Re: About to start classses for Oracle DBA.... Will I be able to get a job

richard.hawks_at_gmail.com wrote:
> First allow me to say thanks to all who have posted a response thus
> far..... this is the information that I am definitely seeking for......
> So let me see if I am understanding......
> Let's say I was to follow thru on the Oracle DBA track but also add in
> some additional UNIX classes to learn UNIX inside and out and then also
> add in the classes to get proficient in PL/SQL. And all of this being
> coupled with me having one of my PCs at home running a linux OS that I
> can do additional experimentation on. then I should at least be able to
> get my foot in the door at between 45k to 55k. I am in Dallas, Texas by
> the way...... is this a pretty good assumption......
> I have to take some pre requisites this first semester so I want to be
> able to put together a path that will be able to yield me a job in the
> market upon completion........ or as one of the prior posts stated find
> a job as a student assistant at the school and work for free.....
> Wonderful tip by the way.......
>
> thanks again to all again
> am I thinking in the right direction????
> or should I go for the SQL server stuff first then go into the Oracle
> DBA track with the extras that I mentioned......
>

On the nose.

And Joel's suggestion of the developer spot first, is a great one. Most times, getting in as an Oracle Developer is a whole lot easier then DBA right out of the chute. And, having the DBA knowledge will make the development process much easier, as you'll have a leg up on how the database works.

Dallas eh? Not sure about the salary:COL ratio there. At one time they paid damn well for that area. But that was 6 years ago. Go through the  want ads in the paper, and through Monster to see what the average salary is for your area. That will help you decide.

If you can pull it off, Oracle and UNIX, then by all means, do so. Never focus on only one talent or job skill, always have 3 or 4 that you can do, and do well. And keep up with it. You are entering an area of work that is very much like being a medical doctor. If you don't stay current, and keep up to date on the changes in the market, then the market will leave you behind.

BTW, VB .NET I and II would also be very useful in your studies. There is a good market out there for .NET people that can code against Oracle and SqlServer. The classes are easy, and so is the language. If you can get them at a good price, most community colleges carry the two courses. They may be named something else, but you'll know it when you see it.

Good luck.

-- 
Dr. Karl E. Taylor

Unix Systems Engineer / Oracle DBA