Database Specialists

There are a number of ways to explore your interest in this field while you are still in high school. One good way is to read books. Many books about computer databases are available at bookstores, libraries, and online. One book to check out is Database Systems: Design, Implementation, & Management, by Carlos Coronel and Steven Morris.

You can also join your high school's computer club to work on computer projects and meet others interested in the field. Learn everything you can about computers by working with them regularly. Online sources can be particularly good for keeping up to date with new developments and learning from people who are actively involved in this work. Learn to use a commercial database program, either by teaching yourself or taking a class in it.

You may also want to ask your school counselor or a computer teacher to arrange for a database specialist to speak to your class at school or to arrange for a field trip to a company to see database specialists at work. Another option is to ask your school administrators about databases used by the school and try to interview any database specialists working in or for the school system. Similar attempts could be made with charities in your area that make use of computer databases for membership and client records as well as mailing lists.

Look for direct-experience opportunities, such as part-time work, summer internships, and even summer camps that specialize in computers. Visit https://cty.jhu.edu/programs/on-campus/courses for a list of summer exploration programs that are offered by colleges and universities. If you can't find such a position, you can still put your skills to work by offering to set up small databases, such as address books, recipe databases, or DVD libraries for friends or family members.