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Reckless83
Starting Member
3 Posts |
 Posted - 2007-11-09 : 09:49:29
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| Hello everyone. This is my first post on this board. I've been working for an investment bank in London (via an IT services company) as a DBA for a year now. It's pretty much my first real job since graduating from university. I did a bit of SAP before this job but it didn't really work out.The work has been almost entirely on SQL Server 2000. I've done a bit of 2005 such as installs, backing up/restoring databases, setting up security. I was thinking of doing an MCITP course in SQL 2005 in India early next year (my company will not pay for training - cheapos). The bank has recently been taken over by another bank and I don't know what the future holds beyond February, it's probably likely that the DBA's from the other bank will take over. Do you think certification is needed? Would it be hard for me to get another job with the experience I currently have?I find it difficult to study at home and the idea of going to India and getting the certification in 2 weeks appeals to me. Has anyone else ever been to a boot camp in India or elsewhere? Just how important is certification?If you could provide me with some advice I would be most grateful. |
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elancaster
A very urgent SQL Yakette
1208 Posts |
Posted - 2007-11-09 : 09:54:11
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| personally speaking.....when i hire people i always look at experience before certification, and to be honest if i thought someone had just done a '2 week boot camp' for the sake of getting accredited it would just put me off them. cramming stuff into your head in order to pass exam does not mean you'll remember any of it a month later, let alone be able to use any of it.Em |
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Reckless83
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 2007-11-09 : 10:21:40
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| Thanks for the reply elancaster. Are you certified yourself? If so, how long after you first became a DBA did you go for certification? |
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elancaster
A very urgent SQL Yakette
1208 Posts |
Posted - 2007-11-09 : 11:06:08
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quote:
Are you certified yourself?
No  I did the Microsoft courses for SQL Server 2000, and the update ones for 2005 (because my company paid for them) but never took the exams. It was the knowledge gained from the courses i found useful and have never really been bothered about the certification. Other people may disagree of courseNot being certified has never hindered me in getting a job either, i've got about 10 years experience and have never even been questioned about certificationIf i were interviewing you given your current position (1 year ish experience?), i'd be much more interested in what you'd done in that year rather than what exams you'd taken. again... personal opinion of course  Em |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
Posted - 2007-11-09 : 11:18:25
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| i'm certified (70-431) and i acctually leared some new stuff while learning for the exam.however i'm not a dba._______________________________________________Causing trouble since 1980blog: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenpSSMS Add-in that does a few things: www.ssmstoolspack.com |
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Reckless83
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 2007-11-09 : 11:27:33
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| Again, thanks for the info elancaster. As I mentioned we don't do much 2005 stuff where I work, so maybe when I've got more 2005 hands on experience I can consider certification then. I'll have more money saved up by then as well. In the meantime I'll have to learn as much as possible before February.Has anyone been turned down for a job because of lack of certification? |
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SQL 2005 Certification