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 MCDBA then what??

Author  Topic 

Norwich
Posting Yak Master

158 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 05:50:02
Hi

What would you guys suggest that one do after they've done their MCDBA?

Regards
N

The revolution won't be televised!

elwoos
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2052 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 06:39:15
Get a job as a DBA!


steve

-----------

Oh, so they have internet on computers now!
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Norwich
Posting Yak Master

158 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 07:19:38
I meant in terms of qualifications.

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Wanderer
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1168 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 10:44:50
It really deoends - have you got experience - if so some of the following may not be relevant?

Do you know what it is you want to do - for example specializing in administration, hardware, installations, support, etc., (train/learn more about hardware, SAN's, etc.) or are you more interested in developments, DB design, etc (learn more about design, datawarehousing, coding like C# etc.). Those are, especially at larger shops, areas where you can specialize, whereas many smaller shops require all of that from one person, and can also expect more, like windows administrations etc. (learn more about AD, windows - MCSE type studying).

Just some thoughts - Steve's comment is very valid though. If I'm interviewing 1 person with with no certification and 3 years experience, another person with an MCDBA and 3 years experience, and a 3rd person with no/little experience but a MCDBA,MCSE,MCP,MCAD,etc. etc. etc., I'm going to be hiring the there with experience and the MCDBA certification (assumming all other things like interview, salary are exactly the same). MCDBA helps choose between oherwise equal candidates (imho) but doesn't compare/compete with real experience....

CiaO

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Chaos, Disorder and Panic ... my work is done here!
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)

7020 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 11:17:58
I don't consider certifications at all when hiring people or screening people for interviews. My feeling is that they are irrelevant as a predictor of skill and ability. I don’t hold certifications against people, but I don’t view them as a plus either.

I look a resumes and cover letters for work experience, education, and written English skills. I look at technical skills in detail in the interview.



CODO ERGO SUM
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elwoos
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2052 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 11:49:38
I wasn't simply being flippant. I tend to look at the persons all round abilities. If you have experience and the exams it tends to indicate that this is something you are interested in for the long term as you have worked hard for the exams and then applied that knowledge in the real world.

There are many people who "do IT" just because it is another job and could just eas easily move to managing a clothes shop. There are also people who work hard and/or get their certification and prove that they are going to stick around in the industry. In the end its a fine balance because you want people who have a life but you also want those that will go the extra mile when they need to.

In summary
quote:
Get a job as a DBA!



steve

-----------

Oh, so they have internet on computers now!
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

3575 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 13:31:53
If your question was regarding what you should do next to get that DBA job - then I suggest you take a class on interviewing skills. The most important part of the interview is not coming off as an asshole. You want to be seen as someone people can (and want) to work with. Handling yourself in an interview is a far more important skill than some ridiculous certification.

If your question was regarding what you should do to learn more about SQL Server - then I suggest you participate in these forums. When you get to the point where you can help people out with SQL Server issues (queries, setup, troubleshooting, performance tuning, etc.) then you are someone with hireable skill. Someone with just an MCDBA does not have that.

Or, you could just do both.



-ec
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)

7020 Posts

Posted - 2006-02-27 : 13:55:37
quote:
Originally posted by eyechart
...not coming off as an asshole...


Always a good skill to have.

A big part of the inteview process is the interviewer looking for reasons to say NO. Come across as difficult, lazy, an asshole, etc. and you've made their decision easy.


I interviewed a guy once who had the worst bad breath you could imagine. After 5 minutes with him in a small interview room, I knew he wasn't getting hired.

Maybe he was having a bad day, but I just didn't feel like finding out. He had great technical skills, but had been out of work for a year, so I suspect other interviewers had the same experience.









CODO ERGO SUM
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Norwich
Posting Yak Master

158 Posts

Posted - 2006-03-15 : 06:18:00
Thanks guys.
This raised a few issues I never thought of.
1: Bad breath is not good
2: Being an asshole is not good
3: Certification doesn't always count
4: Experience is key!

I've got about 3 and half years in general SQL (admin and development).
I enjoy both developing and admin.
I just completed my MCDBA.

I'm torn between SQL Development jobs and Admin ones...

Regards
N

The revolution won't be televised!
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AndrewMurphy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2916 Posts

Posted - 2006-03-15 : 07:57:13
"I'm torn between SQL Development jobs and Admin ones..."

Are you a freespirit or a control freak/masochist.....
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Wanderer
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1168 Posts

Posted - 2006-03-15 : 10:16:22
In Andrews case, I'm voting the later...

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Norwich
Posting Yak Master

158 Posts

Posted - 2006-03-18 : 05:05:04
quote:
Originally posted by AndrewMurphy

"I'm torn between SQL Development jobs and Admin ones..."

Are you a freespirit or a control freak/masochist.....



Good one Andrew!
It makes the choice so much easier.

Now, where's my freakin keyboard?

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Norwich
Posting Yak Master

158 Posts

Posted - 2006-04-13 : 02:03:23
quote:
Originally posted by elwoos

Get a job as a DBA!


steve

-----------

Oh, so they have internet on computers now!



Update

I got a job as a DBA.
Hey, this MCDBA stuff works!

and the job come with an endless supply of coffee

Regards
N

The revolution won't be televised!
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elwoos
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2052 Posts

Posted - 2006-04-13 : 03:17:22
Congratulations - now make sure you get a couple of years experience then the world is your lobster


steve

-----------

Oh, so they have internet on computers now!
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AndrewMurphy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2916 Posts

Posted - 2006-04-13 : 12:37:35
"and the job come with an endless supply of coffee..."

...because they expect you to work through the night????
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)

7020 Posts

Posted - 2006-04-13 : 13:41:28
quote:
Originally posted by Norwich
...and the job come with an endless supply of coffee...

I hope this isn't your dream job.




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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

3575 Posts

Posted - 2006-04-13 : 13:43:00
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Valentine Jones

quote:
Originally posted by Norwich
...and the job come with an endless supply of coffee...

I hope this isn't your dream job.




CODO ERGO SUM



Hopefully a restroom is part of the benefits package too..



-ec
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druer
Constraint Violating Yak Guru

314 Posts

Posted - 2006-05-08 : 13:43:52
The end of this series of posts regarding a job with endless coffee sounds so much like Wally in Dilbert. Ooooh that Wally and his coffee.

Hope it helps,
Dalton

Blessings aren't so much a matter of "if they come" but "are you noticing them."
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master

11752 Posts

Posted - 2006-05-09 : 05:14:49
and now dilbert got fired...

Go with the flow & have fun! Else fight the flow
Blog thingie: [URL="http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp"]
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