Looking to get into SQL DBA .. Advice ?

[UKContractor83]

Hi,

I have been contracting for around 5 years, like most worked my way up from desktop support. Currently working as a network administrator.

I am looking to take the next step in my career, the easiest and most logical would be to stay in Networking. But i feel the way the market has been the last few years .esp cisco contracts. i should take the plunge to another field. i.e. SQL DBA.

Therefore over the last year i am on the verge of completing my MCSE. Next step would be to do MCDBA maybe MCT in SQL 2005.

The question : How hard is it to break into the SQL job market with little experience ? Even if its a JR roll ?

Also, developer or DBA ?

Thanks for your help.

[YHB]

QUOTE=UKContractor83;660236]Hi,

I have been contracting for around 5 years, like most worked my way up from desktop support. Currently working as a network administrator.

I am looking to take the next step in my career, the easiest and most logical would be to stay in Networking. But i feel the way the market has been the last few years .esp cisco contracts. i should take the plunge to another field. i.e. SQL DBA.

Therefore over the last year i am on the verge of completing my MCSE. Next step would be to do MCDBA maybe MCT in SQL 2005.

The question : How hard is it to break into the SQL job market with little experience ? Even if its a JR roll ?

Also, developer or DBA ?

Thanks for your help.

[/QUOTE]


If you accept very low rates than easy. easier to break into development than dba as the former allows u time but in the latter if a disaster occurs and your on cover...

With Sql developer you will be more and more required to know an additional skillset for front end ie .Net/Asp etc

And do MCT in 2005 not MCDBA in 2000 as thats getting out of date

[KentPhilip]

I'm a SQL DBA and I got into it by doing a job supporting an enterprise application written by a software company that used SQL Server at the back end. So inevitably I got involved in DBA'ie type things so gaining that experience.
That was in the days I was permie though.
Yes 2000 is dying. Go for 2005 or 2008.

[London75]

I'm a SQL DBA and I got into it by doing a job supporting an enterprise application written by a software company that used SQL Server at the back end. So inevitably I got involved in DBA'ie type things so gaining that experience.
That was in the days I was permie though.
Yes 2000 is dying. Go for 2005 or 2008.

WHS, started supporting an application with SQL 6.5 as backend and was a DBA through SQL Versions and some DB2 and teeny bit of Oracle for 10 years.

Pay can be good but it's very steady eddie work so don't expect excitement unless everything dies and you are single handedly responsible for saving the company!

[Stan.goodvibes]

You might wanna consider the path I am taking (of least resistance) which is moving away from the DBA side of things to the SQL Server Business Intelligence stuff.

You gotta do the Reporting Services, the Analysis Services, then the Business Intelligence courses and exams. Its more development than DBA.

[expat]

I know it's OT and unhelpful, but I really really do wish that people would not say SQL when they mean SQL Server. I'm not just being pernickety, it's because it screws up searches (which is probably what MS had in mind).

[Spacecadet]

I know it's OT and unhelpful, but I really really do wish that people would not say SQL when they mean SQL Server. I'm not just being pernickety, it's because it screws up searches (which is probably what MS had in mind).

Its derived from Sybase SQL Server

But, thats beside the point, I agree with you about shortening Microsoft SQL Server to "SQL" and I really hate it when agents do it

[expat]

Its derived from Sybase SQL Server

But, thats beside the point, I agree with you about shortening Microsoft SQL Server to "SQL" and I really hate it when agents do it

Yes: have "SQL" anywhere on your CV, and you will keep getting calls for SQL Server DBA roles

[crimdon]

You might wanna consider the path I am taking (of least resistance) which is moving away from the DBA side of things to the SQL Server Business Intelligence stuff.

You gotta do the Reporting Services, the Analysis Services, then the Business Intelligence courses and exams. Its more development than DBA.

I quite fancy doing that as I find that being a SQL Server DBA to a bit too quiet for my liking. Grabbing Business Objects experience seems like a good route to go down too.

[Stan.goodvibes]

I quite fancy doing that as I find that being a SQL Server DBA to a bit too quiet for my liking. Grabbing Business Objects experience seems like a good route to go down too.

Yeah I have a developer background but have done a lot of T-SQL and BA database design stuff and prefer that to coding.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who wants to comment on the availability of contracts for MS Business Intelligence