A Career Comparison: Database Administrator and Network Administrator

Transcription

1 A Career Comparison: Database Administrator and Network Administrator Career Research Consultant Career Options Inc. 173 Everstone Drive SW Calgary Alberta T3B 0Y4 August 27, 2012

2 A Career Comparison: Database Administrator and Network Administrator Prepared for: John Hughes B.Sc. in Computer Information Systems Prepared by: Career Research Consultant Career Options Inc. August 27,

3 August 18, 2012 Mr. Hughes Career Options Inc. 173 Everstone Drive SW Calgary Alberta T3B 0Y Ave NW Calgary, Alberta Dear Mr. Hughes As requested by you on July 14, 2012, enclosed is the report containing comprehensive information on two career options; network administrator and database administrator. In addition, there are recommendations in favor of network administration based on your responses to our career selection questionnaire and the extensive research on the two career choices. The report highlights the key features of both careers educational prerequisites, duties and responsibilities, work environment, outlook on the current and future market as well as remuneration, paying particular attention to opportunities for fresh graduates. The report sourced information to study the two careers from the latest research and statistics drawn from current Canadian job market in the field of information technology (the references can be found in the appendices at the end of this report). This report covers both careers extensively and the recommendations for the career as a network administrator are based on a substantial amount of comparative study. Reading the report should give you a clear perspective of both careers and help you make a right choice. If you need any more information, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Career Research Consultant 2

4 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION... 4 PURPOSE... 4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS... 4 SOURCES AND METHODS... 5 REPORT ORGANIZATION... 5 FINDINGS... 5 NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR... 6 Educational Requirements... 6 Duties and Responsibilities... 6 Income Expectations... 7 Work Environment... 7 Current and Future Job Market... 7 DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR... 8 Educational Requirements... 8 Duties and Responsibilities... 8 Income Expectations... 9 Work Environment... 9 Current and Future Job Market... 9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDIX A - CAREER CHOICE QUESTIONNAIRE APPENDIX B CHART OF TOP TEN VACANCIES BY ICT OCCUPATION FIRST QUARTER OF APPENDIX C - REFERENCE LIST

5 INTRODUCTION The greatest challenge for professionals is not to choose a career but to choose a career of their choice, a career that is fulfilling. In addition, it is important to make the right career decision based on specific job related research. Career Options Inc. offers extensively researched career guidance to its clients, helping them make informed career choices that optimize their potential. Our expertise in career guidance offers a wide range of career navigation that directs our clients to promising and rewarding career choices. In response to your request, this report presents two comparative career options, based on the current and future job market trends. Purpose The purpose of this report is to analyze comparative information on two career options, that is, network administrator and database administrator. The report summarizes the requirements of both careers, highlighting the key factors such as job requirements, job outlook, work environment, responsibilities as well as remuneration, with the aim of providing objective information, offering a clear perspective of the careers. The recommendations in favor of one career option are based on your responses to our career selection questionnaire and a comparative job market research. Scope and limitations The scope of this report focuses on an extensive survey of job markets in Canada for Network Administrators and Database Administrators, paying particular attention to opportunities for fresh graduates. The information pertinent to the two careers covers only five areas of job requirement and is primarily based on the comprehensive secondary research using official government statistics, books and reliable internet sources. However, the report covers only the information and statistics covering the period and some information, for example wages may have changed since then as information 4

6 technology is a dynamic industry. Please take note the report only offers career guidance; it does not arrange any interviews or job offers. Sources and Methods The primary research was carried out using a questionnaire pertaining to your career preferences The secondary research was conducted using government statistics, books and internet sources such as Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS). The aim of the secondary research was to extract the relevant information and statistics relating to two careers. The list of references is included in Appendix B. Report Organization The chapters of this report are sub-divided into: Introduction Findings Conclusions and recommendations Appendices - Appendix A: Questionnaire - Appendix B: Chart of Top Ten Vacancies by ICT Occupation First Quarter of Appendix C: Reference List FINDINGS Our extensive research established, there are many professions where people work all day and nothing concrete comes out of it. IT is different in that you are constantly building whether it be networks or 5

