Re: Getting that first Oracel DBA job.

On Nov 17, 9:24 am, Jimmy <jimmynesb..._at_gmail.com> wrote:

> I finished writing an article for new DBA's that are trying to get
> that first Oracle DBA job. I remember how tough it was so I thought I
> would share what I learned. You can read the article by going to:
>
> http://www.tinyurl.com/firstoraclejob
>
> Let me know what you think of it, I would love to hear what other
> DBA's and even new DBA's got from reading it.

The mindset:
" I became frustrated at the amount of money that I was pulling in, so
I went online to check the current salary averages for different IT occupations. I was amazed to see DBA's at the top of many of the lists I found. From that point on, I made up my mind that I was going to become an Oracle DBA."

The interview:
"So, how much experience do you have?"

"None, but I have note cards! All of the answers at my fingertips!"

"I see. So if thirteen users complain to you about how long it takes
to see query results you'll take what course of action?"

"Umm, that's not one of my questions. Could you ask one of these on
this stack of cards, please? Those I can answer!"

"Let's try again, shall we? Users are complaining they can't connect
to the database because of some ambiguous 'archiver error'. What is the cause, and what is the solution?"

"Well, that's because the archiver is stuck and needs to be oiled."

"Really? Silly me, and I thought it was because the archive
destination filesystem filled to capacity because the scheduled job managing that area failed. You learn something new every day..."

"Oh, yessir, I agree!"

"Let's try another one. An ORA-04031 error indicates ... what?"

"The temporary tablespace is allocated to capacity and needs to be
dropped and recreated. TEMP should NEVER be allocated 100% because that's a problem."

"You don't say ..."

"I do say, it's a rampant problem among inexperienced DBAs to think
the TEMP tablespace is fine at 100% allocation. All of those allocated extents that can't be reused ... it's a tragedy, really."

"Well, I think we have enough information. Thank you for gracing us
with your presence."

"It was my pleasure. When do I start?"

Ahh, the power of money. I was so hoping there was a much loftier goal for your becoming an Oracle DBA. Silly me.

David Fitzjarrell Received on Mon Nov 17 2008 - 13:32:31 CST