With a wide open future and a huge scope of possible employers ranging from small to huge firms, opportunities abound for job seekers interested in learning SQL (structured query language). One possible avenue of employment is in the field of computer database maintenance. Someone seeking SQL employment and who goes into the computer database maintenance field can work for any business that uses computer systems. Large industries with enormous databases and small offices where the database may only have the company payroll and customer addresses employ those with SQL experience. Working a 40 hour week in an office environment is just the start. Many who work in SQL positions work overtime and weekends to maintain systems and they must be present anytime a data base problem is encountered.
Computer database administrators perform maintenance on the company data base. They write, design and take care of the database systems so that the right people can access the right information at the right time. A database is a collection of computer files that the company wishes to track. It can contain anything from addresses and inventory to payroll and other critical information for company operations. For those with SQL experience the job of setting up or reorganizing an existing database is a challenging and lucrative one. The SQL programmer writes programs that tell the computers how to sort and store data and also programs that can extract information to produce reports as needed. Some also design security programs to protect the company information form hackers as well. They are a critical team member at any company they work for and need to be persons of integrity and responsibility. They are privy to sensitive company information and the access to that information as well as seeing that the database functions flawlessly so the productivity and employees hours are functioning at maximum potential.
Those who wish to work in SQL careers will need formal training. At least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, systems science, telecommunications or a related field as well as high school classes in mathematics, computer science, and physics will be needed. Candidates for jobs in this field may also need specific training certification. Training such as Microsoft Corporation has established provides a system in which candidates can earn a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certificate after passing a series of tests that cover all aspects of planning, setting up, maintaining, and using a Microsoft SQL Server.
The Bureau of Labor Statistic listed 104,000 database administrators as employed in 2004. Employment in this field is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Also Computer database maintenance jobs can translate into higher level positions if the employees show an aptitude for managing people as well as database systems. Because the tracking of information accurately in companies is critical in the highly competitive business world and due to the rapid grow of technology in all segments some will eventually become the chief information officer in their company. Due to increased networking more and more job openings will become available.
Computer database maintenance jobs carry a salary range that varies widely with the size of the company and the complexity of the database itself. In 2005 the median wage for the field was $60,650 yearly according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics but according to the "Computerworld Salary Survey 2005" (Computer- world, October 24, 2005) the median yearly salary for a database administrator was $81,152 in 2005. Those in management jobs earn more.
This is a highly competitive field but new positions can be found every day by looking in newspapers or on Internet job sites and many employment agencies specialized in placing applicants in computer related positions. If you are willing to acquire the skills needed and polish them then one of these coveted positions can be yours. With training those who enjoy computer based information management can turn that aptitude into a meaningful and stable career with great advancement potential.
