updating skills

[reddog]

Hi – currently in a contract but bench time could potentially be coming up in about 11 week’s time. I have happily been contracting for the past 2.5 years – basically using the skills I developed as a permie, I do Unix Admin (but also have SAN, Middleware and very basic DBA knowledge).

To be honest I have not really thought about developing my skills for a while and now could be the time for a refresh. I have a number of options to choose from, and would appreciate comments; I have listed advantages and disadvantages as I see them.

1) Get more/higher Unix/Linux certification
ADV:
Already strong in this area, further training will make sure I come out on top in the interview process.
I’ll be able to do my job better.
I can do the training in my own time / cheaply

DIS:
People are starting to say that eventually the hardware/OS will become a generic building block i.e. generic x64 hardware/cloud computing (I can’t see it happening exactly like that, but it’s a valid point).

2) Do some sort of Oracle Certification
ADV:
It may complement the Unix Admin quite well (there are still some combined SYSADMIN/DBA roles)
Knowledge of the data gives you more business focus/moves you up the food chain.
I am quite interested in MIS / Data warehousing
I could train in my on time / at little cost.

DIS:
I used to be a full time DBA (not Oracle) – it’s an ok job, but not earth shatteringly exciting.
Not sure I could jump into a full contract role as a DBA with just the cert.

3) Do some sort of computing MSc (probably with an emphasis on databases)
ADV:
I might be interested in some sort of management position in the future, possible in data management / MIS in which case this degree would be useful to get my foot in the door

DIS:
I would have to this on the Universities terms (i.e. attending lectures etc unlike studying for certs from a book)
It is a long term commitment that may interfere with future contracts
I have looked at a few of these courses; from what I have seen they are really not that advanced (this is an advantage and a disadvantage I guess)
The degree may not teach me skills that will be immediately useful.

4) Do PRINCE 2 and or ITIL Cert
ADV
They seem to be mentioned on a lot of job adverts, so some knowledge might be useful to get through the CV sift

DIS:
I am not sure that I am really that interested

5) Do nothing

ADV:
I should have the skills to see me through a few more years on a decent rate
Laziness pays off now….hardwork MAY pay of in the future

DIS:
Could get left behind




Thanks

[mace]

Tough one

You're right that technical skills are increasingly becoming commoditised but I can't think of an easy way out. There are as many moans on this forum from people with years of PM, BA and Architect experience as there are from sysadmins, dbas, qas and developers with a BA role being one that you would have guessed would be hardest to be offshored and/or replaced by an ICT. I think it's pot luck, tbh. If you take a browse on linkedin, people aren't staying in the same job for long nowadays, this is what makes it all stressful.

[nomadd]

1) Get more/higher Unix/Linux certification
2) Do some sort of Oracle Certification
3) Do some sort of computing MSc (probably with an emphasis on databases)
4) Do PRINCE 2 and or ITIL Cert
5) Do nothing
Thanks

Well the only thing clients seem to look at these days is your hands-on work experience. I used to spend hours/weeks/months/years keeping my skills up-to-date, but it isn't helping much these days. As another poster stated, the "technical skills" are a "commodity" these days - especially when 500 Indians will be putting forward cv's with the same skills list as you.

I'm currently in the process of massively rewriting my cv. It's long been heavy on listing my technical skills (12 years Java/WebSphere/Weblogic, 20 years Oracle, 10 years C/C++ - and I've more certifications from Sun and Oracle than you can shake a stick at) but after serving me well for 20 years as a contractor my cv now appears to be useless! I'm rewriting it to focus much more on my business-to-technical bridging skills, my rather ancient investment banking skills, and my ability to "work well with offshored project teams"

Not sure if my "new" cv will be any more successful, but it can't be any worse then the rejection rate my "old" cv is currently getting.

In short, I wouldn't waste your time on any more certifications or training, at least not in the present market. Things may look different a year or two from now, but hey, we might equally all be unemployable by then.

Mind you, if you were looking to do it "for pleasure", then why not.

Nomadd

[jmo21]

if you are sticking in the support arena, then don't bother with 3 or 4. I also wouldn't bother with 1, you can always upgrade your skills as you go.

Differentiate and go for 2!

[TheFaQQer]

I've spent time this week thinking about the same kind of things (while billing for the time, obviously!) Here's my vague thoughts...

1) Get more/higher Unix/Linux certification

Probably the best of your choices (that or do nothing). Maybe do some kind of Cisco type certification to do more with networks as well?

2) Do some sort of Oracle Certification

You're right - DBA work is quite dull at times, and you are unlikely to get a decent role with just the certification. I'm not a DBA by any means, but have an OCP DBA qualification - makes no difference that I can see.

You could do something other than DBA, but chances of getting a role with just the certificate rather than any real experience is probably nil.

3) Do some sort of computing MSc

Another disadvantage - it's VERY expensive. If you're going to blow a minimum £5k, you may as well do it on something that will help you earn more in the future.

4) Do PRINCE 2 and or ITIL Cert

If you're not that interested, then it's a waste of time. Don't bother.

5) Do nothing

Sounds like a plan to me.