Student wanting some advice

Hi,

I am currently in my 3rd year at university. I am studying B.Comm in the Management Accounting and Computer Science major. Since the start of last year I have been looking around into the different areas of IT I am able to specialize in. I am actually one of those people who's lifelong dream is to know everything about everything. I have made peace with the fact that that won't be happening, so I would like to focus on one topic. I thought about programming in C or something like that, but in the end found SQL and made my way to Oracle and MS SQL Server.

So anyway, I've made my decision about focusing on Oracle for a hobby and for a future career. I have bought a few books and am working through them. I am planning on writing the first OCP exam before the end of the month and want to be certified by the end of next year when I get my degree.

What I'd like to know from you fellars, without putting me down with all that "YOU NEED REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE" stuff... Is it worth it for me to go through the trouble of getting certified(remember I'll be doing this in my free time, when NOT studying for my degree)? What books and study guides would you recommend? Lastly, is this at all possible to do? Will I be able to do the exams? If you don't think it's worth it, tell me why and if you don't think it's possible, tell me what I have to do to make it possible.

I'm not out to make a quick buck, I'm a hard worker and a team player and I happen to feel passionate about Oracle. So like I said, don't put me down, but rather try and point me in the right direction if you have a minute to spare.

I appreciate you just reading this!

Regards,
Andrew Pieterse

Stellenbosch,
SOUTH AFRICA. Received on Sun Aug 04 2002 - 05:13:43 CDT