DBA_Demand

"Weisman adds that DBAs usually come up through the ranks," at their place of employment, and must be thoroughly familiar with their company's products or services. He also points to a strong demand for senior Oracle DBAs who can manage groups of DBAs. Oracle DBA managers must be able to work with management and should have served as team leaders on database design projects, he noted.

While DBA jobs exist for those skilled in other software such as Sybase and Informix, Oracle's database software has emerged as, "the de facto standard," according to Wood. With annual revenues exceeding $7.5 billion, Redwood Shores, Calif.-based Oracle Corp. is currently the largest database vendor in the industry.

Database administrators trained in Oracle, the de facto Industry standard, now enjoy an unprecedented demand for their services. For individuals with skills in other software packages, the good news is that those skills are generally transferable to Oracle products. However, Tom Kyte, technologist for Oracle's Reston, Va. offices, points out that those interested in pursuing jobs as Oracle DBAs should realize "they are in a career path committed to a product," and must develop an "intimate knowledge of Oracle to be successful."