Comments on: July Question: Tell us your story of how you happened to become a DBA. http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/ Brad M. McGehee, Director of DBA Education, Red Gate Software Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:24:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bradmcgehee http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-873 bradmcgehee Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:29:17 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-873 Thanks for all the great feedback this month. It's very interesting to see the various backgrounds that DBAs come from. The randomly selected winner of this month's contest is Bill Wehnert. If you haven't done so yet, be sure to read all of the above stories, as they are very interesting. Thanks for all the great feedback this month. It’s very interesting to see the various backgrounds that DBAs come from.

The randomly selected winner of this month’s contest is Bill Wehnert.

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to read all of the above stories, as they are very interesting.

]]> By: Wayne C http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-822 Wayne C Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:25:13 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-822 I've been working with databases since late 1980s. Okay, now we call them tables, but then they were databases. Clipper was king and I was a programmer. I worked as a programmer through generations of languages, and every large program always had a database back-end. Heck, even today any corporate programmer needs to know what a database is and how to read from and write to it. Of course, if all you have is programmers, then those cool databases servers start looking less like gardens and more like weedy jungles. Well, we needed a gardener, and since I was the closest they had, I got the job. What I didn't know fills a whole shelf of books. I know, I'm looking at them. I've been the 'corporate' DBA here for about two years and recently got my title officially changed. My group's database servers get backed up, restores are an email away, and no one has to worry about why those pesky log files won't stop growing (simple recovery or log backups, pick one, it's that simple). There have been some drawbacks, at least from the programmers' point of view. I won't let them develop in production and 'sa' no longer stand for 'service account'. A few other little inconveniences along those lines, but they seem to appreciate not having to worry about their apps' databases anymore. Now if I could just get the other departments in the company to dedicate someone to take better care of their databases... I’ve been working with databases since late 1980s. Okay, now we call them tables, but then they were databases. Clipper was king and I was a programmer. I worked as a programmer through generations of languages, and every large program always had a database back-end. Heck, even today any corporate programmer needs to know what a database is and how to read from and write to it. Of course, if all you have is programmers, then those cool databases servers start looking less like gardens and more like weedy jungles. Well, we needed a gardener, and since I was the closest they had, I got the job. What I didn’t know fills a whole shelf of books. I know, I’m looking at them.

I’ve been the ‘corporate’ DBA here for about two years and recently got my title officially changed. My group’s database servers get backed up, restores are an email away, and no one has to worry about why those pesky log files won’t stop growing (simple recovery or log backups, pick one, it’s that simple). There have been some drawbacks, at least from the programmers’ point of view. I won’t let them develop in production and ‘sa’ no longer stand for ‘service account’. A few other little inconveniences along those lines, but they seem to appreciate not having to worry about their apps’ databases anymore. Now if I could just get the other departments in the company to dedicate someone to take better care of their databases…

]]> By: Vinicio S Aizpurua http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-820 Vinicio S Aizpurua Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:33:35 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-820 By accident, I cannot describe it otherwise. Specifically speaking of Microsoft SQL Server, I was hired 7 years ago to as a contractor to perform a data conversion from COBOL files to SQL 2000. I had formal education in which Informix was my database to learn, but not limited to this. I also developed in Oracle 6/7 in during 1993-1995. Then I was getting involved little by little in administrative tasks such backing up the data base, restore, starting the application in a remote site when we contingency plan required it, etc. At the same time I was programming in VB6 and creating and maintenance Stored Procedures. Lately the major opportunity knocked at my door. I had the opportunity to migrate the SQL 2000 to a SQL 2008 R2. I planned the hardware, memory, hard drives, the software licenses, the whole nine yards. I setup my database distributing the load on different arrays of disk, more space to work and best of all, a SQL Server and windows server versions up to date (SQL 2008 R2 OS/SQL). All of this begun with a preparation of about a year, in which with reading all articles, attending to seminars, webinars, asking to other DBA and Developers about their experiences and most importantly, with dedication and a positive attitude towards the challenges, was the key ingredient. I keep learning and learning and testing how to improve performance, and making my role as DBA a solid part of my working skills. By accident, I cannot describe it otherwise. Specifically speaking of Microsoft SQL Server, I was hired 7 years ago to as a contractor to perform a data conversion from COBOL files to SQL 2000. I had formal education in which Informix was my database to learn, but not limited to this. I also developed in Oracle 6/7 in during 1993-1995. Then I was getting involved little by little in administrative tasks such backing up the data base, restore, starting the application in a remote site when we contingency plan required it, etc. At the same time I was programming in VB6 and creating and maintenance Stored Procedures. Lately the major opportunity knocked at my door. I had the opportunity to migrate the SQL 2000 to a SQL 2008 R2. I planned the hardware, memory, hard drives, the software licenses, the whole nine yards. I setup my database distributing the load on different arrays of disk, more space to work and best of all, a SQL Server and windows server versions up to date (SQL 2008 R2 OS/SQL). All of this begun with a preparation of about a year, in which with reading all articles, attending to seminars, webinars, asking to other DBA and Developers about their experiences and most importantly, with dedication and a positive attitude towards the challenges, was the key ingredient. I keep learning and learning and testing how to improve performance, and making my role as DBA a solid part of my working skills.

