The Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) generate lots of data. Data must be stored, organized, and managed. Database administrators, or DBAs, work with database software to find ways to do this. They identify user needs, set up computer databases, and test systems. They ensure that systems perform as they should and add people to the system as needed. Database administrators often plan security measures. Data integrity, backup, and security are critical parts of the job. To be successful, DBAs must be familiar with mainstream database management systems (DBMS) such as Oracle, IBM DB2, and Microsoft SQL Server. Database administration work is complex, repetitive, time consuming, and requires significant training. Since databases hold valuable and mission-critical data, companies usually look for candidates with multiple years of experience. The role of the database administrator is very important in an organization. This article shares everything students need to know about careers for database administrators--wages, responsibilities, skills needed, career advancement possibilities, and more.