database field

programmer24

what is it like working with databases as a dba? are there any entry level database administrator opportunities around the tri state area nj/ny/pa? also what is the pros and cons of being a dba

paul78

From your previous posts, I assume you have a desire to be a dba and you are seeking an opportunity to break in.

While I have never exclusively been a dba, I do and have worked with many dba's.

In my experience, I have never really heard of entry-level dba roles. (it kinda like looking for an entry level CIO job; an extreme example but hopefully you get my point) Most of those types of roles require some level of previous systems support or development background. If there are entry-level dba roles, I would imagine that they are mostly simple level-1 positions similar to an operations role performing database duties like backup/restore, access setup, and log monitoring.

As for pros/cons - I imagine that's heavily dependent on what you would consider a pro or con Most of the dba's that I know have jobs similar in principal to email administrators - just a different application stack.

programmer24

yes I agree paul I just want to build on the database experience since I know about creating databases, dml, ddl, dcl, and besides its better to me than becoming a software developer I hate sitting at a computer and writing programs 8 hours of days

paul78

If that's the case, your best bet is to try to get a support position first. Any kind of helpdesk or operations role where the job includes exposure to database support is your best bet.

Just be aware that to learn the intricacies and nuances of being a successful database administrator or database engineer, you will absolutely need to get real-world experience. No organization is going to put an unproven individual to the keys to their databases which is usually the key to the business.

BTW - a DBA job is basically sitting at a computer all day. And I would imagine that entry-level positions are very rote and repetitive. That doesn't mean it's boring - it's what you make of it.

programmer24

where I can find a helpdesk job that deals with databases

paul78

There's no magic bullet. Where have you looked? I would suggest the usual places:

Job Search | one search. all jobs. Indeed.com
Dice.com - Job Search for Technology Professionals
Find Jobs. Build a Better Career. Find Your Calling. | Monster.com
Jobs & Job Search Advice, Employment & Careers | Careerbuilder.com
Craigslist > Cities

programmer24

some of the position looking for 2 to 5 years experience and I just graduated in December 2012 like I have a year experience or less

paul78

I just did a quick search on indeed.com in your area - NJ. Here's a bunch that you can apply for.

Help Desk, Data Entry jobs - Dice.com
Help Desk support Data Entry Operator
Career Search - Rothstein Kass

The jobs are out there - you may not get a perfect fit. But right now - it sounds like you need a foot in the door and to get some paid experience.

programmer24

that's all I need a foot in the door because if I just get the certs then I don't know how that would affect me

UniqueAgEnT

What degree do you have from which school?

What is your 1 year of experience?

You can upload your resume and we can suggest which role to look for.

Database roles are very tough to jump into without exp.

W Stewart

If you're looking to find a job that deals with databases at all, you're probably going to need prior experience in other areas of IT. Database related roles aren't really entry level. You're dealing with someones data and it's very easy to mess something up. My previous role was dealing with point of sales systems and we dealt with anything from restaurant sales to employee information to menu items. Some stuff was backed up, some tables were too large or changed too frequently to back up very often so you had to be very careful or you could end up very unemployed. I thought I learned a lot about databases then but now I work at a webhosting company. We don't touch the actual data but we do troubleshoot mysql connectivity and performance issues/tuning along with SQL Server for the Windows servers. I still don't consider myself anything close to a DBA but I would imagine that years of system administration experience could get you there.

W Stewart

programmer24 wrote: »

yes I agree paul I just want to build on the database experience since I know about creating databases, dml, ddl, dcl, and besides its better to me than becoming a software developer I hate sitting at a computer and writing programs 8 hours of days

If you don't want to sit at a desk all day then you're better off looking for a field tech position or any position that involves setting up and configuring computer or network hardware. Whether it's help desk, programming, database administration or system administration your going to be sitting at a desk. It's just the nature of most IT career fields. We're not really out in the field doing any back breaking labor and if you don't want to do programming then you'll probably start out in a call center at a desk taking call after call with no break making considerably less money than you would be making as a programmer who's every bathroom break isn't being monitored. Trust me, if you've got the college degree and the skills to be a programmer you can make life a lot easier on yourself by avoiding the low paying overworked help desk role.

