Re: Becoming ORACLE DBA

"IOANNIS MANOLOUDIS" <im33_at_kent.ac.uk> wrote in message news:da600l$77b$1_at_oheron.kent.ac.uk...
> IANAL_VISTA wrote:
>
>> IOANNIS MANOLOUDIS <im33_at_kent.ac.uk> wrote in
>> news:da4ob9$jts$1_at_oheron.kent.ac.uk:
>>
>>> Hello
>>> I am currently finishing my MSc course in computer science.
>>
>> What's your grade point average?
>
> Well I passed all modules in the exams. I got 83% in Java programming and
> 72% in Unix. In the UK grades over 70% are rated first class. I am working
> on my dissertation with CLOUDSCAPE. If the grade of my dissertation is
> above 70% then I'll be awarded MSc with distinction.
>
>> With which languages are you a proficient programmer?
>
> I also know good JAVA, C and SQL. With some luck, that is if the
> industrial
> coordinator can arrange it, I will sit in the exams for JAVA core
> certification.
>
>> Are you qualified to be a backup Systems Administrator? Which OS?
>
> I have been using Linux ever since 1998. But I don't have any formal
> qualifications.
>
>>
>>> I am also looking for a job.
>> So are many unemployed Oracle DBAs.
>> Why should an employer hire you instead of one of them?
>>
>
> Well here in the UK IT jobs (development, administration, communications)
> involve team working. In the team there are people from many national and
> educational backgrounds and with varying levels of experience. There are
> jobs for graduate trainees who have just finished their degrees.
>
>
>>> I am very interested in becoming ORACLE DBA.
>>
>> Why are you "very interested in becoming ORACLE DBA",
>
> I am under the impression that DBA's are some of the best paid and trained
> IT professionals. Oracle is the market leader in Databases. Every company
> has a database system and most likely it will be running Oracle. If I
> change employer it will be easier for me to find a new one.
>
>> when you don't know the answers to the following questions?
>
> But if I knew or if I thought I knew I wouldn't have posted this would I?
> I know of cases where people who don't have yet finished their degrees get
> the chance to work with contract for blue chip companies in Databases.
>
> Two months ago I attended the assessment centre of HSBC. Next to me there
> was a 20 year old guy who was a 2nd year undergraduate in physics. He had
> a
> chat with a Sr DBA and he was told that many IT professionals don't have
> IT
> degrees and that his department employees' background ranges from contract
> trainees to world leading computer scientists with PhD's.
> While we were leaving with him in the train I chatted a bit with him. He
> doesn't know anything about computers, backups, administration, operating
> systems...yet a blue chip company had invested hundreds to call him twice
> and assess him.
>
>
>
>> Will the answers to the questions below influence your choice?
>>
> YES.
>
>>> Can some ORACLE DBAs please talk to me about their job?
>>
>>> Does it pay well?
>>
>> Quantify well.
>>
>>> What sort of skills does it require?
>>
>> It requires knowing how to manage Oracle DBs & related s/w.
>
> What about general skills? Does it involve good communication skills?
> Interpersonal skills? Team leader skills? Client communication skills?
> Do DBAs need to be geeks or anoraks?
>
>
>>> Does it involve working for very long hours?
>>
>> At times it does.
>> Many/most Oracle DBs are required to be available 24x7.
>> Guess when DB upgrades are allowed to occur.
>>
>>
>>> Is it a technical or a consultancy job?
>>
>>> Does it have fun?
>> What is "it"?
>> Define "fun"?
>>
> "it".equals(workingAsaDBA);
> "fun".equals(jobSatisfaction);
>
>> Pretend/assume you are hired as an Oracle DBA.
>> On first day on the job a user calls & reports
>> that their database application is running SLOW.
>> Where do you start looking for the source of the slowdown?
>
> From some volunteering experience in helpdesk posts, I know I am supposed
> to
> carefully listen the client and how he is experiencing the problem.
> As a DBA I should check some log files to compare current performance with
> previous. I start looking in the client side interface with the server.
>
> Ioannis

to put it bluntly, you wont get a job as a DBA right away becuase you dont have the skills

get a graduate job somewhere which will train you and move into the job as you get experience Received on Sat Jul 02 2005 - 07:11:31 CDT