Re: Outrage that OCP exams are now unproctored - Comments?

"Howard J. Rogers" wrote:

> But, mentioning no-one specifically in particular, when a self-professed
> DBA, claiming two versions' certification, can't even understand the
> difference between redo log multiplexing and redo log mirroring and
> demonstrates as much in postings to this newsgroup; or can't even read the
> Oracle documentation properly where the difference (and the preference) is
> pointed out in words of not very many more than one syllable; well, what
> does that tell you about the value of the OCP?
>
> So much for a "rounded" education.
>
> Personally, if a person doesn't know how to do a block dump and interpret
> the results properly, s/he shouldn't call himself/herself a DBA. And if
> there's one thing you won't learn on any OCP-based Oracle training course,
> it's how to do a block dump.
>
> HJR
>
> "Bert Bear" <bertbear_at_NOSPAMbertbear.net> wrote in message
> news:PftQ9.6106$Zo5.2795633889_at_newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
> > Noons,
> >
> > At a minimum an OCP shows the person has enough interest in being a DBA to
> > get a rounded Oracle education.
> >
> > At this point in time, anyone (e.g. an used car salesman) can say hmmm,
> what
> > might pay better and start calling himself an Oracle DBA.
> >
> > When I see an used car salesman who passed these test it shows me, that
> this
> > used car salesman AT LEAST:
> >
> > 1) Read the manuals (or paid for an Oracle class or two) .vs. the other
> > used car salesman who didn't
> > 2) Retained enough information to pass the exams
> > 3) Show enough interest in being an Oracle to take the time to study and
> > pass the exams .vs. the other used car salesman who didn't.
> >
> > IMHO, an OCP is one of many things you must take into consideration when
> > choosing an employee. It is NOT a golden key to the Oracle DBA washroom.
> >
> > I can only speak from personal experience. After working with Oracle
> > products (DBA, OAS, Applications, etc.) for 5 years, I found getting the
> OCP
> > helped me round out my knowledge of the Oracle database. Studying for it
> > helped me cover areas my management never needed me to cover. As one
> person
> > said (in another thread), management normally upgrades for support (not
> the
> > new features, which they might never use). He went on to say many
> software
> > products still only use Oracle 7 features and nothing more. By having an
> > OCP, I know the person has at least an interest beyond saying "I have an
> > interest." He should also have a general, detailed understanding of the
> > Oracle database.
> >
> > Bertram Moshier
> > Oracle Certified Professional 8i and 9i DBA
> >
> > http://www.bmoshier.net/bertram
> >
> >
> > "Noons" <nsouto_at_optusnet.com.au.nospam> wrote in message
> > news:Xns92F623B3C3393mineminemine_at_210.49.20.254...
> > > danielroy10_at_hotmail.com (Daniel Roy) wrote in
> > > news:1b061893.0212300844.1d469f8e_at_posting.google.com and I quote:
> > >
> > > > non-certified DBAs who knew well their stuff. But trust me, if you saw
> > > > some of the DBAs I worked with (and had to rely on since they had the
> > > > DBA title besides their name and the system password, and I didn't),
> > > > you would agree with me.
> > >
> > > That is a very good point. Unfortunately, I don't think
> > > the OCP in its current form is gonna change that one bit.
> > > It's an attitude problem, not a qualification problem.
> > > It shows itself as a lack of qualifications, sure.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Cheers
> > > Nuno Souto
> > > nsouto_at_optusnet.com.au.nospam
> >
> >

It is worse than you think Howard.

Last year I inteviewed someone that is an employee of the City of Seattle. This person had been an Oracle DBA for three years. They failed the following question:

Write a SQL statement with an inner join on the whiteboard and then convert inner join to a left outer join.

They couldn't even write the inner join.

Did they get the job transfer within the city they wanted? No. Well until 3 months later when they tried again and were interviewed by other city employees.

Daniel Morgan Received on Wed Jan 01 2003 - 15:52:24 CST