In today’s world, every organization needs to store and work through a plethora of information to offer better products and services. And critical business decisions depend on fast data processing and retrieval. The slightest latency can impact a user’s experience and create issues with applications and apps dependent on the database.
With robust and advanced database technologies, there is a high demand for professionals who can design, deploy, administer, maintain, and support these database infrastructures. A database infrastructure refers to hardware, software, policies, analytics, business intelligence, and more.
From database administrator to database architect, database engineer to database analyst, every role greatly impacts a database infrastructure. In this article, we will discuss six careers you can take in database technology.
1. Database Architect
A database architect designs develops, and codes for database management systems. The role requires evaluating existing architecture (if any) and if the architecture meets the current and future business needs. As a database architect, you will plan for future database expansions, enhancements, and technology updates as required.
A database architect ensures data consistency by developing data collection techniques. Also, make it easier to find specific information and ensure correct results. A degree in computer science and familiarity with data modeling and database design principles may be required to become a data architect. Furthermore, expertise in data governance policies and procedures will provide you with an advantage.
Besides a bachelor’s degree in computer science, proficiency in SQL, Hive, and Python will get you started as a database architect. Software development life cycle (SDLC), project management, and cloud computing are must-have skills.
2. Business Intelligence Analyst
If playing with data and contributing to an organization’s overall business strategy interests you, then this is one of the best careers in database management you can opt for. A business intelligence analyst (BI analyst) analyzes data and presents reports enabling an organization to make informed decisions and enhance future strategies.
As organizations are collecting more data, the role is in high demand. As a BI analyst, you will analyze collected data to identify trends and perform sentiment analysis. This will help executives and stakeholders see a clearer picture and take necessary steps to improve internal processes and customer experience.
To start a career as a BI analyst, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or relevant fields, for an entry-level position. To move in this career path, you need to have data ETL (extract, transform, and load) skills and proficiency with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
3. Data Scientist
Data scientists are professionals who analyze a plethora of structured and unstructured data and derive insights from that data. They use machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence to ask the right questions, find solutions, and present their analysis using visualization tools. This helps relevant stakeholders make informed decisions and work on areas of opportunity.
A data scientist must have in-depth experience with relational and non-relational databases like Redis, MongoDB, and Apache HBase. This role requires performing data ETL (extract, transform, and load) techniques to filter bad data. And that requires a good skillset in data mining and extraction.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a data scientist, you may need a bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, or computer science. Technical skills required to excel in your career include but are not limited to, statistical analysis and computing, deep learning and machine learning, data visualization, and programming experience.
4. Database Consultant
A database consultant assesses the business needs of an organization and recommends solutions and best practices related to database and information systems. As a database consultant, you will be planning, developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the database technologies of an organization. They devise and implement disaster recovery (DR) plans in case data gets corrupted or compromised. A database consultant also troubleshoots database performance issues and finds solutions to any problems or errors in the database.
A database consultant is required to have in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in database design, administration, and data warehousing. As a database consultant, you must have working experience in performance tuning, including optimizing existing queries, index improvement, and OS configuration.
Soft skills required to succeed as a database consultant include analytical thinking and an out-of-the-box approach to challenging situations. You must be detail-oriented and have strong communication skills, time, and project management.
5. Data Modeler
As a data modeler, you will work with database architects and administrators, helping them design databases and data models using relational and non-relational databases. The role requires working closely with software development teams to create data flows, develop conceptual data models, and implement data strategies.
As a data modeler, you will work with raw data and derive insights from it to help relevant stakeholders make informed decisions. You will evaluate data models, databases, and naming conventions for any potential issues. And ensure adherence to best practices so that there are no database discrepancies.
If a career as a data modeler interests you, you may need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Hands-on experience with data ETL (extract, transform, and load) methodologies, data and information visualization, and data modeling will help you succeed as a data modeler.
6. Database Administrator
A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for evaluating, maintaining, patching, updating, and troubleshooting an organization’s database infrastructure. As a DBA, you are expected to monitor logs effectively for warnings, error messages, and potential security issues. You will be identifying the source of issues and troubleshooting performance bottlenecks. The job involves inspecting hardware and connected devices and suggesting timely upgrades.
A degree in computer science or a relevant field is required to start a career as a DBA. Aside from that, you must have strong database programming skills, such as SQL, PHP, Ruby, Scala, and others, depending on the database you’re administering. You should be familiar with stored procedures, user-defined functions, and triggers to succeed in this role.
Conclusion
Database technologies are revolutionizing how we gather, store, and process large datasets. Extracting insights from structured and unstructured has become a possibility due to the advancement of databases. From database administrator to data scientist, each role requires a unique set of technical skills. That includes substantial coding to low or no coding at all.
There are many career options available in data technology. Choose one that aligns with your professional goals and personal interests. Invest time in yourself to upskill and stay relevant in your current role. Upskilling will also help you get to your dream career easily.