have said that I am too old to be in a Development environment and being a DBA and/or a Developer is a young mans game! I should, if I had any sense, move into a management role.What do people in the real world think?
Many thanks for all your encouragement. I am more determined than ever not to give up on my goals.
August 2, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Congrats Phil..All the best
Welcome to SQL Server World..
August 5, 2010 at 10:27 pm
(In India) There are actors above 40 years age who play the role of a college students in the movies.
There are cricket players above 40 years age in the national team and win the matches.
So a person above 40 years of age can certainly be a DBA.
Fitness matters, not age. If one is fit for a role, age should not be an issue.
August 6, 2010 at 5:17 am
Your comments make me wonder who it is that's saying you're too old for this. Are they peers of yours? Are they older? Or are they the "younger men" who are worried about you stealing their jobs? @=)
I once experienced an odd case of subtle reverse discrimination. I was hired to work at a company to babysit a legacy server in addition to my customer service duties. That's what the woman who would be my boss told me during the interview. But once I was hired, she did everything she could to make sure that all I did was customer service. It took me a while to realize that she had decided women weren't capable of doing IT work.
She didn't seem that old fashioned of a person, but she was older than me and I guess her prejudices were set because she never hired men for customer service work and only ever considered them for the heavy lifting type jobs.
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