Data stewardship involves creating, maintaining, and auditing databases. Professionals typically need a degree and certifications. It involves critical thinking, planning for growth, and data integrity. Data stewards control databases, plan upgrades, and determine access levels. A degree in computer science or related field is required, and certifications can be helpful. Junior roles lead to more responsibilities in large companies, while smaller companies may have a more autonomous position.
Data stewardship is the development, maintenance and auditing of databases. This area of computing covers a wide variety of topics. Data professionals typically need at least a four-year college degree to work, and many have special certifications in particular types of databases and security techniques. Employment in this industry began to grow rapidly in the early 21st century.
One aspect of data management involves creating databases. This requires critical thinking skills and knowledge of programming languages. The job requires thinking about what kind of data will be stored in the database and how it will be used. The data steward should plan ahead for growth and access needs. He may be able to use a commercial product to create the database or he may have to code his own to meet the needs of a given situation.
Once a database is created and users start populating it, maintenance is an issue. Data stewardship specialists use cleaning tools to prevent the accumulation of extraneous data. They are also alert for signs of corruption so they can maintain data integrity. Security can be an integral part of this process, to control who is allowed to use the database and what they can do within it. A secretary may be able to enter data but not mass delete entries or create new fields in the database, for example.
Data stewards also control databases. When a database needs to be moved or upgraded, this IT professional plans and executes the task. May also be involved in developing new security systems and patches to address security holes such as vulnerable operating systems on database user computers. The data steward can revoke or add access and determine what level of access is appropriate so personnel can get the information they need without accessing sensitive materials.
For a career in data management, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, data management, or a related field is usually required. It can also help to pursue an independent technical certification through a professional organization that focuses on specific types of databases and programming languages. These qualifications can be useful when looking for work. In large companies, administrators start out in junior roles and gradually take on more responsibilities, while smaller companies may use a single data administrator and can provide a more autonomous position for a recent graduate.
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