Database Administration Associate Degree Online
If you're looking for an associate degree that will teach you about computers so you can get a great, highly paid job once you're done with school, then you might want to look at getting a database administration associate degree.
Why Would You Want An Associate Degree In Database Administration?
Wouldn't you love to have a job where everyone loves and needs you on a daily basis? Your phone rings off the hook from people who desperately need your help, and when you swoop in and save the day with a few well-placed keystrokes, they proclaim you the Golden Computer Hero for the day, and then they take you out to lunch.
Well, you might not get daily free lunches as a database administrator (although, who knows?) but you will be a much loved, much needed part of a company's IT team.
If you love helping people, solving problems, and like the idea of being indispensible to everyone else in your company, then you definitely want to keep reading. A database administration associate degree might be perfect for you.
What You'll Learn In A Database Administration Degree Program
We're not going to mince words here: database administration is a technical field. If you're only slightly interested in computers you might want to look at some other degrees.
Who's the perfect candidate for this field?
Well, if you keep your original 1983 Apple IIe computer in a humidity-controlled glass case on your mantle, then database administration might be for you. Or, if you have more computers in your bedroom than you have family members in your house, then you might be a good candidate for this degree.
You definitely need to love computers to succeed in this field.
Some of the classes you might see while enrolled in a database administration degree program include:
- Programming Fundamentals
- Intro to Visual Basic
- Project Planning and Documentation
- Programming in Access
- SQL Server Development
- Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows (good luck with Vista…)
- And much more
Careers With An Associate Degree in Database Administration
So, what do database administrators actually do? Well, the job description can vary pretty widely.
Working in a corporate environment, you might be responsible for some, or all, of these tasks:
- Testing and installing new software
- Work with the system administrator to configure new software
- Setup and maintain database security
- Proactively ensure that the database is operating at peak performance
- Help design the first stages of a new database system
- Assist with database modeling and troubleshooting
As you can see, a database administrator wears many hats, which is why it's so important to get your database administration associate degree. There's a lot you need to know in this field.
When it comes to how much you can earn as a database administrator, it definitely pays to keep going with your education. There will be more money, and more opportunity for advancement, if you have your Bachelor's degree in database administration.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary range for database administrators is $48,000 to $82,000. But, the majority of these are open only to those with a bachelor's degree or higher. So, if you can spare the time and expense of two more years to get a higher degree, do it.
Another piece of good news is that IT jobs are red-hot. Because basically every business uses computers, they also need people to help them manage their systems. According to the BLS, database administration is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the country, and it looks to keep up this pace through 2016.
So, everything is pointing to "go" here. If you love computers and enjoy working with people, then getting a database administration associate degree might be the perfect choice for you.