]]> By: Bill Preachuk http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-819 Bill Preachuk Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:30:21 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-819 In college I took Computer Science and loved it (interestingly enough - I wanted to be a journalist too. Go figure). I spent years as a programmer, but really gravitated towards database development. I had a great professor at U that taught databases well - in undergrad and graduate courses. Kudos to Dr. Barker. I was also blessed with opportunities to do relational (DB2) and hierarchical (IMS) database work at my first job. Plus I was surrounded by wonderful, open, helpful people with tremendous technical skill. Over time I was again blessed with great opportunities - Sybase in its' infancy, then SQL Server, then Oracle, then Kimball Data Warehousing. Over time, I found myself doing all of the prep work (Scripting, DB compares (Go Red-Gate!), testing etc.) for the DBAs, and it was a natural progression. So the DBA world was what I ended up gravitiating to. Looking back I am thankful to have worked in Development and Data Warehouse projects - it has allowed me to be more useful as a DBA, and as a mentor. The sheer amount of SQL Server work out there meant that I have been doing only that for the last 10 or so years. Thanks Brad for giving back & being such an excellent mentor. You're a great example to follow. In college I took Computer Science and loved it (interestingly enough – I wanted to be a journalist too. Go figure).

I spent years as a programmer, but really gravitated towards database development. I had a great professor at U that taught databases well – in undergrad and graduate courses. Kudos to Dr. Barker. I was also blessed with opportunities to do relational (DB2) and hierarchical (IMS) database work at my first job. Plus I was surrounded by wonderful, open, helpful people with tremendous technical skill.

Over time I was again blessed with great opportunities – Sybase in its’ infancy, then SQL Server, then Oracle, then Kimball Data Warehousing. Over time, I found myself doing all of the prep work (Scripting, DB compares (Go Red-Gate!), testing etc.) for the DBAs, and it was a natural progression. So the DBA world was what I ended up gravitiating to.

Looking back I am thankful to have worked in Development and Data Warehouse projects – it has allowed me to be more useful as a DBA, and as a mentor.

The sheer amount of SQL Server work out there meant that I have been doing only that for the last 10 or so years.

Thanks Brad for giving back & being such an excellent mentor. You’re a great example to follow.