7 computer systems or workflows or websites or databases or whatever else and the results at the end of the day are absolutely visible. (Alpert & Pollock, 2009, p. 7). The comparative study of careers in network administration and database administration presents the following findings, covering the key factors of each career in accordance with the current job market trends: Network Administrator A network administrator responsibility includes maintaining an organization s network, that is, network related hardware such as servers and network operating systems. Ensuring that the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) functions efficiently and meets the needs of the organization. Educational Requirements According to Alberta Learning Information Service, Currently most employers in Canada prefer: University graduates with a Bachelor's degree in computer science/information systems. Alternatively, applicants with a computer related diploma. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certifications are an asset. Usually organizations look for applicants who have a solid technical background (graduate degrees in computer science/information systems) with coursework that covered network design. Duties and Responsibilities Duties and responsibility depend on the nature and size of a network. However, the key areas covered by network administrators include: maintain local area and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) 6

8 assess and install network related hardware and software configure and ensure the maintenance of routing and switching equipment identify network related problems and replace faulty components configure and deploy hardware and software security systems manage wireless and optical fibre network media implement and manage network related procedures perform data backups and ensure disaster recovery procedures are in place maintain records and prepare reports pertaining to systems operations Income Expectations The salary package of a network administrator will be offered based on several factors which are qualifications, work experience, the location and size of workplace. The 2011 Alberta wage and salary survey conducted by Alberta Learning Information Service projects that Albertans in the Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians occupational group earned on average from $26.65 to $38.98 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $33.32 an hour. (Government of Alberta, 2011). Work Environment Network administrators, generally, work in server rooms and offices that are environmentally controlled. The standard working hours may be 8 hour shifts, depending on the nature and size of an organization s network system. A network administrator may be required to work overtime when configuring a new network or in case of network troubleshooting. There may be some travelling involved due to managing wide area networks. Current and Future Job Market Statistics provided by Alberta Learning Information Service indicate that that there are over 4,600 people employed in the computer network occupational group in Alberta alone, reflecting a 2.9 per cent annual average growth from 2011 to Regarding the future trends, it is estimated that there will be 133 new job opportunities every year, excluding the emerging job positions due to employment turnover. It is 7

9 expected that the baby boomers retirement over the coming few years will contribute to an increase in employment turnover. The future trends in network administration will be influenced by a number of factors that include: location in Alberta will be a deciding factor, for example, the location is in urban or rural area the demand will be determined by the creation of new job opportunities turnover of employees, relinquishing the existing jobs will result in more job openings industrial growth will affect employment, for example, the gas and oil industry is a significant contributor to the future job market trends in Alberta Database Administrator The role of a database administrator is to install, upgrade, configure, administer, maintain and monitor the databases in an organization. The key responsibilities are to monitor and improve performance of database management systems to its full capacity. Educational Requirements According to Alberta Learning Information Service, a database administrator position is not an entry level position. Employers will give preference to applicants who have several years of experience in the area of database management. Other requirements include: University graduates with a Bachelor's degree in computer science/information systems. Alternatively, applicants with a computer related diploma. Oracle Certified Associate(OCA) or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) are an asset Duties and Responsibilities A database administrator's typical responsibilities include the some of the following tasks: 8

10 install database servers and related application tools plan and allocate existing and future system storage for the database/s modify the database structure in accordance with information provided by application developers maintain security of database systems comply with license agreements in accordance with the software distributors maximize the performance of the database/s by monitoring and managing user access ensure the backup and recovery of information included in the database/s prepare reports as and when necessary Income Expectations There are several factors that determine the salary of a data administrator such as qualifications, work experience, the location and the size of workplace. The 2011 Alberta wage and salary survey forecasts that Albertans in the Database Analysts and Data Administrators occupational group earned on average from $25.84 to $37.95 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $31.02 an hour (Government of Alberta, 2011). Work Environment A database administrator usually works full time with occasional overtime, depending on the tasks such as malfunctioning of database system or implementing certain changes to the database. Travel may be a part of a routine job, depending on the scope of work and the divisions of an organization. A data administrator is expected to work for long hours at a stretch and taking details at a close range. Regular intervals or breaks may be necessary during the duty hours. Current and Future Job Market Alberta Learning Information Service projects over 2,700 database analysts and data administrators, reflecting 2.8 per cent average annual growth in Alberta during the period In addition to job 9

