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Amethystium
Aged Yak Warrior
701 Posts |
 Posted - 2005-04-19 : 09:54:23
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Greetings!  I have very basic knowledge of SQL Server Administration but I have pretty much all the pre-requisites (according to the MS website) to train as a MCDBA. Is it therefore worth my time and effort to gain such certification?! (My current role as a Data Migration Analyst is being made redundant in July)My SQL Server skills are pretty good but not had much development as I've been working on mainly data migration projects since graduation in 2001.Any advice?!Thank in advance.------------->>> BREAKING NEWS!!! <<<------------- Saddam Hussien has weapons of mass destruction |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)
7020 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 10:29:40
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| I would say it is OK if you are doing it to gain knowledge.I personally never pay any attention to certifications when I look at a resume. I look for significant work experience first.I also look very carefully at the resume and cover letter for written English skills (or lack of skills). A sloppy, poorly written resume goes straight to the NO stack.One reason that I don't pay any attention to certifications, is that I give an in-depth technical interview that lasts 2 or more hours, including written SQL problems to solve. This gives me a much better evaluation of the skills of the candidate, and I have rejected candidates who had great looking resumes.CODO ERGO SUM |
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Merkin
Funky Drop Bear Fearing SQL Dude!
4970 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 10:30:42
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| In the past when this question has come up, the general upshot is... an MCDBA doesn't actually mean you know anything, but it can be very useful to get you through the first level hr / recruiter people who tick buzzwords and acronyms off a list.Basically, it can help you get your foot in the door. Once you are there, you need to show some skills.DamianIta erat quando hic adveni. |
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Amethystium
Aged Yak Warrior
701 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 10:32:05
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quote:
Originally posted by spirit1
i had a similar question:http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=47656Go with the flow & have fun! Else fight the flow 
Thanks for this Spirit.I'm sort of re-evaluating my skill set at the moment and I don't seem to have much to be honest. As I said, I've worked on various migration projects since graduation so my SQL is good (T-SQL much stronger than PL/SQL) but I've had exposure to both. My development skills are very bad so I am not sure if I should concentrate on learning VB and/or C# or I conserve my energy for pure SQL Server, i.e. get certified as a DBA. ------------->>> BREAKING NEWS!!! <<<------------- Saddam Hussien has weapons of mass destruction |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 10:35:50
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well my personal opinion is that each DBA should have some .net knowledge.seeing how integrated VS 2005 is with sql server 2005 and the CLR intermix with the SQL server i really don't see how can younot have any .net knowledge.learn c# is my advice  Go with the flow & have fun! Else fight the flow |
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Amethystium
Aged Yak Warrior
701 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 10:50:21
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quote:
I would say it is OK if you are doing it to gain knowledge.I personally never pay any attention to certifications when I look at a resume. I look for significant work experience first.
.. catch-22 situation. I can not acquire experience out of thin air and I can’t get the job in order to get the experience.quote:
One reason that I don't pay any attention to certifications, is that I give an in-depth technical interview that lasts 2 or more hours, including written SQL problems to solve. This gives me a much better evaluation of the skills of the candidate, and I have rejected candidates who had great looking resumes.
That’s an interesting one. I had an interview last week which lasted slightly under three hours. Boy did they give me a good grilling or what!! My Transact-SQL went very well ( I think I scored full marks on that one) but my VB let me down very badly. I barely managed to explain the difference between early and late binding but that was about as much as I got.quote:
In the past when this question has come up, the general upshot is... an MCDBA doesn't actually mean you know anything, but it can be very useful to get you through the first level hr / recruiter people who tick buzzwords and acronyms off a list.
Well I’m hoping that having MCDBA on my CV (as well as the knowledge gained from the course) would compensate for the lack of actual DBA experience gained in a work place. This raises an important question, does having a certification make up for the lack of experience in the eyes of an employer?!quote:
Basically, it can help you get your foot in the door. Once you are there, you need to show some skills.
Well it’s either that or get MCSD or something but then I would have to work a lot on my VB .NET skills.Arrgghhh.. I’m getting depressed. ------------->>> BREAKING NEWS!!! <<<------------- Saddam Hussien has weapons of mass destruction |
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AjarnMark
SQL Slashing Gunting Master
3246 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-19 : 11:47:53
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| I'm paraphrasing the author John Maxwell here, but remember that people don't pay for average, so work on your strengths. If you feel you're mid-range in SQL Server, but low in .NET, I'd suggest firming up your SQL Server. If you focus on .NET which is not a strength area, then you'll become average in two areas instead of strong in one. But you'll probably need to be at least conversant in .NET, if not proficient, so read up on it, but don't spend all your time trying to teach yourself .NET. Or, do a one or two week intense training to get a little experience, and then polish your SQL skills to shine.Some people have posted here in the past talking about how much they learned in the process of going for their MCDBA, so that might be a good approach to take to sharpen your skills.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Emerald City Domains: Great deals on Domain Registration, Web Hosting, Custom Email, and more! |
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MCDBA