]]> By: Brian McMeans http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-818 Brian McMeans Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:18:41 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-818 I had been working as an HRIS Admin for about 6 months. I was responsible for report writing and maintaining an antiquated Oracle database. I knew enough to be dangerous. In the Spring of 2007, we began the hunt for a new HR/Payroll system. My research showed that most everything out ther was running on SQL 2000 or 2005. I had messed around with 2000 a little and knew how to attach databases and set up ODBC connections, but had never delved into writing queries, scripts, or doing any kind of administration. Around that time, one of the developers in our group was given a certificate to take the SQL 2005 Administration test for free. She had no desire to take it so she offered it to anyone in IT. I thought 'What the heck, it's a free test.' So I nabbed the certificate, picked up the first Microsoft Press Book and began my studying. During this time, we were heavy into our HR system migration. I was learning SQL from the book and from implementation as we went. After months of putting it off, I took my test in December of 2007. I wasn't terribly confident, but I did pass. From then on, I began working in SSMS every day trying to bolster my skills. In June of 2008, it was those database skills that landed me a job in Texas working on the same HRIS system for a different company. I continued my growth in the product and spent time with my boss who has spent the better part of 10 years working with various SQL products. In December 2009, he assigned to me an enormous project connecting to over a dozen different instances across our organization and building a data warehouse. I told him that the only way I'd work on this is if the DBA title was appended to my existing one. And voila, my career as a full fledged DBA is born. Currently, I'm working heavily in SSIS continuing to modify the big project and streamline actions. I plan to continue working on the SQL 2008 certification path with a concentration in SSIS and BI. I had been working as an HRIS Admin for about 6 months. I was responsible for report writing and maintaining an antiquated Oracle database. I knew enough to be dangerous. In the Spring of 2007, we began the hunt for a new HR/Payroll system. My research showed that most everything out ther was running on SQL 2000 or 2005. I had messed around with 2000 a little and knew how to attach databases and set up ODBC connections, but had never delved into writing queries, scripts, or doing any kind of administration. Around that time, one of the developers in our group was given a certificate to take the SQL 2005 Administration test for free. She had no desire to take it so she offered it to anyone in IT. I thought ‘What the heck, it’s a free test.’ So I nabbed the certificate, picked up the first Microsoft Press Book and began my studying.

During this time, we were heavy into our HR system migration. I was learning SQL from the book and from implementation as we went. After months of putting it off, I took my test in December of 2007. I wasn’t terribly confident, but I did pass. From then on, I began working in SSMS every day trying to bolster my skills.

In June of 2008, it was those database skills that landed me a job in Texas working on the same HRIS system for a different company. I continued my growth in the product and spent time with my boss who has spent the better part of 10 years working with various SQL products. In December 2009, he assigned to me an enormous project connecting to over a dozen different instances across our organization and building a data warehouse. I told him that the only way I’d work on this is if the DBA title was appended to my existing one. And voila, my career as a full fledged DBA is born.

Currently, I’m working heavily in SSIS continuing to modify the big project and streamline actions. I plan to continue working on the SQL 2008 certification path with a concentration in SSIS and BI.

]]> By: Dave Schutz http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-817 Dave Schutz Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:20:57 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-817 After retiring from 20 years in the Navy working on electronics I was hired by my company to teach computer skills, Microsoft Office, Windows, etc. Three years later a help desk position opened and my contract to teach computers ended so I made the switch to IT. A day later the company fired the network admin so I started to learn quickly. One of the main responsibilities is Microsoft Dynamics which runs on SQL. I started with SQL 2000 and now have upgraded all 3 of our SQL servers to SQL 2008. I'm still working as network admin/DBA as well as part help desk, etc. During this time I joined PASS and am a board member of CBusPASS Columbus, Ohio. We hosted our first SQL Saturday last month and are already looking forward to next's years. After retiring from 20 years in the Navy working on electronics I was hired by my company to teach computer skills, Microsoft Office, Windows, etc. Three years later a help desk position opened and my contract to teach computers ended so I made the switch to IT. A day later the company fired the network admin so I started to learn quickly. One of the main responsibilities is Microsoft Dynamics which runs on SQL. I started with SQL 2000 and now have upgraded all 3 of our SQL servers to SQL 2008.
I’m still working as network admin/DBA as well as part help desk, etc.
During this time I joined PASS and am a board member of CBusPASS Columbus, Ohio. We hosted our first SQL Saturday last month and are already looking forward to next’s years.

]]> By: Greg E http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-816 Greg E Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:13:54 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-816 After working on the shop floor welding ofr about 15 years, they asked me if I wanted to take a temporary postition (3-6 months) helping setup the new ERP system. A little over a year later, when we were going live, they gave me 2 days of report writing training. We went live with no reports - management thought that with a new system, it would take them awhile anyways to figure out what they really needed. After 5 or 6 years of writing reports for Operations, I moved over to the Data Warehousing dept, where I've been for about 10 years. So the 'temporary' position ended up being a complete career change. Greg E After working on the shop floor welding ofr about 15 years, they asked me if I wanted to take a temporary postition (3-6 months) helping setup the new ERP system. A little over a year later, when we were going live, they gave me 2 days of report writing training. We went live with no reports – management thought that with a new system, it would take them awhile anyways to figure out what they really needed. After 5 or 6 years of writing reports for Operations, I moved over to the Data Warehousing dept, where I’ve been for about 10 years. So the ‘temporary’ position ended up being a complete career change.
Greg E

