when working for oracle support we had to take ocp exams for 7.3/8.0/8i back in 2000. Later on as a contractor, I neglected certification, until recently, when I decided to take ocp and ocm 10g exams and even cissp (infosec). The only reason being that I wanted to set some targets for myself. Luckily I passed all of them. Some even say that being ocm can make it more difficult to get a new assignment .. when you are being looked upon as the wise guy, which I ain't. Just will have to find out if ocm brings any benefits at all. Kind regards, Andre, The Netherlands 2008/6/9, Mark Strickland <strickland.mark@xxxxxxxxx>: > > I keep my certification current. It gives me that extra bit of > motivation. Plan to get the OCM. Figure I talked my way into my first DBA > job in 1993 (v6.0.3...scared without excrement to upgrade to v7...still > scared without excrement to upgrade to 11g). Then I proved myself. And > even after I proved myself, I can think of at least one situation where I > just wasn't a good fit no matter how hard I tried. I agree with everything > said previously, but don't discount those who are motivated and ambitious > and who get that certification and talk their way into a DBA position. They > might be the best DBA you've ever encountered. Or not. I interview well. > Because I learned early on how to interview well. I have great references. > So? What if I lose my ambition and motivation and fear of failure? Or > display other evidence of being HUMAN. I'd rather hire someone who is eager > and motivated and seems like they'd be reasonable to work with (not a prima > donna from a Prestige Company...not that I'VE ever been THAT) and has good > troubleshooting skills and is organized (FAT CHANCE!). Cowboys/girls need > not apply. Oh, and would it be asking too much to expect them to be a good > technical writer (not publishable documentation...just basic project > plans)? That was a rhetorical question, of course...one can dream. Indeed, > they have to demonstrate the requisite technical knowledge, but that's the > starting point. What is my point? I guess my point is that it comes down > to good judgment. I personally prefer the empirical approach (to > everything) but these are human beings we're talking about. There's no > formula. I've been on interview panels and given my thumbs-up for the > candidate to go on to Hollywood only to find that, once they were hired, I > couldn't stand them (but alcohol helps). Too late. No doubt, I've been on > the other side of that. I'm rambling. It comes back to: there's no > formula. And once you got 'em, they're still human. That's a good thing. > > Regards, > Mark > Seattle, WA >