Database Career Paper

In an every evolving world of technology and information, there is an inexhaustible need for those who can manage, manipulate and organize the associated data. This need lead to the birth of the database career field. The field has grown considerably and consists of multiple types of positions and skills. In the United States this field is thriving and there are no signs of slowing down. Other developed countries are also showing the same signs. The United Kingdom, much like America, is in need of those who can design manage and manipulate the databases used to store a company’s crucial data. The skills needed to do this are available worldwide and although there are good candidates for database positions domestically the desire to save money

It is this valuable data that justifies the investment and costs of hiring and maintaining a good database staff able to bring value to an organization. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, predicted that database administrators would experience more than thirty percent growth during the 2010-2020 decade (How to become a database manager, n.d.). Database administrators are but one example of a career in the database field. These are the employees who ensure databases are run and operated efficiently and make modification when required. This person’s primary responsibility is to ensure data is protected and minimize integrity loss (Occupational Handbook: Database Administrators, 2014). Another position in the database field is a database architect. This person is responsible for designing and implementing databases based on the needs of the employer. An in depth knowledge of programming and database platforms are skills that would be highly useful to a database architect. This field also shows a bright outlook for growth and is a new emerging occupation (O-Net,

First, the US does not have a shortage of qualified candidates to fill database positions. The main focus for many US companies it cost saving. In contract, UK companies are interested in cost saving but also have a harder time finding enough qualified candidates to fill their positions. The market for database careers is expanding in both countries however the means by which this expansion is being handled is different. The US still hires many domestic employees and the field is growing rapidly. The UK hires domestically however since this can be a challenge it is automatically more enticing to work with another UK company that can setup outsourcing. The UK market did not appear to adjust to the database industry as rapidly as the US however it is well on its way. In some ways outsourcing has been good for the US and UK economies due to the cost savings which have helped some companies survive and grow (Cullen & Wilcocks, 2003) which eventually leads to more