Perceptions of Database Competencies Needed for Entry-Level Employment

Journal 1

February 8, 2005

Echternacht, Lonnie & Wedmaier, Cheryl. (2000) Business Professionals' and Business Educators' Perceptions of Database Competencies Needed for Entry-Level Employment. NABTE, 34-39.

How much education does a student need to receive a good job? The business world changes so much that a person is not able to keep up with the education that goes along. In the article it gives you the idea that a person can graduate from college and then in five years, what they learned is not used any more. Business changes so much it is hard to tell what the future will do. Researches think that students need to learn different skills to help them out in the work place. The purpose of the study was to find out what database competencies are important for a job in the business field. Also, how do the experts rate the competencies that are giving to them?

The researchers sent out questionnaires to teachers who use or teach database classes. The questionnaires were made up from different resources that had extensive study on the background. The researchers sent them out by e-mail to all chosen participants. The participants were asked if they would mind being part of the study and if so e-mail them back. The study would consist of three parts all three parts would consist of participants communicating with the researchers.

The first part the participants had to rate the competencies of database material. The researchers sent out 64 competencies and the participants could delete and add any to the list. Part two consisted of revaluating their pervious work. The participants could make changes if they felt it was appropriate. The researchers sent out information again to have participants complete three rounds of study.

The study showed the competencies that the participants thought were important. The researchers took the range from all of the participants. It scored them from one to six. Six is the highest and one is low and the participants did not spend much time teaching it or thought it needs to be taught. Save the database file, enter records into databases, and review, edit, and delete database files were some that scored a six.

The conclusion showed that people with interest in the business field should be aware of data base software and database management systems. The students should