Re: Stupid question: how can I get a DBA job?

Al,

   Both Mark and Daniel make good points. The typical company wants someone with a Phd, 37 years of experience on every platform, operating system, and database tool, willing to work 30 to 40 hours per day for $11,500 USD per annum. They will also typically settle for less. Spend some time in the job sites (Monster, HotJobs, ComputerJobs, etc, etc, etc).
*Carefully* read the job requirements and do some serious self evaluation. A key question to ask of yourself is "Would I hire me to do this job if my company depended on the results?". Answer honestly.

     The other responses both suggested moving into the DBA role from a developer role. I got there a little differently. I was a system manager/administrator and picked up the DBA hat because the office where the dba sat seemed to have a revolving door.

     There is a certain mind-set that goes with the dba role that more closely matches the sysadmin role than a developer role, IMHO. I've seen some developers become very good dbas. I've seen some that couldn't leave the myopia of development behind them. No offense to developers. You *need* myopia in that role. It represents *goodness*.  The dba role, like the sysadmin role, requires a view of the larger picture.
jc
Over 1,000 study questions at
http://www.networkessentials.com/certified/ocp .

"Al Bonnemaison" <oracle_guy_at_blurb.usa.net> wrote in message news:<iBSb8.3459$Ap6.142971_at_news2.east.cox.net>...
> Gurus,
> Thanks for reading this email. I am currently looking for a job in the
> Oracle-DBA arena. So far, here is what I have been doing:
>
> -Data modeling
> -Sizing and capacity planning
> -installation and upgrade
> -NT Batch
> -Logical backups and recovery (exp/imp)
> -Primary objects creation
> -alert logs monitoring
> -SQL and schema tuning (explain plan, dbms_utility.analyze_schema...)
> -PL/SQL programming (stored procs., packages, functions, triggers...)
> -Designed SOPs and SLAs
> -Users & developers support
> -Solaris, AIX and HP-UX as "advanced" (?) user creating CRON files, using
> VI, TOP, PS, GREP...
>
> ***Note: I have no experience with the following:
> -Unix batch scripting (any flavor)
> -Physical backup
> -Physical recovery (RMAN)
>
> I am not certified but am working on it. I can't realistically apply for a
> DBA position or can I? Any advice?
>
> Thanks for helping!
>
> Al.
Received on Wed Feb 20 2002 - 09:07:43 CST