]]> By: Jerry Sommerville http://www.bradmcgehee.com/2010/07/july-question-tell-us-your-story-of-how-you-happened-to-become-a-dba/#comment-815 Jerry Sommerville Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:48:36 +0000 http://www.bradmcgehee.com/?p=1645#comment-815 I have been at this IT thing for a long, long time. I started out as a student in the early 70's as I worked in a administrative job for the State of Tennessee. Gradually, I worked into a job where I was using some of the earliest mini-computers being deployed by business and my interest grew. I took more courses in IT and eventually became an instructor teaching people how to be come programmers. I taught Introduction to Data Processing (you know, bits, bytes, base 2 math, double-dabble, flow-charts), Cobol, Fortran and my favorite, BASIC, all on a Kayro CPM based personal computer (they were brand new on he market and white hot commodities). Later, after the technical school I worked for was sold to the competition, I went to work as a programmer (for real this time) and started writing software for the marketplace. This software used an old BASIC routine that maintained a BTREE index on a flat file. I was hooked! I wanted to know more.... So I played with BTrieve, Foxbase, dBase, Clarion, Paradox (which had it's own 4-GL language which was really cool) and finally Progress DB and Progress 4GL. The latter, Progress, is where I landed for nearly 30 years writing sotware, administering databases and project managing implementatioins of QAD's MFG/PRO ERP systems (over 50 implementations). Then I left the consulting business and took a job as a manager implementing MFG/PRO for a Columbus, Ohio medical company. When I earned enough stock options and the company sold, I cashed out and went to work as a UNIX Administrator. But my attachment to databases never really waned until I found myself being offered the DBA position, vacating the UNIX Administrator job. I accepted and took over the Progress, Oracle and SQL Server databases for the whole company and that is where I've been ever since. I enjoy the challenges and the constant learning that goes with the technology. I especially enjoy teaching and mentoring my fellow DBA who has been working with me for the last 2 years. He has really come into his own as a fabulously talented BDA and I am really proud of him. Now he teaches me! That is my story. I hope others can learn from me; never stop and keep your curious nature about you. It will serve you well. Jerry Sommerville I have been at this IT thing for a long, long time. I started out as a student in the early 70′s as I worked in a administrative job for the State of Tennessee. Gradually, I worked into a job where I was using some of the earliest mini-computers being deployed by business and my interest grew. I took more courses in IT and eventually became an instructor teaching people how to be come programmers. I taught Introduction to Data Processing (you know, bits, bytes, base 2 math, double-dabble, flow-charts), Cobol, Fortran and my favorite, BASIC, all on a Kayro CPM based personal computer (they were brand new on he market and white hot commodities). Later, after the technical school I worked for was sold to the competition, I went to work as a programmer (for real this time) and started writing software for the marketplace. This software used an old BASIC routine that maintained a BTREE index on a flat file. I was hooked! I wanted to know more…. So I played with BTrieve, Foxbase, dBase, Clarion, Paradox (which had it’s own 4-GL language which was really cool) and finally Progress DB and Progress 4GL. The latter, Progress, is where I landed for nearly 30 years writing sotware, administering databases and project managing implementatioins of QAD’s MFG/PRO ERP systems (over 50 implementations). Then I left the consulting business and took a job as a manager implementing MFG/PRO for a Columbus, Ohio medical company. When I earned enough stock options and the company sold, I cashed out and went to work as a UNIX Administrator. But my attachment to databases never really waned until I found myself being offered the DBA position, vacating the UNIX Administrator job. I accepted and took over the Progress, Oracle and SQL Server databases for the whole company and that is where I’ve been ever since. I enjoy the challenges and the constant learning that goes with the technology. I especially enjoy teaching and mentoring my fellow DBA who has been working with me for the last 2 years. He has really come into his own as a fabulously talented BDA and I am really proud of him. Now he teaches me! That is my story. I hope others can learn from me; never stop and keep your curious nature about you. It will serve you well.

Jerry Sommerville

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