11 opportunities due to employment turnover, 76 new job opening are forecasted in each year in the above indicated time frame. Additionally, the retiring generation of baby boomers will further contribute to job openings. Future job market trends affecting the job opportunities for data administrators will include: job opportunities created by current employees quitting their positions location of job openings such as rural or urban areas new job opportunities arising from occupational growth industrial growth is a deciding factor in the creation of job openings CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The comparative study of careers in network administrator and database administrator reflects promising prospects in the current and future job markets. The information in the Findings section stipulates the main features of both careers in accordance with the job market trends. However, based on the assessment of your responses to our questionnaire and your qualifications in relation to job requirements and the prevailing market trends, we recommend the career of network administration more suitable for you. As a network administrator, you will have more scope of career advancement and professional growth as the future job market trends are more favorable as illustrated using a chart in Appendix B. The chart provides a comparison the top ten advertised IT job vacancies on the JobBank website (one of the largest web-based networks of job postings available to Canadians) in first quarter of In case you would like to get any clarification about any section of the report, we would be glad to offer our services to you. 10

12 APPENDIX A - Career choice Questionnaire 11

13 Rate questions on a scale of 1 to 3. Do you easily get bored or lose interest Do you quickly adapt to new and changing situations Do you prefer a highly structured work environment Would you think of yourself as an idea person Do you like or try to find new challenges Do you prefer repetitive work that you are familiar with Rate questions on a scale of 1 to 4. Very important Very True Somewhat True Important Somewhat important Not True Do you prefer a job that does not cut into your personal life too much How important is it for you to plan and design how things should work Unimportant Do you prefer a work environment with less chances of harm or injury Do you prefer a job that has regular contact with people 12

14 How would you rate your mathematical skills? Excellent Moderate Good Poor What would motivate you more, job satisfaction or wage satisfaction Job satisfaction Salary satisfaction Do you prefer a work environment in which you are primarily indoors or outdoors? Indoor environment Outdoor environment Both environments Doesn t matter Would you be hesitant on job that requires regular long and short distance travelling? Yes No Doesn t matter 13

15 How would you rate your computer programming skills? Excellent Moderate Good Poor 14

16 APPENDIX B Chart of Top Ten Vacancies by ICT Occupation First Quarter of

17 Chart 1 - Top Ten Vacancies by ICT Occupation 2012 Q1 Database Administrators Software Engineers Computer and Information System Managers Web Designers and Developers User Support Technicians Graphic Designers and Illustrators Network and Web Administrators Electrical and Electronics Engineers Information Systems Analysts and Consultants Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers ,000 1,200 Note. Data provided by ICTC s Labor force quarterly monitor 2012 Source available in Appendix C Vacancies 16

18 APPENDIX C - Reference List 17

19 References Alpert, G., & Pollock, S. (2009). Careers in information technology. (p. 7). Philadelphia, PA: WetFeet Publishing. Government of Alberta (n.d.). Alberta Occupational profiles - Computer Network Administrator. Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS). Retrieved August 17, 2012, from mat=html&occpro_id= &snt_id=25 Government of Alberta (n.d.). Alberta Occupational profiles -Data Administrator. Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS). Retrieved August 17, 2012, from mat=html&occpro_id= &snt_id=25 Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) (2012). ICT Labour Force Quarterly Monitor 2012 QM 1. (p. 6). Toronto, Canada: Retrieved from Stanton, J. M., Guzman, I. R., & Stam, K. R. (2010). Information Nation: Education and Careers in the Emerging Information Professions. USA, NJ: Information Today, Inc.. Retrieved from atabases+networks 18

20 Uhrbach, M., Schaan, S., & Anderson, F. (2009, November). Technological Change in the Private and Public Sectors. Statistics Canada. Retrieved August 18, 2012, from 19