If you weren't a DBA what would you be doing?

  • Man I love working with Databases and I honestly wouldn't be anything else...except for maybe an NFL quarterback or the next Hugh Hefner or something crazy.

    But the other day I thought about if I wasn't a DBA or if SQL didn't exist on this planet...what would I be?

    Probably:

    1. Network Admin

    2. Chef

    3. Programmer (I use to love VB.net)

    4. UFC fighter LOL

    What would you guys be doing if you werent DBAs or if databases didn't exist?

  • Hadn't thought of it but....

    Mud Farming comes to mind 🙂

    Seriously...

    Maybe an Engineer

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • SQL Iron Chef (9/2/2009)


    What would you guys be doing if you werent DBAs or if databases didn't exist?

    In this economy? Probably looking for a job. 😉

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.
    "Change is inevitable... change for the better is not".

    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)
    Intro to Tally Tables and Functions

  • supposedly the economy is getting better. the media has been saying that but i haven't seen any improvements myself :unsure:

  • Well, I'm not a DBA anyway but...

    Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (9/3/2009)


    Well, I'm not a DBA anyway but...

    Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.

    Gail, from what I've seen of your skills here at SSC, I'd have to say that your friend is absolutely right.

    Wayne
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
    Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes


    If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!
    Links:
    For better assistance in answering your questions
    Performance Problems
    Common date/time routines
    Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

  • exotic male dancer??? mppffhh, yeah right. I'd be broke and probably kicked off more stages/platforms/poles than I care to even think about. But hey, it's a dream, right? - or nightmare - depending on your view!!!

    -- You can't be late until you show up.

  • I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.

    John Rowan

    ======================================================
    ======================================================
    Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url] - by Jeff Moden

  • I'd probably still be doing sales, marketing, and/or management, since those are the roles that got me into being a DBA in the first place.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • WayneS (9/3/2009)


    GilaMonster (9/3/2009)


    Probably as a web or front-end developer. I still enjoy coding. I was half-planning some years back on going back to dev. A friend that I was working with back then advised me to stick with databases, saying that web dev would be a waste of my time and skills.

    Gail, from what I've seen of your skills here at SSC, I'd have to say that your friend is absolutely right.

    That was over 5 years ago. At the time I knew enough about SQL to be dangerous. Could write simple-moderately complex queries, knew a little about optimisation, nothing else.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Developer/Programmer of some sort. Maybe be in IT Management.

  • John Rowan (9/3/2009)


    I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.

    Heh... same as a DBA. 😛

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.
    "Change is inevitable... change for the better is not".

    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)
    Intro to Tally Tables and Functions

  • Jeff Moden (9/3/2009)


    John Rowan (9/3/2009)


    I'd be a full time parent, no questions asked.

    Heh... same as a DBA. 😛

    Yes, I have often thought of that myself. I think it covers all age groups as well - and the worst is the high school age playing high school politics 😉

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • Lynn Pettis (9/3/2009)


    Maybe be in IT Management.

    Odd that you should say that. I quit being the "Director of IT" for one company to become an "AppDev Manager" for another because of politics and "other things". After a couple of years, I quit the manager job for the same reasons except it was worse.

    The really odd thing is that I'm making more as a DBA/Tuner/Developer than I did in any of those previous jobs and I like the job a whole lot more.

    If there were no such thing as databases, database servers, or DBA positions, I guess I'd be trying to invent them right now... mostly because of the job satisfaction I have with working the data and the people that need the data.

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.
    "Change is inevitable... change for the better is not".

    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)
    Intro to Tally Tables and Functions

  • Probably still progarmming in VB....Not as much fun as being a DBA though!

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