Re: Questions for Oracle Developers

I disagree. Hiring managers, at least out here on the West Coast don't know it. In fact they don't even know it exists.

Daniel Morgan

No Name wrote:

> My OCP DBA certificate was well worth the (fully deductible) $600 I put
> into it. Don't pay for classes, but you will know more about Oracle
> than the next guy after you pass those tests. And hiring supervisors
> worth their salt know it! I got the DBA certificate even though i don't
> like the DBA duties, because that subject matter is not well understood
> by the average developer (or DBA for that matter). Those that know the
> knowledge level required to get the oracle certificates are impressed by
> them. Conversely, nearly all of the people that do not like the OCP
> certifications are not certified. Why is that do you suppose?? I am
> working through the Java path now.
>
> About Mr. Morgans other points i agree completely - especially the time
> donation point.
>
> When I started - in the early 80's - companies would take anyone who
> could spell MIS. One company asked one question before hiring me over
> the phone, "Do you know what a view is?".
>
> Now, (especially given the recession, e-commerce in the toilet, etc.)
> you need the degree, and the certifications because you young scamps
> just keep coming into the job market, giving hiring supervisors at least
> some choice. Another problem for someone trying to break into the trade
> now is the ability of companies to send some (or all) of their
> well/completely designed and documented development to India. You need
> to be able to compete with me, Mr. Morgan, and a bunch of Indian
> companies for the job you are after.
>
> Regarding pay, perm employees (all things being equal) get 20-40% less
> than consultants. If you want to go the consulting route, watch for
> snakes. In particular - ask what your services are to be billed at, if
> you are to get less than 35% of the billed rate or the guy won't tell
> you, he is taking advantage of your trusting nature. I've been billed
> at $100 per hour and got paid $55,000 per year (not very long of
> course), you do the math. The people I am with now - Intellimark-IT -
> are straight shooters, the best. (At least in the Kansas City office).
>
> Louis
>
> damorgan wrote:
>
> > Employers want experience. I wouldn't invest a dollar on an OCP. Here's
> > what I would suggest. Install Oracle on a machine at your house. Create a
> > project for yourself ... such as managing your household finances. Find
> > someone to help you when you find rough spots and code it from scratch.
> >
> > Then destroy what you did ... and code it again from scratch. Be sure that
> > you use tables, views, sequences, functions, triggers, and procedures in
> > packages. Perhaps even a materialized view or two.
> >
> > Then ... find a local non-profit or charity where you can donate time.
> > They look just as good on your resume as someone that paid you money.
> > Within a year, if you work at it, you will be doing what you want to do.
> > And as you probably have some ethical standards ... law is likely not for
> > you. <g> Don't be to quick to give up your dreams.
> >
> > Daniel Morgan
> >
> >
> >
> > Samantha wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Hey everyone...I wasn't sure where to post this so I am trying my
> >>question here. I graduated in the fall of 2000 with an MIS degree.
> >>Unlike many of the other graduates I knew what kind of job that I
> >>wanted. I wanted to be an Oracle Developer. Problem is finding a job.
> >>Since graduation I had a job as an Oracle DBA for a really small
> >>company that collapsed and now I'm an Informix DBA for a company that
> >>saw something in me. Problem is I'm not enjoying the DBA side of
> >>databases. So I've come here for your advice. I'm considering either a
> >>career move to law or to finish up my OCP and try to find a job as an
> >>Oracle Developer. Will having an OCP prove to employers that I know my
> >>stuff. It seems like they want experience but I can't get experience
> >>if I don't have a job doing that. The only experience I have are
> >>projects that I worked on for classes. As you all can tell I'm very
> >>confused. I really need to know what you all love and hate about being
> >>an Oracle Developer. Also I know salaries vary depending on experience
> >>and location but what kind of salaries have you noticed going for an
> >>Oracle Developer position. Any help would be appreciated.
> >>
> >>-Samantha
> >>
> >
Received on Tue Feb 12 2002 - 15:00:57 CST