Data is the lifeblood of many thriving organizations today, and very few establishments can afford to ignore its value in the modern economy. However, collating, storing, and utilizing data requires systems and databases, which are challenging to get off the ground. That's where database engineers enter the fray.

Database engineers build and maintain the systems that help organizations better utilize their data, and they are the brains behind databases and data warehouses. If you are interested in joining the ranks of these professionals, here's how to get started.

Who Is a Database Engineer?

Simply put, a database engineer develops systems that execute operations on the data it receives. Database engineers build, install, and manage database systems for companies.

Furthermore, after developing a database system, database engineers conduct a series of tests to confirm the optimal performance of the database, ensuring that it meets client specifications and is easy to operate for end users. Additionally, they ensure the security of the database by developing security protocols that keep access to the database in check and prevent data breaches.

How to Become a Database Engineer

While there is no specifically predetermined path to becoming a database engineer, many professionals in the field follow a general path that reads as follows:

1. Get a Computer Science or Information Technology College Degree/Diploma

Database engineering is a discipline that requires extensive technical know-how and in-depth knowledge of the principles in the industry to execute projects successfully. Hence, to become a professional database engineer, you should start with a university education to build a solid foundation in the subject.

Obtain a university education in computer science, information technology systems, software engineering, or any related field. These will teach you the concepts used in the industry and help you understand the basics of data engineering. Furthermore, you will learn the best practices in the field as you undergo a degree program.

Moreover, obtaining a college degree increases your chances of getting senior positions in the industry. And to reach the peak of your career, you should not settle for a college degree. You can go further to obtain a master's degree or doctorate to increase your value and employability.

Individuals with a high level of education in the industry are usually more experienced and regularly consulted to solve challenging problems and situations. Conversely, they are greatly rewarded for their services.

2. Learn the Technical Skills and Undergo Training

Building database systems involves technical operations executed with the appropriate technical skills. Hence, to be regarded as a database engineer, you must have an arsenal of technical skills that you can acquire through training.

Database engineering involves a great deal of programming. Therefore, you must have a solid foundation in major programming languages like C++, Java, and Python. In addition to these major programming languages, database engineers must know how to use data warehousing solutions, analytical and modeling languages (like SQL and NoSQL), Data API, and ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools.

You should also be familiar with the best data analysis tools used in the profession. Furthermore, as a database engineer, understanding the application of machine learning algorithms and computer networking is an added advantage. You can obtain the needed technical skills by enrolling in a training, bootcamp, workshop, or course organized to teach the skills needed in the industry.

3. Build Valuable Soft Skills

Aside from technical skills, you must possess soft skills in demand to succeed in the field. As database engineers regularly work in teams, possessing these skills is crucial to the team's overall success.

For instance, you must possess excellent communication skills as a database engineer to express your ideas articulately and communicate effectively with other personnel. Furthermore, you should possess organizational skills and have an eye for detail.

In addition, database engineers often face complex tasks and take on a lot of big projects. Therefore, you must be solution-oriented, creative, and deadline-driven. Furthermore, database engineers regularly analyze and process large quantities of data. Hence, it helps you develop analytical thinking skills. These skills will come in handy as you venture into the field.

4. Obtain Professional Certifications

A great way to grow in your career as a database engineer is by obtaining professional certificates. Professional certification programs are great because they arm you with relevant skill sets and keep you up to speed with the industry's latest trends and best practices.

In addition, acquiring professional certificates increases your value on the labor market and gives you an edge when applying for opportunities in the industry. Hence, the more certificates you acquire, the better your chances. More so, obtaining a professional certificate gives you the license to operate in the field.

You can acquire professional certifications by completing a course, training, or examination organized by reputable institutions in the industry. Here are some great data engineer certifications to upgrade your skills. Additionally, here are some of the top database engineering certificates and certifications you should get.

• Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate - Coursera
• Microsoft Azure Data Engineering Associate (DP-203) Professional Certificate - Coursera
• Professional Cloud Database Engineer Certification - Google Cloud

5. Prepare a Resume and Apply for Roles

The next step to take on your journey to becoming a database engineer is to build a strong CV and apply for jobs. To build a mind-blowing resume, you should have a quality portfolio that houses the projects you have executed or contributed to.

The quality of your CV greatly influences your chances of getting a job. Therefore, ensure you include the tech skills you possess and your level of experience working with these skills. The top tech skills to add to your resume should include data analytical tools.

After writing a solid CV, you can now apply for jobs and other opportunities to gain experience and build your career as a database engineer. You can start by applying for junior roles to get the much-needed experience you need to take on higher roles.

Start a Career as a Database Engineer Today

Database engineering is among the top-rated tech jobs today because of its increasing importance in the daily operations of organizations. As long as companies generate and use data, they will always need the services of database engineers to develop systems that improve how they handle and utilize this data. Hence, a career as a database engineer is a good career choice.