Randomly got offered a Junior Oracle DBA position today

As some may know, I've been interested in networking/security over the years but recently I've been getting into business intelligence/data warehousing/data modeling. Lately, I have been meeting a lot of managers with different departments, just seeing what their department does and getting myself out there. I've realized networking is not my passion, so I wanted to see what my current company could offer..

I met one of our DBA's about a month ago, just a brief conversation and randomly today, his boss came to me to see if I was interested in a junior Oracle DBA position (roughly 60-65k, live in CO]). Honestly I'm still shocked about the job offer and not to sure what to think. I've never really thought becoming a DBA but since the offers is on the table, I should definitely evaluate the offer and my career.

About me:
1 year of networking
3-4 years in a different field
I hope to finish my BS in IT Business Management next summer (2013)
A few certifications, mostly networking, nothing related to databases.

After doing research on the career, I have mixed feelings about the profession. Half of what I read says DBA's are in demand and can pay very well! and the other half says DBA's will be gone in 5-10 years.. And if the latter one is true, I would definitely avoid this profession.

So now I ask for your opinions.

Would you take the offer, why or why not?
How do you feel about the database field?

Please add anything else that may help.

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Comments

kanecain

DBAs gone? Who's replacing them? If anything, they're overworked. Please post sources supporting this.

YuckTheFankees

I have read multiple articles and threads stating their jobs will start to diminish but I have read just as many articles stating the opposite, that's why I'm confused. And I know you can only take certain articles with a grain of salt.

I googled; "are oracle DBA's in demand", "career outlook for DBA's", etc..

pram

The fear-mongering is most likely related to the recent popularity of NoSQL databases like MongoDB. I'd take it with a grain of salt. Relational databases aren't going anywhere, and neither are DBAs.

WiseWun

It's not like your moving away from IT, you got a new role that pays more right? Even if the articles were true, 5 years is a long way to go especially if your in IT.

YuckTheFankees

WiseWun,

That's what I was thinking. 5 years is a while from now. I'm leaning towards taking the position. I wouldn't start the position until early next year though.

WiseWun

Cool! I love networking with folks, I have gotten to know lots of managers and as a matter of fact, one of them approached me not to long ago and said he wants me on his team. Career development is an everyday thing and should come naturally. @Yuck, what is your current role?

YuckTheFankees

I'm currently a NOC tech. I'm still early in my career but I'm beginning to learn how important it is to network.

truckfit

Do whatever you are passionate about and do something that you love doing.

If it is networking then stay in your current one, it is not worth swapping jobs and being miserable.

Although 65k per year is good for someone with just a year of I.T work experience.

But I am sure you will be able to achieve that in the networking feild after a couple to several years of experience.

best of luck

Krones

You come across as an agile professional in that if you had to pick up a new technology you will do so and quicker than most. If you aren't digging the network gig, forensics, or penetration/vulnerability assessment no harm in trying this out for a change and who knows what it will lead to - definitely the big bucks.

Zartanasaurus

You seem to change your mind about what you want to do every 2-3 months anyway. This looks like a pretty good opportunity. If you have any interest in being a DBA, you might as well do it and stick with it for a while.

YuckTheFankees

You are right about that. It's better to test the field out first, rather than going 100% into something you may not like.

Thanks to everyone who has posted. As of right now, I am leaning towards taking the position and seeing what the career has to offfer. The DBA's at my work seem to really enjoy their work.

N2IT

Sounds like a great opportunity. For selffish reasons I hope you end up taking it

EMcCaleb

I believe it’s an exciting opportunity that will benefit you in many ways. As many here will attest, a DBA (with seasoning) has a very strong understanding of enterprise communication as a whole. Understanding dataflow and entity relationships is going to help you in no matter which direction you ultimately choose to go in your IT career. Being a DBA can also lead to positions in database development, database architecture, network architecture, enterprise architecture, data modeling, systems design etc.

I say do it posthaste

YuckTheFankees

I decided today, that I will be accepting the position next week

.

My plan for before I start the position:

*Read as much as I can on relational databases
*Start using SQL everyday for at least 10-30 minutes
*Look into getting the OCA certification

N2IT

You'll learn what you need on the job. Of course extra reading outside of work will help you ramp up quicker.

lantech

Congrats on the new job. Sounds like a great company to work for. Hope you enjoy your new role.

DBAs aren't going anywhere anytime time soon. You'd be amazed at what can happen when a database blows up. Then a good DBA is worth his/her weight in gold. Hopefully the seniors you will be learning from are good at their job.

YuckTheFankees

Thanks for your input lantech. The more people I talk to, the better I feel about the position.

burfect

I'm aware this is an old thread.. but after reading through it, I find it interested that someone was offered an Oracle DBA position without ANY prior DBA experience? Considering all I can seem to find is 3-5 years exp in this and in that, can anyone care to elaborate on this?

crrussell3

In his case this one is one of those "It's not what you know but who you know" scenarios. The position was offered internally by a manager from another department. The manager obviously knew what his skillset was as a DBA, but saw others things in him and knew they could train him to be a dba.

networker050184

Sometimes its who you know not what you know.

Damn beat me crrussell3.

demonfurbie

iif dbas are going away in 5~10 years .... why are we still (for the most part) using tcp/ip that was gonna be dead 8 years ago??

lsud00d

burfect wrote: »

I'm aware this is an old thread.. but after reading through it, I find it interested that someone was offered an Oracle DBA position without ANY prior DBA experience? Considering all I can seem to find is 3-5 years exp in this and in that, can anyone care to elaborate on this?

I'm interested in this as well...I wouldn't imagine it vice versa?!