All our day to day activities are actually extensively noted on Databases. Most people don't really think about it, yet actually significant amounts of what we do is documented and stored on different databases. 'Databases' store and give 'data' on our country's complete economic system. Property records, bank details & share values are all kept on vast 'databases'. A lot of these records are also obtainable in hard-copy, but digital indexation provides for much easier access. If you use a debit or credit card to pay for something, the information is recorded on a database. If you've ever wondered why you suddenly started getting money off coupons for dog food from the super-market, the chances are you bought a number of goods which suggested that you now, most likely, own a dog. The DVLA's motor vehicle registration database is used all over the place; call at a garage & request a component - and they will be able to tell you the precise make and model from the car registration. The Capital's Congestion Charging system, & the government's road tax avoidance-scheme also use this data, by means of the street cameras that we all see everywhere.

Around the world, the most commonly used database systems are Oracle and MS 'SQL' Server. 'Oracle' is an older system still used on large-scale installations, but SQL Server is more common now in most business environments; 'SQL' has grown to be the 'de facto' norm for Databases on the internet. Obviously, as 'SQL' Server is owned by MS, the organisation has incorporated it in to all of it's platforms & programs. For those seeking to become vendor accredited then, its the obvious route to look at. The MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) and MCTS ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') packages have now succeeded the older MCDBA ('Microsoft Certified Database Administrator') certifications. SQL Server 08 is gaining a bit of momentum, but it is not widely used in the commercial environment yet. For that reason, the MCITP DBA training includes the more commonly used SQL-Server 2005. In keeping with a number of MS's other accreditations, a variety of MCTS modules come before the final MCITP.

Both 'DBA's' and DB Developers are typically incredibly methodical and ordered men and women, who pay a good attention to detail, and like working in smaller teams, or alone. Very good communication skills are an advantage, because there will be regular inter-action with higher management. Security is becoming a growing dilemma as progressively more sensitive data is captured and kept - making database jobs highly responsible. Professional 'confidentiality' will be imperative, and a substantial amount of trust and integrity will be needed by the organisation. Professionals from accounting and business environments can make first class DBA's, and in many instances the role is a stepping-stone to a more senior placement in the business hierarchy.

We have proven that 'databases' certainly are a major feature of the life we live, so exactly what career paths are present in this industry? There are 2 key career paths if we view 'databases' from the I.T. point of view. Developing and constructing the Databases - plus the actual software that manages & allows access to them; & administering them - together with producing reporting-systems which use the data. The Administrator role is far more in demand - in business a 'Database Administrator' is more commonly known as a 'DBA'. Medium size to large corporations need to employ DBA's to supervise the daily operations of the 'databases' they are running. Procedures like security & the back up of information require management. DBA's also must produce reports for managers that will allow them to come to educated commercial decisions. They need to have gained a professional understanding of 'SQL' - the most common database 'language'. Interrogating 'databases' to draw out information is standardised with 'SQL' ('Structured Query Language').

For anyone who's more interested in the 'development' side, MS deliver the 'MCITP' DB-Developer program. It will include a lot of initial design, rationalisation and set-up of Databases, but doesn't really extend to full database programming. For additional info about training in Database programming, you should look at the actual Programming section of this site. In fact, you'll discover a much greater interest as far as work opportunities are involved in the Administration side of the equation. And yet if you would like to become a developer, then our tip is always to plan the DB Developer certification into a more comprehensive set of Programming training. As each year goes on, it's best to also look at taking the MCTS qualification in SQL Server '08.

If you are starting out in this business, then it would be wise to preface your database study with software support instruction. This will provide you with some lower-level accreditations, that will help you get your first foot on the ladder, and also give you an understanding of a further valuable facet of the industry. An outstanding program for the new starter is the 'MCDST' ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician'). If you then continue this accreditation with the 'MCTS' and the MCITP, you will have done a whole career track which will more often than not take close to five hundred hrs to finish. But, as always, we urge caution prior to making any kind of selections in isolation. Speak with a reliable expert with practical experience of the industry first, in order to make sure that your preferred profession will be fulfilling, & your learning style matches the style of study. If you don't really focus totally on where you wish to get to, you may find that you're way off track & many hundreds of pounds worse off!