Good article.

It's amazing to me how many DBA's know how to create tables and indexes, but they have no idea how to create GOOD tables and indexes.  The first thing a DBA should learn is how to build a solid relational structure, normalized and optimized, for whatever project the development team is working on.

the "Administration Only" jobs are disappearing, especially for IT, as tasks are automated (as all repetitive work should be) and replaced by software.  This is definitely a good thing.

A solid foundation is important before branching out into other disciplines.  This is the only way you'll know when smoke is being blown up your butt...

cl