Re: DBA Job Description, anyone?

In article: <3rl3v3$4rg_at_ixnews3.ix.netcom.com> marta1_at_ix.netcom.com (Marta Lord ) writes:
# OTHER REQUIREMENTS
# This position requires 5 - 7 years of database experience, three with
# relational databases and transaction processing systems, plus a college
# degree or the equivalent. The ability to express complex technical
# concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing is critical for this
# position. Also required is the ability to work well with people from
# many different disciplines with varying degrees of technical
# experience.

Maybe it's just a personal gripe, but I don't really hold with specifying a particular level of education with respect to a job. Some DBA positions I've seen advertised insist on a degree but don't mind if you have a BA in Medieaval English Literature. Some insist on a Computer Science BSc, but a graduate with those skills certainly would not necessarily know about database structure. Ten years ago the sort of courses taught where I went to college were more about logic theory and writing compilers.

IMO, if you have two candidates of the same age who have worked in databases through their working lives the one _without_ the degree is likely to have three years more experience.

Don't get me wrong - of course you can have a degree and be a great job candidate, but I think that employers nowadays put too much emphasis on pieces of paper rather than the skills that the candidate has to offer.

PS - I'm _not_ writing from bitter experience. I'm studying for a degree part-time, for my own interest (astrophysics).

Regards

Peter

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