Developer/Software engineer OR DBA (Database Admin)???

[crazi]

Which would you guys choose? I can't decide.

Right now I got a student job as a newbie DBA, but I have no idea whether I want to be a DBA or dev in the future?

which is more fun?

[gnunn]

Only you can decide what is more fun, personally I prefer development but being a DBA doesn't mean you won't be doing development as well. While people tend to think of DBAs as just database administrators, often DBAs are involved in development projects in terms of designing the database and writing any stored procedures, triggers, etc required by the application.

[nikkers20]

Since you are a student i say go for developer. DBA is slower paced, more relaxed job. Good for people with kids ;)

[squagles]

Which would you guys choose? I can't decide.

Right now I got a student job as a newbie DBA, but I have no idea whether I want to be a DBA or dev in the future?

which is more fun?

I'd go DBA. Software dev can be boom and bust where DBA can be pretty steady. Stay with a large firm long enough and you could get into a golden handcuffs kind of situation where it would be too much of a pain to replace you.

[GonePostal]

Do what you enjoy most and you are best at. That will serve you much better in the long term then some arbitrary evaluation of which one is "better".

[nwilliams]

Your post reminded me of a thread that was running about a year ago, tracked it down:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/opinon-dba-vs-programmer-1021536/

[crazi]

Thanks guys, I guess i'll choose development. DBA is kinda boring, and nothing i learned translates to the real world... (Aka I don't know SQL server).

[Biff88]

Which would you guys choose? I can't decide.
Right now I got a student job as a newbie DBA, but I have no idea whether I want to be a DBA or dev in the future?
which is more fun?

You would really have to answer the question yourself and you should be in good position to do so as you are a newbie DBA. Do you like the work?
Have you ever done any programming and did you like it?
The bottom line for IT is that it is very dynamic and you can change role more easily than other professions and you can eventually do both roles.

As a developer there is more creativity involved and you are heavily involved in the business of your company whereas DBA work can be more routine. Most developers do development for about 5 years and then go on to higher level work such as Solutions Architect, Project Management, Systems Analyst, etc whereas DBA's generally stay in that role for the long term.

In terms of pure numbers for being employed, the ratio of Developers to DBA's can be as high as 25 to 1 in some organizations, so there are usually a lot more jobs available at any one point for Developers. On the other hand, my DBA friends have never been out of work(neither have any developers that I know of either).

Having said all that, I have done many of the application development type roles, but actually wouldn't mind being a DBA if the opportunity presents itself.

[crazi]

You would really have to answer the question yourself and you should be in good position to do so as you are a newbie DBA. Do you like the work?
Have you ever done any programming and did you like it?
The bottom line for IT is that it is very dynamic and you can change role more easily than other professions and you can eventually do both roles.

As a developer there is more creativity involved and you are heavily involved in the business of your company whereas DBA work can be more routine. Most developers do development for about 5 years and then go on to higher level work such as Solutions Architect, Project Management, Systems Analyst, etc whereas DBA's generally stay in that role for the long term.

In terms of pure numbers for being employed, the ratio of Developers to DBA's can be as high as 25 to 1 in some organizations, so there are usually a lot more jobs available at any one point for Developers. On the other hand, my DBA friends have never been out of work(neither have any developers that I know of either).

Having said all that, I have done many of the application development type roles, but actually wouldn't mind being a DBA if the opportunity presents itself.

For me the major problem is, i seriously know nothing. School is barely useful for my role.

I actually got a DBA role by accident, as I did not get interviewed as a DBA. I'm somehow managing, but i seriously need help for everything. I learned some SIS yesterday, and today I learned some MS SQL server. I hope I at least get the hang of it by next week, since I don't want to look dumb for the rest of the 4 months lol.

[siriuskao]

For me the major problem is, i seriously know nothing. School is barely useful for my role.

I actually got a DBA role by accident, as I did not get interviewed as a DBA. I'm somehow managing, but i seriously need help for everything. I learned some SIS yesterday, and today I learned some MS SQL server. I hope I at least get the hang of it by next week, since I don't want to look dumb for the rest of the 4 months lol.

But IT is all about figure things out - development is no different. However if you want to change, it's a good time to do it now. Once you settle into a niche, it's harder to change.