How to break into being a DBA?

I guess no one is out there..

1. Need a Lucky break.
2. Security Clearance helps.
3. College definitely helps, for many contracts require it.
4. Experience, see step 1. If you work somewhere that has Orace/SQL Server etc.. you have a chance to help out and work yourself in, especially if the DBA quits, then hopefully you can slide in. .... But the days of buying a PC at Best Buy, walking next door to Borders and buying Oracle book, and dropping $$ on training and getting a job are over.
5. You really have to love it, for $$ is not a good reason.

Good luck.

i don't know anyone who has gone from college into a DBA role..
I took a course in Access and got a job doing data analysis in FoxPro, learned T-SQL on the job, was promoted to administering our limited FoxPro databases (on a very basic level).
I then took an Application /Database Support role (sql server) which i have been in for almost 3 years..in that time i have progressed and was promoted to DBA.

Do you like information and data? If so, maybe find a job doing analysis or support. Even though a lot of high level DBA's don't really use the data, they must understand it and appreciate it.

Even with my skills, I would not have the experience to go for a high paying DBA job..i need a few more years under my belt..and I'm currently getting MS certs to back up my skills.

4 or 5 years ago my husband used to taunt me by saying I'd end up a DBA. I swore I wouldn't..but here i find myself..and I'm not so bad at it. I think like a database, I am a database..and thats why it suits me.

Do you have any experience with databases, or programming?
What is drawing you to be a DBA?

As a DBA one of the questions is do you want to focus on SQL Server or Oracle, down the road once you know one then the other can be picked up pretty easy (at least for me picking up SQL server from knowing Oracle.

My advice is to start with an IT company in their helpdesk that uses either database structure that you desire to learn.

Regardless of which one both use SQL, make sure you are well versed in it, taking time to learn this outside the work place will be a huge benifit. Then you can create scripts to resolve issues that may have been presented to the DBA, if you are having an issue with your scripts a DBA that does not have a job security issue will be happy to guide you with a work in progress. That is your way in. Before you know it little side projects, or more DB issues will come your way.

This is how I started, I worked with a company in this manner for three years, and due to my experience, schooling, and certifications I am now a DBA.

Three other facts that I have found that are very important in a DBA position

- Life Cycle of information
- Teamwork
- Accounting, believe it or not if you have any accounting classes or experience it will place you a bit higher on the resume list for you understand the checks and balances to everything, DB's, numbers, ect.

And a side note, being a DBA is about avoiding fires, not putting them out. There maybe an event that you can not foresee, but if you are doing your job correctly most of the organization does not know you exist.

So if you work on your own and are fine with no one to turn to, other than support if you have a contract, and you love that thrill this is the job for you.

Steve

I would say there are several paths into becomming a DBA: you can start off as a developer/programmer and learn those skills first, you can go via the path as as administrator ( preferably Linux/Unix platform if you want ro move into Oracle) or you can come from a business background. In fact you should have all of these skills as well as good planning/documentation abilities and good communication skills.