Re: Questions for Oracle Developers

[Quoted] [Quoted] My OCP DBA certificate was well worth the (fully deductible) $600 I put [Quoted] into it. Don't pay for classes, but you will know more about Oracle than the next guy after you pass those tests. And hiring supervisors [Quoted] worth their salt know it! I got the DBA certificate even though i don't [Quoted] like the DBA duties, because that subject matter is not well understood [Quoted] by the average developer (or DBA for that matter). Those that know the [Quoted] knowledge level required to get the oracle certificates are impressed by [Quoted] them. Conversely, nearly all of the people that do not like the OCP certifications are not certified. Why is that do you suppose?? I am [Quoted] working through the Java path now.

About Mr. Morgans other points i agree completely - especially the time [Quoted] donation point.

When I started - in the early 80's - companies would take anyone who could spell MIS. One company asked one question before hiring me over [Quoted] the phone, "Do you know what a view is?".

Now, (especially given the recession, e-commerce in the toilet, etc.) [Quoted] you need the degree, and the certifications because you young scamps just keep coming into the job market, giving hiring supervisors at least [Quoted] some choice. Another problem for someone trying to break into the trade [Quoted] now is the ability of companies to send some (or all) of their well/completely designed and documented development to India. You need [Quoted] to be able to compete with me, Mr. Morgan, and a bunch of Indian companies for the job you are after.

Regarding pay, perm employees (all things being equal) get 20-40% less [Quoted] than consultants. If you want to go the consulting route, watch for snakes. In particular - ask what your services are to be billed at, if [Quoted] you are to get less than 35% of the billed rate or the guy won't tell [Quoted] you, he is taking advantage of your trusting nature. I've been billed [Quoted] at $100 per hour and got paid $55,000 per year (not very long of course), you do the math. The people I am with now - Intellimark-IT - [Quoted] are straight shooters, the best. (At least in the Kansas City office).

Louis

[Quoted] damorgan wrote:

> Employers want experience. I wouldn't invest a dollar on an OCP. Here's
> what I would suggest. Install Oracle on a machine at your house. Create a
> project for yourself ... such as managing your household finances. Find
> someone to help you when you find rough spots and code it from scratch.
>
> Then destroy what you did ... and code it again from scratch. Be sure that
> you use tables, views, sequences, functions, triggers, and procedures in
> packages. Perhaps even a materialized view or two.
>
> Then ... find a local non-profit or charity where you can donate time.
> They look just as good on your resume as someone that paid you money.
> Within a year, if you work at it, you will be doing what you want to do.
> And as you probably have some ethical standards ... law is likely not for
> you. <g> Don't be to quick to give up your dreams.
>
> Daniel Morgan
>
>
>
> Samantha wrote:
>
>

[Quoted] >>Hey everyone...I wasn't sure where to post this so I am trying my
>>question here. I graduated in the fall of 2000 with an MIS degree.
>>Unlike many of the other graduates I knew what kind of job that I
>>wanted. I wanted to be an Oracle Developer. Problem is finding a job.
>>Since graduation I had a job as an Oracle DBA for a really small
>>company that collapsed and now I'm an Informix DBA for a company that
>>saw something in me. Problem is I'm not enjoying the DBA side of
>>databases. So I've come here for your advice. I'm considering either a
>>career move to law or to finish up my OCP and try to find a job as an
>>Oracle Developer. Will having an OCP prove to employers that I know my
>>stuff. It seems like they want experience but I can't get experience
>>if I don't have a job doing that. The only experience I have are
>>projects that I worked on for classes. As you all can tell I'm very
>>confused. I really need to know what you all love and hate about being
>>an Oracle Developer. Also I know salaries vary depending on experience
>>and location but what kind of salaries have you noticed going for an
>>Oracle Developer position. Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>>-Samantha
>>