How about a newbie's point of view. I have been in IT for twelve years and the last year I have supported 1 Oracle database. Yes I know it's not much but at least it is a start.
I have been "lurking" on this list for the past year and have learned a lot from all of you and been confused by all of you even more. I received certification for Novel Netware 3.x back in the late 80s when certification meant something. At the time I used that cert as a foundation to my knowledge. I made sure that I reminded myself constantly that I did not know all and that I can still learn much more. At the very least the process of certification gave the means of finding out where the problem was, it gave me direction. I will most likely get certified Oracle. Not because it will make me a genius as you all have pointed out but because it will give me a foundation. A "learners permit", as someone has mentioned. I would be the first to say that I have years of hands on knowledge to acquire. Unfortunately, it is difficult to become a full time DBA without this experience. Hopefully the OCP will help me get my foot in the door and the rest is up to me and my mentors. Unfortunately, the certification idea has failed thanks to the many Microsnuff certs that have been handed out. We have to live in real world, the people who hire us and sign our pay checks are the same people who get swayed by Large company's marketing schemes of "do things our way or fail as a business and as a human". Just my .01 worth (CDN $) Scott Hayes Systems Administrator THALES Optronics Canada Inc. 4868 rue Levy Ville St-Laurent, Quebec, H4R 2P1 Tel: (514) 337-7878 x.222 Fax: (514) 337-1107 -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Hayes, Scott INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
