Reply to: Calling all Oracle contractors

[TheFaQQer]

I honestly can't answer that as I bootcamped my OCP together then learned the skills. Bad, I know, but it's kept me in work for some years now.

And, FWIW, I think I'm pretty good, TBH.

OCP just means that you can pass an exam - I know plenty of bad DBAs who have OCP and plenty of really good ones that don't. Oracle rarely certifies their own people, but it's sometimes hard to convince clients and agents of this.

[Troll]

You get to have servants so no menial household chores i.e. making the bed.

I'm thinking more like early morning baths a-la "Coming to America"

[RandyW]

I used to read Oracle on ITV until they rebranded it as Teletext.

[EqualOpportunities]

Do you find OCP makes any difference to what you do or how much you charge for it?

I'm not a DBA, but got the OCP so that I can possibly sell myself as being able to do some support stuff rather than front-line DBA work. Therefore, it makes no difference to my work or rate really, but is something that I can throw in if I think it will be a deal maker.

OCM would be good if you wanted to do something like write white papers, or books etc. as there are so few around. That said, it's flipping hard by all accounts (I think that they basically have someone watch you for two days to see what you are doing to get the certification), and will be expensive. I don't think that many clients (and almost certainly no agents) will understand what it means.

Something like "Oracle Certified Expert" for Oracle 10g on Linux (I think that's one!) looks good though. Being an Oracle Certified Workflow Expert has helped me get some roles with very little effort, as (again) there are so few out there.

I honestly can't answer that as I bootcamped my OCP together then learned the skills. Bad, I know, but it's kept me in work for some years now.

And, FWIW, I think I'm pretty good, TBH.

[TheFaQQer]

Do you reckon it's worth the time and (probably considerable) effort to reach the OCM or should I just stay with the OCP?

Do you find OCP makes any difference to what you do or how much you charge for it?

I'm not a DBA, but got the OCP so that I can possibly sell myself as being able to do some support stuff rather than front-line DBA work. Therefore, it makes no difference to my work or rate really, but is something that I can throw in if I think it will be a deal maker.

OCM would be good if you wanted to do something like write white papers, or books etc. as there are so few around. That said, it's flipping hard by all accounts (I think that they basically have someone watch you for two days to see what you are doing to get the certification), and will be expensive. I don't think that many clients (and almost certainly no agents) will understand what it means.

Something like "Oracle Certified Expert" for Oracle 10g on Linux (I think that's one!) looks good though. Being an Oracle Certified Workflow Expert has helped me get some roles with very little effort, as (again) there are so few out there.

[oracleslave]

answering - like it says in the post, FFS

<cough> edit <cough>

[EqualOpportunities]

Do you reckon it's worth the time and (probably considerable) effort to reach the OCM or should I just stay with the OCP?

[TheFaQQer]

asking or answering questions? Count me in btw

answering - like it says in the post, FFS

[oracleslave]

and had problems asking some questions that a real DBA would know.

asking or answering questions? Count me in btw

[TheFaQQer]

I did my DBA OCP in India this year.

Guy running the training course was saying that he was aiming for his Oracle Certified Master this year (claims his cousin is one). Not a chance in Hell will he get it - nice guy, knew the training materials well, but had no real world experience as a DBA, and had problems answering some questions that a real DBA would know.

[EqualOpportunities]

TBH, they'll probably need help - I'm sure I have met every last mother ******' Indian DBA over about the last 5 years... Grummel.

[TheFaQQer]

I'm a bit more in favour of off shoring it (i.e. me working from home for a change), but if I have to go somewhere hot and sunny for work, then so be it.

We should form a new consultancy and tender for the work.

"Bodgeit & Scarper" sounds like it might work for this one.

Indian public sector - there's money to be had there

[lilelvis2000]

I'm in! I've always wanted to explore that area.

[EqualOpportunities]

Put me down, for sure. Worked in Bangalore a few years back and loved it.

[TheFaQQer]

You get to have servants so no menial household chores i.e. making the bed.

Plus, if we can work in Goa, we could all go and visit AP!