programmer24

OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a position utilizing strong technical skills, educational background, and ability to work well with others in a team setting
TECHINICAL SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
Programming Languages: Java, PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, JQuery, C/C++, C#, VB.Net, SQL
Software Applications: Eclipse, Dreamweaver, WebMatrix, Visual Studio, Microsoft Office, Textpad, Crystal Reports
Database Management: MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle
Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Ubuntu
Other Technical Skills: System Analysis & Design concepts, PC Imaging, Basic Networking Concepts, Basic Troubleshooting
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
NJ Community Development Corporation Paterson, NJ
IT Assistant 3/2012 to 5/2012
Organized the Paterson Family Center (PFC) Database by exporting the database from Excel to Access
Planned, designed, and updated the PFC Database by using the database normalization techniques and query wizard/SQL commands in Access to create new tables
Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ
Student -Database Project 1/2012 to 5/2012
Planned, analyzed and designed a web phonebook application
Coded, tested, and debugged the web application
Performed maintenance on the web phonebook application and presented to the class
Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ
Student-Applied Systems Development Project 9/2011 to 12/2011
Worked with a team to create a school registration application for Bloomfield College including writing the requirements and using cases documents, Gantt Chart, and business documents to design and analyze it
Implemented and tested the application program to see if the program ran without any issues
Performed maintenance on the school registration application and presented it to the audience
Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ
IT Assistant 5/2011 to 8/2011
Organized the IT room to make sure equipment was properly placed
Assisted the IT technician with setting up the computers around different buildings
Learned about Ethernet slicing, repairing computers and printers, and basic networking and PC imaging
WORK EXPERIENCE
McCarter & English LLP, 　Newark, NJ
Operations/Mailroom Clerk 6/2008 – Present
Process and sort incoming and outgoing first class mail, FedEx, UPS, Eastern Connection packages, and Express Mail for attorneys
Perform office duties including checking supplies for office and photocopying and faxing documents
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, December 2012, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ
Major: Computer Information Systems
this is my resume

N2IT

Good luck on your job search

programmer24

hahaha very funny maybe databases will be good for me since im kind introverted lol

N2IT

I wish you the best.

programmer24

Thank you man. I actually went to the interview at nyc for a web developer position and I didn't get it because of my poor interview skills. Also it made me realize I am not good in programming as I thought I were

programmer24

one more thing inorder to specialize in the database field do you need portfolios for that

N2IT

You need experience for that.

Seriously most DBA's I know of have been with a company for a long time and know how the data flows and/or CS majors or identified earlier on because of their tremendous skill sets. Some are old dogs still hanging on from the golden years.

Keep working at your skills and get into a company and move on up. That's the best I can offer you.

programmer24

Basically I need to find a helpdesk/data/quality assurance/business analyst jobs that would help me be a dba

N2IT

quality assurance won't happen most likely, BA would require some experience, unless you know someone. Data is a stretch again that would be the hardest to land out of all of those, maybe tied to QA. Sounds like service desk would be your best bet.

You could try for those others on a short term contract, that maybe a possibility.

programmer24

you mean helpdesk

Psoasman

Help Desk is also known as Service Desk and you will likely start there. As you gain experience, you can start to specialize. Most companies are not going to let someone untested work on their databases. One thing you could do is to put together a portfolio of your own databases and show how they work with a program you wrote.

W Stewart

Psoasman wrote: »

Help Desk is also known as Service Desk and you will likely start there. As you gain experience, you can start to specialize. Most companies are not going to let someone untested work on their databases. One thing you could do is to put together a portfolio of your own databases and show how they work with a program you wrote.

Yes, people get fired behind mistakes that cause loss of data. I've had an Engineer at a previous job tell me that if I screwed up anything in a particular database that we would all be fired. I'm honestly glad that my current job has a hands off policy on data.

programmer24

What do you do there