Re: Becoming an Oracle DBA?

Karen A McGaskey wrote:
<snip>
> Server). My 1st question is w/o a college degree if I pass all the exams and
> become a certified Oracle DBA would I be able to obtain an entry-level
> position?

Let me ask you, would you trust the repair of your car to someone who read the books and passed some multiple choice exams, but has never worked on a car?

> If not please let me know if I should not consider this profession
> w/o any experience?

Since you have never worked in the field, you have no idea what you are getting into. Some people love it, others hate it. You have to be a certain type of person to be a DBA. Are you well organized? Can you do several tasks at once? Do you mind being interrupted and having to go back and figure out where you left off? Do you mind working overtime and weekends. Junior DBAs usually get the routine maintenance jobs that more often than not are done in the off hours. Find a job on a help desk. That will give you an idea about what types of jobs are in IS departments. Frequently companies promote from the help desk into other positions. When they do, they pay for the training.

> I don't want to waste my time and money if that is in
> fact what it would be.

Software changes before ORacle was hot Sybase was hot. Learn how things work and then you can go with the flow. Spend you money on a Associate degree in Computer Science.
> I would also like to know if I do pursue this, should
> I take my exams after completing the training and exercises for that exam or
> should I take all the exams at once? Another thing I'd like to know is if
> and where could I find an Oracle DBA mentor?

What are you looking for in a mentor? I don't know of many DBAs who have time to spend with people who do not work for them.

> I also heard that if one wants
> a life they shouldn't consider this as a career choice. But I also know that
> if you want the money that DBAs are paid you have to make sacrifices
> somewhere and that is one of them i think.

You are correct here. Just remember that the money comes with experience, but the sacrifices usually start early in your career.

Liz Received on Wed Jan 03 2001 - 14:56:11 CST