Our everyday activities are now closely noted on Databases. Data on much of everyones' routine activities is saved on one form of Database or another, although we're unaware of much of i.t.. The whole economy is based on Databases of information. Banks, share values and property-records are all massive databases of records, & even though much of the information is usually saved in the form of physical documentation, it is also filed (or indexed) digitally for ease of access. Every time you shop with a charge card or a supermarket loyalty-card, you add another piece of information to that database. Your purchasing styles are registered so that shops can provide you with loyalty vouchers for products you are probably interested in - for example, if you've recently been purchasing cat food, you may be given a special premium for pet insurance. A big Database is operated by the DVLA - it has each and every auto number plate which can then display the details of the manufacturer & precise model of the vehicle in question. The Capital's Congestion Charging system, & the Govt's road-tax avoidance scheme also key off this information, by working with the street cameras that we spot everywhere.

The classic profile of a Database Administrator or Developer is someone who is amazingly exact, is well-disciplined and methodical, & can work effectively either alone or as part of a smaller team. The job often requires reporting to senior management, & as such self-assured communication-skills will be necessary. Security is a growing matter as an increasing amount of highly sensitive data is captured & kept - making database jobs extremely responsible. A high degree of personal ethic and professional reliability will undoubtedly be called for - and in a number of organisations you will require some type of security-clearance. Many people who have previously worked in business 'processing' or accountancy often succeed in database management. A lot of DBA's attain successful promotions to higher-office because they intrinsically build their business-management skill sets.

If it's the Developer aspect of databases which appeals to you, the 'MCITP' DB-Developer from Microsoft is for you. Without fully extending in to Database programming, this covers more to do with the original rationale & set-up of Databases. You should take a look at the programming area of this website if your interest lies in that side of databases. All in all, there is a far greater emphasis from both students and employers on the Administration of Databases. Even so, if the developer path is for you, it could be a good idea to include the 'MCITP' DB Developer into a wider programming training path. During the next few years, you'll also find extra MCTS qualification in SQL Server '08 more and more relevant.

Around the world, the leading database systems are 'Oracle' and Microsoft 'SQL' Server. The older system 'Oracle' can still be found in many large enterprises. However, the majority of business Databases & more or less all databases on-line now utilise the SQL-Server system. Because MS own the SQL-Server technology, it has been conveniently incorporated into all their programming languages & platforms, making it an easy choice for those planning to obtain certification & professional recognition. The 'MCITP' ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional') & 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) packages have superceded the previous 'MCDBA' (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certifications. Though SQL-Server 2008 is starting to develop some foothold, the existing widespread commercial edition of MS SQL-Server is 2005, & it is this version that features in the MCITP DBA certification. Similar to other Microsoft certifications, several MCTS modules precede the complete 'MCITP' qualification.

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