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Re: Which database should I learn next (currently oracle dba)

From: Alvin Sylvain <alvin_at_c-square.no.junk>
Date: 1997/02/07
Message-ID: <32FC1425.2E12@c-square.no.junk>#1/1

Mark Rosenbaum wrote:
>
> In article <32F8F340.22C7_at_c-square.no.junk>,
> Alvin Sylvain <jademare_at_c-square.no.junk> wrote:
> >Joel R. Kallman wrote:
> >

 [...]
> >> I think you're putting too much stock into a specific skill with a
> >> particular database. I, personally, look for a team-player, ability
> >> to learn and adapt, problem-solving skills, positive attitude,
> >> efficiency, and responsiblity. Notice, I didn't mention experience
> >> with any particular database product once.
> >
> >I would say you're the exception rather than the rule.
> >
> >My experience as a frequent job-seeker is that they almost =NEVER=
> >ask you about your ability to learn and adapt, problem-solving
> >skills, etc. etc. What they ask is, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?
> >
> >In other words, for the more typical employer, it doesn't matter
> >if the job applicant is Einstein-Squared, what matters is whether
> >he already knows the desired job-specific functions: the database,
> >the OS, the language, etc.
> >

 [...]
>
> That is a very interesting point. I would not dispute the hiring
> part but my experience is that a senior person who is good a
> problem solving will solve a difficult problem in an area they have
> NO experience in faster than people experienced in the area who don't
> have the problem solving skills. Not that my experience is going to
> change who gets hired and for how much.
>
> Just my $0.02 worth

Don't sell yourself short! That was worth at least a dime! :-)

I agree with you 100% ... the problem is, you must FIRST get IN THE DOOR! And, in order to get IN THE DOOR, you have to show specific skills and expertise and experience that they happen to currently be looking for. Which means, if they're looking for an Oracle DBA, you pretty much have to already be an Oracle DBA. A smart Sybase DBA isn't going to cut it.

There are, of course, exceptions. Like they say, the race isn't always to the swift, but that's the way to bet!

It pays to discover something you enjoy, that you can be good at, but it's lot better if it just so happens to also be in strong demand.

But ... I think we've tangented far enough ... :-) Received on Fri Feb 07 1997 - 00:00:00 CST

Original text of this message

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