How does one person make the transition from being a web developer to a specialized database admin? I’m not necessarily trying to replace web development as my only career path but for now I would like to expand my options. I’ve been in the development game for around 5 years, so I’m entry-to-mid level on my skills.
I mainly know MySQL and a little bit of Access (though mostly using the design view) but that’s about it. For an entry level DBA, what is required? Are certifications a must? I still don’t know all the more advanced syntax of MySQL and am open to learning other systems such as Oracle, MS SQL etc. In my current job I can’t really apply my own queries as I can only use stored procedures already prepared by the DBA people. So there’s no means to get hands on with that.