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Thread: ? whether to take ocp

  1. #11
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    This is how I see it: OCP is a plus if you already have the knowledge ans experience.


  2. #12
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    I worked with a reporting tool on the mainframe for about 3 years, then as an Oracle Developer with some modelling responsibilities, and then as a Modeller full time for about 2 years.

    I enjoy modelling most of all. At a contract about 2 years ago, the DBA needed help with object sizing and some low level tasks. I never wanted to be a DBA, but after doing some low level duties, I found it to be a very interesting and challenging job.

    The skills and attitude required for Developer, Modeller, and DBA are a bit different. If you can get free education and training from your company and opportunities, I would go for it. You might be pleasantly surprised.

    Good luck.
    David Knight
    OCP DBA 8i, 9i, 10g

  3. #13
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    Dknight, how did you make the transition from a mainframe reporting tool to an oracle developer position w/o any exp? Everyones views are helpful thanks.

  4. #14
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    I completed C programming courses at night and later, a nine month program in database design. I got a job using both mainframe and Oracle which eventually became mostly Oracle. My employers have rarely trained me, but I have taken full advantage of tuition reimbursement through night classes. Free education is like free money and it is a great way to network.

    My full time DBA role was dumped on me. There was no one on the project with any relational db experience. I have found this to be common though.

    I would recommend OCP if you do not have access to a senior Oracle DBA. You need exposure to a wide range of issues. OCP can help identify issues, give you some exposure and some ideas. Experience will make you or break you.

    Good luck.



    David Knight
    OCP DBA 8i, 9i, 10g

  5. #15
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    Oct 2001
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    Thats great. The closest to that scenario I could get into is move towards a mainframe/oracle position in my company and work from there. Sure I would take advantage of tuition reinbursement. That is how I would go for the OCP. I will try to move towards an area that will expose me more to rdbms, I guess.

  6. #16
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    Oct 2001
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    Any one feel free to give their 2 cents, or more if they want.

  7. #17
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    Thumbs up

    I have an extensive background in software development going back to 1983 adapting my skills to new programming languages as they come along (i.e RPG, C, Basic, Powerhouse, Rally, VB, Java, etc) . I started at the lowest level using assembly language & C. At this time I was developing devices drivers, process controls interfaces, etc.

    In 1986 I started learning more about RDBMS and took courses in data & processing modeling. I then got a job with a consulting company and starting developing business applications using VAX BASIC and RDB. At that time I found the background in RDBMS was invaluable and was often pegged on projects as the data/technical architect.

    Since 1992 I have been developing software mainly in VB & Java using MS SQL Server as the database engine. I am a product specialist with MS SQL Server and have found the in-depth knowledge of the product has given me a leg up on other developers who lack such understanding.

    I am now making the switch to Oracle mainly because the city I live in is a Capital city and the database of choice has been mandated for all Ministries as Oracle. I plan on staying on the development side (i.e. Database design/application development) … I already know from what I have learnt from taking the first 3 OCP exams and in preparing for the P&T exam (which I am taking tomorrow) that without the OCP DBA certification I would be at a real disadvantage.

    If you decide to skip the OCP DBA, I would still recommend writing the A&A and P&T as these to will really open your eyes as to the correct way of developing applications for Oracle.

    Hope this helps,
    Gee

  8. #18
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    Aug 2001
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    Originally posted by kesone95
    Any one feel free to give their 2 cents, or more if they want.
    Hi kesone95, here's my 5 cents if you wanna take it...well, my situation is quite different compared to many peeps in here. I became an Oracle Developer/Junior DBA/monkey boy about 2 yrs ago right after I graduated from university. I didn't really have a strong interest in Oracle at that time. The reason I got that job was that one of the DBAs ran away for another job. Through my 2 yrs working w/ Oracle, I find Oracle is not rocket science , most of the stuffs are quite common sense, if one has previous experience in programming and some O/S knowlege then the learning curve is quite flat. However, I find that being a junior dba the work sometimes can be tedious (well you gotta do everything that senior DBAs don't wanna do...e.g data conversion, daily DBA monitoring tasks and all the monkey works....dammed those DBAs ). If you go for the money, then persuing DBA is the right path ( sometimes I think they're way overpaid alrite... i'm just joking..) .. statistically, DBA does make more $$ compared to other IT groups and definitely OCP is a plus. I think OCP, if it doesn't help you to get a raise, then it gives you a strong foundation to do your job well. Well, good luck and I hope that you find working w/ Oracle is rewarding.

  9. #19
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    If you go for the money, then persuing DBA is the right path ( sometimes I think they're way overpaid alrite... i'm just joking..) .. statistically, DBA does make more $$ compared to other IT groups and definitely OCP is a plus. I think OCP, if it doesn't help you to get a raise, then it gives you a strong foundation to do your job well. Well, good luck and I hope that you find working w/ Oracle is rewarding.
    True words.

    Something to add: I think that going after OCP only because of the money is by far the worst reason. I even don't think that OCPs get more money than non-OCPs. At least not in Western Europe.

    I personally became an OCP for self-confidence and in order to learn more about Oracle. Before I opened the first OCP book I thought that basically I should know almost everything about how to administer Oracle DBs. Boy, how wrong was I! I used to be one of many DBAs who do their job, can have the DB on and running, etc.

    Now I know, that a non-OCP cannot simply know half of the things about Oracle. I know DBAs who have worked with Oracle since Oracle 5 but have never heard of a bitmap index, inverse index, stored outlines, RMAN, not to mention how Oracle works internally. And they are good at what they do, they get good salary, they are respected at their jobs. But only after passing those OCP exams you may comprehend what advantage you have to the ordinary DBAs. In one sentence: you know more about Oracle than them, they can hardly surprise you with anything, but *you* can!



  10. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
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    147
    Julian,

    I think what you're saying is TRUE and I think that should be the main purpose for pursuing OCP. I have to admit that I know much more about Oracle after I read some of their OCP materials and wrote of one of the exams. But these days and especially in the IT industry money (especially when you jump for another job) seems to be the main motivating factor to get certified. Would i get a raise after I completed my OCP ? Nope. Would other companies hire me and willing to pay me more now that I have an OCP ?? For sure. All of my friends got better offers from other companies after they completed OCP program. Did I just started another controversial issue?? It would be nice to know the correlation between having an OCP and getting a raise. Did anyone in here get a raise (by staying w/ the same company) after completing OCP?

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