What is Database Administration?
Database administration simply means that the administrator is watching over and protecting a company’s data. They are responsible for tracking how the company uses databases to catalog all information and store it. The database administrator secures the data collection and manages it through best practices and by managing lower-level employees.
Database administrators work in virtually every industry in the state: healthcare management, finance, education, and more. Projected employment for professionals in database administration is predicted to grow faster than the average for other occupations. Professionals in this field also earn higher salaries than many other U.S. wage earners. Looking at the numbers, 1,300 database administrators were working in Connecticut in 2018.
Database administrators may find the highest numbers of job openings in the Hartford-West and East Hartford areas. Other good places to look for positions are in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk area.
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Database Administration Education in Connecticut
While Connecticut is small in land mass, it is big in industry. The information and tech industry, which includes database administration and management, comes in eighth in the state’s top industries. This industry contributes $13.6 billion to the state’s economy each year. This means that students who want to attend the best database administration colleges in Connecticut should be able to find the degree program that is right for them.
The fact of the matter is that database administrators are needed in more than just the information and technology industry. Other industries also make use of these talented professionals. The three largest Connecticut industries are professional and business services (3.37 billion); finance and insurance ($37.7 billion); and real estate, rental and leasing ($40 billion).
The employment of database administrators in Connecticut is close to that of other states. And job projections for this state show that job numbers will grow 9.1%, though this is slower than the average for the nation, which is 11.5%. Database administrators in Connecticut earned $59,000 to $148,580 in 2018. The average median salary was $100,180 and DBAs earned from $28.37 to $71.43 hourly.
Online Associates (AS)
Community college students enrolled in a database administration associate degree program in Connecticut may gain exposure to subjects such as operating systems, databases, computer programming, computer networking, information security, and more.
An associate degree in database management gives students a wider understanding of other fields of study that are close to information systems, as well. These include math, management, communication, and accounting. Students may even be able to customize their database administration degrees to their particular interests through electives offered in the degree program. Online courses are also often available if in-person attendance isn’t possible.
Those majoring in data administration may earn an Associate of Science in computer information systems technology or an Associate of Applied Science in Pathway Transfer Computer Science Studies. For students who want to become a database administrator in Connecticut, they may begin as computer programmers, network administrators, web software developers, database specialists, and more once they have earned their associate degree.
Online Bachelors (BS)
The student who has chosen a bachelor’s degree in database administration will be learning many things, the least of which is how to work with an electronic database. Once they have completed their degree requirements, they may be employed as a network administrator, computer support specialist, systems analyst, entry-level software developer, web designer, or database administrator.
If the student doesn’t live close to the campus, distance learning may be an option; you can check a prospective school’s website to find this information. Regardless of whether the student attends classes on-campus or selects one of several online degree programs, they should be exposed to a broad foundation of computer science learning. This will likely include programming, networking, database engineering, Linux system administration, front-end and back-end web development, and software engineering, among other things.
These programs equip students with the knowledge and experience to learn and develop troubleshooting and problem-solving skills that will help them when they have graduated and found jobs in the field.
Online Masters (MS)
At the graduate school level, students learn about business data analytics as it relates to database administration and various management styles, as well as more detailed information in business. Students know that businesses in almost every industry need to work with large amounts of information because the data these companies use has expanded tremendously in the last decade.
The insights students gain in these programs allow them to help their employers increase the profitability of their businesses. Database administrators also increase company productivity, improve the operations of departments in companies, and enhance the decision-making processes of managers in these organizations.
Students will be educated in statistics, programming, and business practices. By the time the student graduates, they should possess a full understanding of how they should deploy predictive analytics and be able to use what they learn in the workplace. Some of the coursework you might find in one of these programs includes Applied Econometrics, Business Forecasting, Data Visualization and Communication, Business Analytics, Global Supply Chain Management, Decisions in Operations Management, Supervised Machine Learning, and more.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
Students preparing to earn their PhDs or doctoral degrees in technology management or similar technology degrees will complete a variety of milestones on the path toward their degrees. Students may become familiar with entrepreneurship, the cornerstones of new venture creation, innovation, and corporate ventures, etc. They may also gain knowledge on legal issues, management, finance, product commercialization, and new product development.
