Database Architecture or Database Administration?

Hi, sorry if this is a post in an incorrect group. I've been a DBA for about 5 years now -- production, 24X7, etc.

I have the opportunity to go to work for a smaller company and learn the database design and architecture aspects of the database profession.

I enjoy database administration and feel I have good solid mid level skills.

However, I also am attracted to the architecture/design aspect of the database profession as well.
One thing I do like doing is building and designing the physical database.
I would still be doing that in this in this job, but I would lose the pager
and once our servers are built they will be shipped to a server farm for 24X7 support.

My question is, would adding the whole database design and architecture skills to my knowledge help me in
my career? I like the challenge of what I do now, and of course there are always things to learn
However, I also see exciting and interesting things to learn from the architecture/design side too.
I just don't want to make a bad career decision if I leave the production support DBA role for awhile, yet having the design and architecture skills, I would think, only add to my career. (plus I would lose the pager for awhile :-)).

Any opinions or advice on this are appreciated!

TIA Received on Fri Sep 15 2000 - 21:58:32 CDT