Re: DBA Skill tree
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:57:32 -0400
Message-ID: <9256898f0904030957r7fae4348h6bb6a5560954bed_at_mail.gmail.com>
End of the day, you can't predict how good a DBA (or any other field for that matter) based on a list of criteria. For any qualification or measurement you will easily be able to find either a great/bad DBA.
For example, i've met DBAs with 10 years experience that were great and some that weren't. I've met OCP that were great and others that were disasters. I've worked with people fresh out of college how after 1 year I could trust and rely on. You can't build any kind of list and say if a person has these things it means that they know their stuff.
Maybe it can help you determine who you want to interview but nothing beats sitting down with someone to gauge their experience. I interviewed a DBA with 15 years experience and on paper had everything we were looking for... but after the interview I told my manager that I did not think he was a suitable candidate. I was told that his references checked out, everyone said he was great so we would give him a try anyways. It was a disaster and he was released within 2 weeks.
Charles sent a followup as I was typing this, so back to his original thought, how to stay competent. I find the best way is to toss your self into challenging positions. When I get to the point that i'm not challenged anymore I look for more opportunities. This could be by expanding your role, projects or even leaving the company. If your stagnating its time to move on, your not doing yourself any favors by staying.
-- http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-lReceived on Fri Apr 03 2009 - 11:57:32 CDT