Re: How do I become an Oracle DBA?

Because Oracle now has try b4 you buy and you can acquire Oracle 8.x for only $4.95 (see www.oracle.com), one way of learning Oracle is to purchase the software and put it on your NT, Solaris x86 or Linux machine at home. Get the Oracle for Beginners and Oracle DBA books from Osborne and begin simulating all the scenarios in the books.

While this will give you some hands on experience, don't expect to become really good at it until you have real-world experience. However, I know 2 people who got jobs here in AZ as Jr. Oracle DBAs making > $60 K by doing the above - they had no actual experience. The demand here in AZ for Oracle DBAs is very very high. When looking for a position, keep SAP in mind as shops with SAP on Oracle are usually willing to train in SAP Basis admin once you have a good grasp of Oracle.

I have been an Oracle DBA since 94 and am also working in a SAP Basis position here in AZ and am almost at 6 figures.

DB
Phx, AZ

Jerry Gitomer wrote:

> Hi Robert,
>
> My experience has been the same as Diane's -- they don't care or ask
> about certification, only experience.
>
> In your position I would go out and talk to some recruiters who
> specialize in computer related jobs. I would try to avoid the ones who
> "mass mail" resumes and focus on the smaller recruiters who work one on one.
> Another thing you might do is to start contacting the CIOs, Senior DBAs,
> Software Development Managers at local concerns and get their advice. Doing
> this there is a very good chance that you may walk in looking for advice and
> walk out with a job offer.
>
> regards
>
> Jerry
>
> Diane wrote in message ...
> >In article <Qpsz2.5221$po.2141_at_c01read02.service.talkway.com>, Robert
> >Shanks <robnanshanks_at_sprynet.com> writes
> >>I'm an engineer in the (collapsing) mining industry looking for a
> >>carreer change. I need to find a career that will get me back to
> >>$60K/year fast. Oracle DBA seems to fit the bill. I'm quite
> >>proficient in MS Access but have no Oracle experience.
> >>
> >>Question 1: is there a big difference in complexity of say Oracle 8 and
> >>Access?
> >Yes
> >> - is it reasonable for me to think I can get up to speed on
> >>Oracle 8 without using it day in day out.
> >No
> >>
> >>Question 2: Are the Oracle CD ROM tutorials really effective assuming
> >>no other Oracle exposure - can I pass the certification exams using
> >>only the CD ROMs?
> >>
> >Don't know
> >>Question 3: Are the CD ROM tutorials availale used (parting with that
> >>$6K would kill me right now) - is that even legal, are they licenced
> >>only to the original purchaser?
> >>
> >>Question 4: If the answers to Q3 are favorable, where would I find a
> >>seller?
> >>
> >>Question 5: Assuming I'm pretty smart and work a couple of hours a day
> >>on the tutorials, how long till I'm a "certified Oracle proffesional"?
> >>
> >>Question 6: Assuming I bust ass, pass the exams and get certification,
> >>will someone give me a job with no actual DBA experience and no coding
> >>/ programming knowledge.
> >>
> >No-one has asked me for certification - merely for experience.
> >>Any advice from someone who has some experience in the above would be
> >>much appreciated.
> >>
> >>Regards
> >>
> >>Robert Shanks
> >>--
> >>Posted via Talkway - http://www.talkway.com
> >>Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.
> >>
> >
> >--
> >Diane
Received on Tue Feb 23 1999 - 21:03:17 CST