Database Administration Specialization FAQs

What certificate programs are offered in database administration that compliments the associate degree programs?

There are two career studies certificates related to the database administration area. Information about each certificate is available by clicking on the link below.

• Database Administration Professional
• Database Administration Specialist

What if I want to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree?

LFCC is in the process of completing articulation agreements with George Mason University and Radford University so that the majority of the IST credits earned at LFCC will be applied toward a degree at the participating institution without requiring students to repeat courses. Students interested in attending another institution in Virginia or out of state, need to work closely with LFCC and the institution of choice to determine which LFCC credits may be transferable. More information about the Transfer process and participating instituations is available in the LFCC Transfer Guide.

Does LFCC offer internships for database administration students or assist with job placement after completion of a degree?

LFCC faculty and staff in the Career Services Office assist students interested in acquiring academic internships, which are designed to carry academic credit toward a certificate or degree program. Such internships provide a valuable opportunity for students to gain on-the-job experience in their particular area of study. Depending on the business, student internships may be paid or unpaid.

The Career Services Office also offers students free job search counseling and access to the College Central job posting Web site (http://www.collegecentral.com/lfcc). It is simple to upload your resume, enhancing your job search opportunities in the region. This Web site also offers students the ability to review and apply for jobs posted by many local businesses actively seeking employees.

For more information about internships, job search counseling or College Central, please contact Mark Mitchell at mmitchell@lfcc.edu or (540) 868-7236 or Doug Cumbia at dcumbia@lfcc.edu or (540) 868-7235.

What is the future outlook for database administration jobs?

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook lists database administration as a subcategory of computer scientists and database administrators. Employment of database administrators is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. Job growth will continue to increase as organizations adopt increasingly sophisticated technology and integrate it into their systems. The information technology sector is projected to remain one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy. For more information about job outlook, visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm.

What kind of salary could I expect to earn as a database administrator?

Salaries vary widely depending on several factors such as location, experience and the overall job market. However, as an example, the median expected salary for an experienced database administrator in Richmond, Va., is $84,420. For more information about job salaries, visit http://www.salary.com.

What does a database administrator do?

A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for the planning, maintenance and development of a database. Typical responsibilities could include some, or all, of the following:

• establishing the needs of users
• planning data flows for a new or revised database
• mapping out the “conceptual design” for a planned database in outline
• refining the “logical design” so that it can be translated into a specific data model
• further refining the “physical design” to meet system storage requirements
• testing new systems
• maintaining data standards
• writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary
• controlling access permissions and privileges
• training users
• meeting users' access requirements and resolving their problems
• ensuring that storage, archiving, backup and recovery procedures are functioning correctly
• working closely with IT project managers, database programmers and web developers
• providing technical support for outdated “legacy” systems
• communicating regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security
• commissioning and installing new applications

Because of the increasing level of hacking and sensitive nature of data stored, security has become an increasingly important aspect of the work. Additional insight into current job openings can be found by reading the job descriptions and responsibilities of various positions found at http://www.dice.com.

What are some of the professional associations for database administrators?

The Data Management Association (DAMA) International is an international not-for-profit association of data resource management professionals with local and virtual chapters around the world. DAMA International organizes an annual symposium that is the premier event in the arena of data and information management. Examples of other database associations include the Association of Database Developers. This organization focuses on providing a gathering place for database professionals to exchange ideas and advance their careers. Further sources are available through an Internet search.