Data Warehouse Specialist

How To Become A Data Warehouse Specialist

From healthcare to entertainment, data plays a crucial role in virtually every industry. More data is produced every day, and businesses need data warehouse specialists who can help manage this vast amount of information. Earning a degree in management information systems enables you to pursue this career path, and you can accomplish this at Fairfax University of America. Located in Virginia near Washington, D.C., our programs are designed to give students across the country flexibility when seeking higher education.

What Is a Data Warehouse Specialist?

Since information is not tangible, data warehouses are not necessarily physical locations, although some data is stored in hardware. Instead, they are systems that manage data according to what a business needs.

Data warehouse specialists are in charge of developing, implementing, and configuring organization-wide systems to contain vital information. They also investigate ways to make IT management processes more efficient. The duties expected of a data warehouse specialist will depend on their specific position. For instance, working for a single company may look significantly different from working under a contract for multiple corporate clients. However, general responsibilities for these professionals include:

  • Building computer programs and software applications to perform data storage and IT management tasks
  • Crafting models of various data warehouse procedures, such as extraction, loading, sourcing, and transformation
  • Assessing warehouse data for accuracy, organization, and quality
  • Evaluating existing data warehousing methods to detect areas for improvement
  • Adjusting data warehousing practices to achieve a new goal
  • Recording data movement between warehouses and source systems
  • Collaborating with other departments within a business, such as sales and marketing, to gather data

Data Warehouse vs. Data Lake

Data warehouses are not the only technique for storing information—multiple options are available for accomplishing this task. If you have some experience with management information systems, you may have heard the term data lake. Like a data warehouse, a data lake is a vessel for housing big data, but the two are otherwise different.

Data lakes contain raw data, which is information that does not yet have a clear purpose. Since raw data is difficult to understand, data scientists must interpret it before business professionals can use it for strategic planning. On the other hand, the information in data warehouses is refined, and includes only the contents a business needs to pursue specific objectives. It is more organized and easier to digest than raw data.

While data lakes are less structured, their lack of restrictions makes modifying information quick and simple. Data warehouses are arranged better, but a more rigid structure makes it relatively expensive and challenging to alter data.

Career Advancement for Data Warehouse Specialists

A lifelong career as a data warehouse specialist can be fulfilling and financially rewarding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals working in data processing, hosting, and similar services earn up to $108,520 annually. However, the job also leads to more advanced positions for those wishing to attain more responsibilities within a company or industry, including:

  • Data warehouse architect
  • Senior programmer analyst
  • Senior software engineer
  • Lead program manager
  • Senior project manager
  • IT director
  • Software development director
  • Information systems director
  • Chief technology officer (CTO)

Why Study at Fairfax University of America?

While your experience with data-related work may expand your job opportunities, you likely will need higher education to obtain the skills necessary to enter this field. At Fairfax University of America, our School of Business offers bachelor’s and master’s management information systems degree programs, which can lead to a career as a data warehouse specialist.

Our BS in Management Information Systems teaches students about the relationship between individuals, organizations, and the technology used to augment operations and resources. The program gives students insight into a wide range of topics, from organizational behavior and business optimization to entrepreneurship and ethics.

Expanding on the bachelor’s degree, the Master of Science in Management Information Systems program gives students advanced capabilities in critical thinking and research to devise effective solutions to complex challenges with business management and technology. They learn to reconcile an organization’s management approach with changes in technology, personnel, and information while maintaining a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Both programs also provide students with soft skills, such as communication and leadership, enabling them to enact positive change at the businesses they serve throughout their careers.

Enroll at Fairfax University of America

At Fairfax University of America in Virginia, our goal is to empower students by nurturing a learning community that promotes human development and encourages students to be transformative leaders in today’s multi-dimensional and global society. You can request information to learn more about our management information systems degrees or other programs, or complete an application today.