What's the Career Outlook for Database Programming?
Database programmers, including database administrators, play an important role in the world of information technology (IT). These professionals are responsible for database maintenance. They have the capacity to design, create, and implement databases. In addition, database-programming professionals are tasked with the responsibility to protect information. These duties can be grouped into three categories: programming, data processing, and data maintenance.
Programming roles usually entail the creation of custom database systems for specific applications. Companies also deploy DB programmers to write code that enables applications to interact seamlessly with the custom database. When it comes to maintenance, it is the responsibility of database programmers to troubleshoot and fix any malfunctions.
As a qualified professional in this field, you spend a significant amount of time providing technical support. You will handle additional tasks like job scheduling, data recovery, upgrades, and data backup. You may be required to help formulate an effective disaster recovery plan for the IT infrastructure. Duties also involve providing support for fellow team members, end users, and clients.
Your role as a database programming professional also entails validating, editing, and formatting of files. You work on data files that you import into the system in addition to writing scripts, queries and procedures in SQL (structured query language). You are expected to perform regular quality assurance inspections and to ensure data integrity.
You may work on small or large projects involving a number of programmers and analysts. You will have access to a wide variety of advanced tools that are designed to speed up the programming process. Doing so enables you to focus on the most complex, unique, and demanding programming tasks. It is common for DB programmers to teach or write instructions for staff members who will use the software or applications.
Additional Duties
- Merge old databases into new, well-developed systems
- Secure organizational data
- Update database permissions
- Restore data in the event of a loss
- Identify user needs to create and administer efficient databases
- Implement and test modifications to the database structure
Certification and Training
To become eligible for database developer positions, you are required to have a bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent qualification. Many employers also prefer candidates with relevant experience. Organizations with extensive database infrastructure tend to hire professionals with a master's degree.
In-depth knowledge of multiple database programming languages is also key to success in the field. However, the Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most commonly used database language. On the other hand, the majority of relevant IT programs cover subjects, such as project management, database technologies, computer fundamentals, and more.
Certification makes it easy to validate your programming skills to potential employers. The credentials are well suited to individuals competing for an internship, job opening, or career advancement. In addition, it is ideal for students preparing for college or applying for a graduate program.
You can opt for vendor-neutral or vendor-specific certification. Some of the vendor-specific credentials designed for database programmers include Oracle and MySQL. These options are some of the highly sought-after certifications. They boost credibility and improve your competitiveness on the job market.
MySQL certifications are available in two options: Database Administration certification and the MySQL Developer credential. The curriculum for the later covers various topics, including using hierarchical and tree data structures, query writing, and more.
Oracle certification courses explore the differences between PL/SQL and SQL. In addition, you will gain an in-depth knowledge about how to automate and extend the structured query language when administering the Oracle database. The coursework is aimed at boosting your knowledge on how to enhance database solutions using SQL.
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for database administrators are set to increase by up to 11%. This applies to the period between 2014 and 2024. The figure indicates a faster growth rate compared to other fields. The expansion is attributed to the increased adoption and scaling of advanced information infrastructure by organizations.
Database programmers are needed to help organizations design, create, implement, and maintain databases capable of handling the ever-increasing data volumes (big data). The popularity of database-as-a-service is expected to contribute to increased job opportunities for DBAs. Cloud computing firms are active in this area.
The Future of Database Technologies
The information technology sector is always evolving. For this reason, IT professionals need to stay updated about new technologies and trends. Future systems may merge various database systems to support multiple functions. The capabilities may include supporting multiple languages, data models, storage formats, and processing techniques in a single system.
Do you believe you would make a great database programmer? If you're interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with an emphasis in Database Programming, consider ECPI University for the educational background you need to get started in this exciting career path. For more information and to get all of your questions answered, connect with an ECPI University admissions advisor today.
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Gainful Employment Information – Database Programming - Bachelor’s
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