Re: Replies so far

Actually some of your statements weren't too far off. I work with many DBAs as a sales support engineer for database tools and I do ask them how they got in their position. The number one way of becoming a DBA is to volunteer for the position in a shop (or get volunteered) when the previous DBA quits for more pay. One of my co-workers was first a mainframe operator before becoming a DB2 DBA. When he volunteered for the position, he had already built up a reputation for getting the job done with no complaints, assisted the DBA on many occasions, and explained it would be VERY expensive to hire an _experienced_ DBA. A little showmanship and political savvy doesn't hurt either.

I worked for years as a Vax, AS/400, and Unix system administrator before taking on this job supporting Oracle systems--with no prior Oracle experience!!!! What my employer was looking for is someone who could handle very stressful situations. I was able to tell stories of putting together TCP/IP networks with baling wire and duct tape. My training consisted of sitting at a Sun Sparc-20 workstation with the Oracle CD-ROM and a shelf of manuals. I went to the Oracle DBA course a few weeks later in Chicago. My college degree? Electrical engineering in '86. I had a hard time finding a job in that with a 2.3 out of 4.0 grade point. It all works out. Received on Sun Aug 20 1995 - 00:00:00 CEST