Candidates should be able to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions in new international opportunities which are technology based. They will work, communicate, and interact with others who have expertise in different areas during these programs, and these experts may be scattered around the world.
A large part of the PhD student’s work includes writing high-quality research papers which can be published in well-known journals. They also write research proposals to be submitted to funding agencies.
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Become a Database Administrator in Connecticut
Students planning to enter the database administrator field have a wide range of options open to them, both in Connecticut and elsewhere. They may choose to go through business administration programs, as well so that they can broaden their knowledge and experience. Database management includes information systems, where professionals create information technology solutions and combine them with business operations.
In the State of Connecticut, database administrators are not required to hold any specific licensure. In the same way, there are no required certifications or examinations needed to work in this field anywhere in the state. However, the same may not be true for companies that are headquartered or have locations in Connecticut.
Some companies may require their database administrators to hold certifications in order to work for them. These certifications communicate to employers that the professional they are considering hiring has the experience and knowledge they are looking for. You can often find the courses and exams needed to earn these certifications online. Depending on what a company is looking for, you may need to earn some vendor-specific or vendor neutral certification before you can be hired. And, whether certification is required or not, it can help you find more job opportunities.
Here are some certifications that might help database administrators find new job opportunities:
- Oracle Database 12c Administer Certified Professional Certification
- IBM Professional Certification Program
- Oracle: MySQL Database Administration Training and Certification
- SAP HANA: SAP Certified Technology Associate
- And Many More
Careers for Database Administration Graduates
- Payroll Administrator
This professional is in charge of the payroll processes. They determine each employee's wages, then make sure their salaries are paid on time and in the correct amount.
They are responsible for employee data and verify that timesheets are correct. This professional needs strong math and multitasking skills. They will be expected to manage all areas of payroll accurately and in a timely manner.
- Information Technology Manager
Also known as an IT manager, this professional supervises, carries out, and ensures the maintenance of their employer’s computing needs. They make sure the operation of every computer system, hardware, related application, and software are secure and being used effectively. An IT Manager should have a detailed knowledge of industry best practices and show proof of a professional track record of strong technical management and informational analysis. - Database Administrator
This professional oversees the management of company databases, as well as their maintenance. They stick closely to data management policy, verifying that company databases are operating correctly. They also ensure that databases are regularly backed up, in case data loss occur. When problems develop, the DBA is the first person to respond. They ensure that periodic maintenance and troubleshooting is carried out. These professionals should be skilled problem solvers and communicators. They should also be fluent in several data manipulation languages. - Data Analyst
Data analysts collect and store data in several areas that an organization needs. This may include market research, sales numbers, linguistics, applied data analytics, and logistics. They are expected to have technical expertise to use in ensuring that accuracy and quantity of data is good. They process the data, design, and present it so that organizations and leaders can make the best decisions for the organization. Data analysts must be able to spot the smallest details in their work; having an understanding of the most-used data analysis tools and databases also helps them on the job. - Database Engineer
A database engineer is responsible for the design and maintenance of databases. They may be required to increase database capacity, troubleshoot any functionality issues in the database, and review the performance of the database, along with user reports.
This professional should know and understand data management best practices. They should also have experience in a closely related role, such as management information systems. At their best, a database engineer should have skills that ensure the organization’s information flows freely throughout without being accessible to those who do not have permission to access files.
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- Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer
A QA engineer focus on software, specifically finding and identifying possible problems and bugs in the software. Much of their work is to plan out and carry out tests to check for efficacy, efficiency, etc. They may also create new tools and technology, along with testing processes and they document test progress and the results.
Software issues and delays cost companies money. A QA engineer ensures that new software is ready to be released and also ensure that development and testing stays within budget.
- Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts are responsible for designing and carrying out security systems to protect the company’s computer networks from cyber-attacks. They may also be responsible for establishing and maintaining security standards. They investigate any security breaches and cyber security incidents. - Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
This high-ranking manager is responsible for creating and putting into place an information security program. This includes policies and procedures that have been created to protect computer systems, enterprise communications, and company assets from internal and external threats. The CISO may work closely with the chief information officer (CIO) to obtain cyber security products and services. They may work together to manage disaster recovery and business continuity plans in the event of a cyber-attack or other disaster.
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