What Do Database Administrators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Database Administrators administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases. They also test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.

Other tasks include:

• Plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
• Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
• Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
• Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production database.
• Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
• Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.

We asked Database Administrators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Database Administrators test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications. They select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production database.

• Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
• Establish and calculate optimum values for database parameters, using manuals and calculator.
• Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
• Plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
• Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.

We asked some Database Administrators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	97% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	43% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	57% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	6% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Database Administrators also specify users and user access levels for each segment of database. They may also review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Database Administrators Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases. They might also Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.

In addition, they Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Develop data model describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software.

To some Database Administrators, it is also their responsibility to Review procedures in database management system manuals for making changes to database.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Database Administrator, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm

http://www.acm.org/

http://www.comptia.org/

http://www.coeforict.org/