What are the character traits of outstanding SQL Server Database Administrators (DBA) ? You know what I’m talking about. There are DBA’s out there that go way above and beyond merely getting the job done. Managing huge workloads with ease and delivering them with class. But how do they do it? I’m certain you have seen and [...]
Posts under ‘Professional Development’
Seven Reasons You Should Attend SQLBits 7
SQLBits is Europe’s Largest SQL Server Event That’s right, just take a moment to let that point hit home. If you are only able to attend one SQL Server event in Europe this year, this is the one you are going to want to choose! Maybe the PASS Summit 2010 is not a practical option [...]
Jump Start Your SQL Server Learning Today (T-SQL Tuesday)
One of the great things about working with SQL Server is the opportunity to be involved in our fantastic SQL Server community. This months T-SQL Tuesday topic asks what we as data professionals do to learn our subject. (You can follow the conversation on Twitter using the #TSQL2sDay tag.) SQL Server is a big topic [...]
How to Provide Great Feedback
As a DBA you will encounter processes, code and design decisions within your environment that require change for the better. The most common driver for such change is performance improvement. Oftentimes the changes you wish to drive will require design and implementation by someone other than yourself. Proposing changes(improvements) to an authors existing code/process/design can [...]
The Politics of SQL Server Performance
Like most DBA’s I’m sure you often find yourself delivering information to the business concerning the performance of your SQL Server platform but have you ever stopped to consider the wider implications of your actions? As a SQL Server Database Administrator you are responsible for the overall health and well being of your SQL Server [...]
With Great Advice Comes Great Responsibility
I know that you have seen it yourself too. That forum or blog post that contains “advice” that is daft, stupid or worst of all just plain wrong. The SQL Server community is an awesome phenomena. Through collaboration and collective contribution across a wide variety of channels, the community empowers it’s members to become better [...]
DBA Survival Skills – Think Defensively
No matter how much of a Super Hero DBA you consider yourself to be, I can guarantee you that there that there will come a time when you have to deal with either a disaster scenario or some form of mistake. Interestingly however, it is what happens next that separates the Pro’s from everyone else. Things can [...]
Top 10 Junior DBA Interview Tips
The start of a new year is a time for self reflection and along with it perhaps a desire to do something new with your career. Maybe you are considering becoming a Junior Database Administrator (DBA)? Acquiring your very first role as a Junior DBA is no easy feat. Just browse any one of the [...]
Blog your way to becoming a better DBA
One of the most rewarding aspects of Blogging is that the content you share and publish has the potential to help others in your community but have you also considered that Blogging can actually make you a better DBA? You see the act of blogging itself provides a number of subtle benefits for your professional [...]
SQL Server Essentials – Part 1: The Database Administrator’s Primary Responsibility
You’re busy coding away at your workstation when all of a sudden your manager walks over to you all excited and begins discussing with you, the details of this great new application your company has just aquired. It turns out that he wants you to look after and administer this newly aquired application platform, which [...]
