Hello!

I used visit this site almost everyday. Now try to visit at least once a week.

I find this topic very interesting. Let me share my side. Before that let me thank Tim Hall. His site helps me a lot when I do not carry my CD case. Also I visit his site for other references. So, keep up good work.

Now my side: I am working as an oracle dba little over 7 years, used to be an experienced Engineer. Gave up because it is big name but no money. When I saw guy came from overseas with no or little college education and making over 70K, I thought I am in wrong business. So, I went to Oracle web and downloaded oracle7 and started my own. Later, Enroll in one of the tech school for 2 months weekend class. After I completed the school I was took my first test. Fist test was SQL for Oracle7/8, did not pass, waited 30 days and took it again this time passed it, there on everything gone my way, passed all testes and land a Job with company via friend I meet in my Oracle class. The Director interviewed me was an older gentlemen with long programming background. He like what I presented and told him why I am changing my profession. I told him I will be retire before I can make my entry level Oracle dba salary. I get in with 55K as starting.

In the mean time lots have change in our Oracle world! Changed job once and got laid off last January, but landed contract again within 2 months, with good pay. In this two month I got a several interview, and one with Oracle. I will give brief about Oracle only because they should know better about OCP. I got the interview via an agency.

When I went to the brand new Oracle data center, I saw what was expected, everything State of the art, but when I saw the main person will interview me I got very disappointed with his personal hygiene. I never saw such a person. But any way, he took me to the conference room with other two people and one over the bridge from the main office.

Fist question was, Ohne! You are OCP, OK tell me this, tell this, you should know all these because you are an OCP. At that point I decide I will not going work for these people and start asking my question. First question I asked how long you all in this country (USA). Have you ever try to take any of the OCP test? After few of my questions, person (Manager) from California took over and he try to conclude the interview in civilize way. My final comment was oracle should require all dba to be Certified and Main office guy laugh.

Beside that I receive very well with my OCP credential. Also now a day my resume gets standout because I think for my 3-OCP and 7 years of experience. So do not let down, keep up, keep use your OCP and you will get notice.

By the way I had to take several other test like proveIT, and other test for all this agencies. They think they own you and now a day you do not have any choice. I think these agencies are parasites, making living on us.

Thanks,
OraMan