Re: So difficult, so painfull

Joel Garry wrote:

> "Tariq" <taariqq_at_yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<b90mce027v6_at_enews2.newsguy.com>...
> > LOL
> >
> > Most of the time you hear people arguing about this technology being better,
> > or that being more prevalent, but it is hard to go through all the
> > information out there, and decide on what to pursue. Your frank advice is
> > much appreciated ... in both rooms ...
> >
> > I come from a background in Biology, and am trying to get a door into this
> > database field. I know bioinformatics is a good combination of Biology and
> > Databases, but that requires a higher degree in atleast one of the two
> > fields, and I only have a Bachelors in Biology. That is why I am exploring
> > the possibility of simply switching the field completely, if I have to ...
> > and it seems like a good idea to learn to program databases first ... then
> > worry about the administration aspects of it.
>
> I also came from a bio background, and 23 years ago went through some
> lame-o (well, it wasn't that bad compared to the others) technical
> program to get a programming job. I still haven't been able to crack
> bioinformatics yet (I've come close because of my strong db
> background, but no cigar, there's a lot of more-closely-qualified
> competition in the San Diego area).
>
> I think the modern equivalent foot-in-the-door toward DBA work would
> be as Daniel says, toward general business programming work maybe VB
> or the various report front-ends. Wish I knew a secret for
> bioinformatics.
>
> >
> > Much appreciated,
> > Tariq
> >
> > "Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exxesolutions.com> wrote in message
> > news:3EB3D3BC.1A8CF4E3_at_exxesolutions.com...
> > > Tariq wrote:
> > >
> > > > So I guess one has to get a job as PL/SQL developer first, before trying
> > for
> > > > a DBA position? Or before one is qualified as for a DBA position?
> > > >
> > > > Tariq
> > > >
> > > > "Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exxesolutions.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:3EB29BF3.B7CC6D7_at_exxesolutions.com...
> > > > > 5. Some may, but I would never hire a DBA that wasn't first a
> > developer
> > > > > for 5 years or more. BTW I like Forms.
> > >
> > > Look at it this way. You can't become a judge without first becoming a
> > > lawyer.You can't become a surgeon without first becoming a physician. And
> > you
> > > can't become President without first selling your soul to the highest
> > bidders.
> > >
> > > We're sort of like that only we don't have to wear a tie to work.
> > > --
> > > Daniel Morgan
> > > http://www.outreach.washington.edu/extinfo/certprog/oad/oad_crs.asp
> > > damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
> > > (replace 'x' with a 'u' to reply)
> > >
> > >
>
> jg
> --
> @home.com is bogus.
> Wrong results possible from correlated EXISTS subquery.

The secret is the foot-in-the-door approach. Find the company, get onto their IT team any way you can. Maneuver your way to where you want to be.

Also, never underestimate the power of volunteering. I have placed a number of students into biotech firms as unpaid interns (they worked their regular job 4x10 and spent one day a week volunteering) only to have them hired as FTE when an opening became available. Companies won't go outside and hire strangers when someone they know can do the job.

--
Daniel Morgan
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/extinfo/certprog/oad/oad_crs.asp
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
(replace 'x' with a 'u' to reply)