The data science field is growing fast with various applications and roles. Within this industry, the database administrator is a high-level role that requires skills and experience.
So, what a day in the life of a database admin would be like? In this post, I will share stories about my work based on many years of experience in this role. It will give you a detailed overview of the career.
Who Is A Database Administrator?
As we know, database administration is the practice of managing and protecting data systems. And database administrators are responsible for aspects of the system and related resources.
One of the most popular tasks for this role is to protect data. It’s the priority role that all administrators have to perform. Besides, they can help manage the database and increase its speed.
Another thing to note is that database administration is an advanced role. Experts usually have to build their skills from other positions first. Then, they can get to this position.
The roles of this career can vary significantly, and it depends on the organization as well as projects you are working for. My daily work story in the sections below will give you more insights.
Workplace and Job Overview
I’m currently working for a technology corporation, and I am responsible for directing all activities related to the company’s data system. It’s an environment that stores and operates all of the business information.
I specialize in using management tools and programming languages. They are the vital skills and knowledge that I have been building from the beginning of my career. However, technical tasks are not the main part of my work.
My primary role is managing the system, including all the networks and resources. Since the data volume is too huge, I have to work with the other members of the department to manage it.
Here are some examples of my daily tasks:
- Assign different data-related tasks to the team member
- Review the other members’ work and provide feedback
- Monitor the system’s operation and identify errors
- Research for new methods to increase the system’s efficiency
- Protect the system against malware and attacks
Now let’s jump straight into a typical day of my work via the sections below!
1. Email & Work Progress (8:30 AM)
I always come to the work office at 8:30 AM and check my emails and the company’s platform for the next 30 minutes. All the team’s projects and assignments can be found on this system.
Then, I will review member work progress and assign small tasks to each member. If someone needs assistance, they can inform me. Besides, I also have small discussions with the department members before starting the main tasks.
2. Maintenance, Monitoring & Repairs (9:00 AM)
I usually check the company’s database system at this time. It’s my duty to keep the environment functioning properly. I will use a variety of tracking tools to monitor the system.
My company’s system consists of many servers that store a huge volume of data. So, I will cooperate with the other data experts on this task.
If there are any errors or security risks, I will inform the data engineering team. Then, I will discuss with these professionals to develop suitable solutions.
There are security analysts that check the system’s security level daily. They monitor and build detailed reports on the system. I will also check their reports and can give further feedback.
3. Testing & Optimization (11:00 AM)
I will research new solutions to help improve the system’s efficiency at this time. For example, I can look for technology that helps store and protect data better.
If I find a valuable idea, I will discuss it with the other data experts in the department. The team will then collaborate to develop a solution based on the newly discovered information.
Then, the team will perform thorough tests on the new methods to check their efficiency. This process repeats for every solution that our company utilizes.
There’s a one-hour break at 12:00 AM. I will go out for lunch and regain my energy for the afternoon schedule.
4. Backup & Recovery (1:00 PM)
I am responsible for creating backup plans in case the system gets hacked. There must be recovery plans that protect the company’s assets in emergency cases. It’s the task that I typically perform in the afternoon.
I will discuss with the other data engineers to store and retrieve the company’s data. The team also uses pen testing tools to check the backup database’s stability.
5. Progress Review (3:00 PM)
I will join a weekly meeting with the company’s board and managers at 3:00 PM. In this session, I will report on the database’s conditions. I also review the other professionals’ performance and progress.
After Work
The evening is devoted to my family and personal hobbies. Yet, working overtime is a common practice for this role. When there’s an emergency case or errors, I will have to work overtime to fix the problem.
The remaining of my free time is spent on developing my skills and experience. I’m currently taking some advanced online courses in database and networking.
Is Database Administration The Right Profession For You?
According to ComputerCareers.org, the average annual salary of database administrators is $108,227. They also receive an estimated extra pay of $5,850.
Besides the high income, this field offers you a chance to make the most out of your creativity. You can use knowledge to solve database development problems.
Moreover, you can also develop software scripts and protect data from attacks. Suppose you have built many years of technical skill and want to seek a new challenge. Then, database administration is an excellent option to consider.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a database administrator is my initial career target. Before, I worked as a database engineer for many years before moving to this position.
Overall, I’m happy with my current position as it brings very high income and recognition. I have the chance to interact and learn from many other IT experts.
If you love data science and have excellent knowledge and skills, feel free to pursue this amazing career path. Thank you for reading!