How to become SQL Server dba

  • Hi, i am a new college grad with a bachelors in computer science and looking forward to becoming an SQL Server professional. I would appreciate some tips with regards to what path to take and also some certification advice and what books are good. I will also like some advice on how to get the first job and what industry to focus on. I already have some acadamic experience with databases and have started reading some books but advice from industry people will be very much appreciate. Cheers, Kakoneh.

  • after hard practice on SQL serevr 🙂

    refer SQL Server DBA Books

    Abhijit - http://abhijitmore.wordpress.com

  • There are lots of materials available for Sql Server. I will list down some useful websites where there are lot of articles which will help you,

    Websites

    *******

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com

    http://sqljunkies.com

    http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul

    http://www.sql-server-performance.com

    http://www.sql-articles.com

    White Papers

    **********

    http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/whitepapers.mspx

    http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/whitepapers/default.mspx

    Links for Learning SQL Server 2005

    **************************

    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/hi-in/vstudio/aa718391.aspx - SQL 2005 Express Videos

    http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlexpress/archive/2007/01/05/new-benefits-for-registration-and-new-absolute-beginners-videos.aspx

    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/aa740409.aspx - Virtual Labs for Sql 2005

    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/aa336346.aspx - Download SQL Express

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6931FA7F-C094-49A2-A050-2D07993566EC&displaylang=en - Evaluation Edition for SQL Server 2005

    http://www.microsoft.com/events/vlabs/default.mspx - Technet links for Virtual labs

    You can start with Virtual labs for Sql Server 2005 as it is the best one for beginners. Also joining and answering in the forums like these will help you improve your knowledge. I've mentioned few but lots are there, you can search in google.

    [font="Verdana"]- Deepak[/font]

  • You have 70-431 certification for DBA. The above links should help you get through it. But I would recommend 70-431 Microsoft press book which covers the entire syllabus. Apart from that you have SQL Server books online and the books written by Kalen Delaney refer,

    http://www.insidesqlserver.com/

    [font="Verdana"]- Deepak[/font]

  • Thanks a lot for your advice Deepak, all the Mentoring is much appreciated. I promise i am working hard at it, Cheers.

  • Dude...read one book on sql server 2000 administration, one book on 2005 administration and one book on T-SQL.....You will be good to go....but most importantly develop interest in this subject...read forums and questionaries...and practice a lot..

  • This site has a link to some job ads. There's always Monster.com, etc. Those and Google will get you all the hiring data you can possibly use and then some.

    I'm assuming that a good industry to get into would be alternative energy. Should be good for a few years, anyway, with the current political climate. Assuming USA, anyway. For other areas, it's still probably a good industry, but I don't know how good.

    As far as learning SQL Server, the best first step is get a copy of Dev Edition. You'll probably want 2005, but you might want to get a copy of 2008 as well. Once you have that, start building databases for your own use. Visit sites like this one, and build the tests and such that are posted here. You'll get some experience that way, even while job hunting.

    Perhaps a good place to start would be a simple database of jobs you apply for, and a log for updates, etc., on those applications. Practical and simple, but you can administer the heck out of it.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • My advice to you is to find a job as an application programmer. Learn to write good code in whatever language is required. Learn to be exacting and precise and more thorough in your thinkning than was required for the easy problems you are accustomed to, from the academic world. Work in the field for a few years on a variety of projects to gain broad understanding of real world IT problems/solutions. After that, you will be in a much better position to do dba work, knowing what app programmers are likely to want/miss/avoid/need/misinterpret, etc. I speak from enough years of experience to state that I started IT work with Fortran II on 2nd gen mainframes before PCs were dreamed of.

    Victor Victor

  • You can download a Red Gate's Trial Software that comes with a Free eBook. The ebook is a good source. Find it here: http://www.devx.com/RedGateVS/Door/37320"> http://www.devx.com/RedGateVS/Door/37320

    You can also check some of my posts with this topic in my blog:

    http://dbalink.wordpress.com[/url%5D

    -Marlon Ribunal

    SQL Server Database Administrator

  • I think there's a company in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is planning to offer a SQL Server University type thing where you apply and if you are selected for the class, they'll not only train you to be a DBA, with course work, etc., but also give you on-the-job experience, so once you've finished your course certification, you can go get a job somewhere else. I don't think they'll be charging for the course. I think they just pay you a low base salary to re-coop their costs. May not be for you, but could help somebody else. If they are interested, they should message me on this forum or something, and I'll see if I can find the company name.

  • Ariadne (8/8/2008)


    I think there's a company in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is planning to offer a SQL Server University type thing where you apply and if you are selected for the class, they'll not only train you to be a DBA, with course work, etc., but also give you on-the-job experience, so once you've finished your course certification, you can go get a job somewhere else. I don't think they'll be charging for the course. I think they just pay you a low base salary to re-coop their costs. May not be for you, but could help somebody else. If they are interested, they should message me on this forum or something, and I'll see if I can find the company name.

    Do you know of any company here in the LA or Orange County area that does a similar thing? Please let me know.

    SQL Server Database Administrator

  • Thanks for your advice, i am definitely interested...

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