microsoft.public.certification - change in career? (long)

Author

change in career? (long)

2003-03-24, 11:23 pm

Hello, I am looking for some insight/guidance/advice.

Background:
I am a licensed professional civil engineer (PE) working in the
environmental field (11 years). I have been working with computers
since '89. I learned GWBASIC during college and even wrote some simple
programs after college to aid in work. I kinda liked programming. I
also took a fortran class but don't remember any of it. I am the person
people (friends/family) come to when they have any type of computer
related issue.

-I am self-taught in many software programs (AutoCAD, Word, Excel,
WordPerfect, QuattroPro, engineering specific programs, and now working
on Access).
-I consider myself a good learner when supplied with a good book.
-I consider myself to be a good "troubleshooter". I do it for work
related issues and computer related issues (hardware, software,
networking).
-Built (ie. assembled) 3 computers.
-I have owned and operated my own company (for 3 years) and worked
mostly for consulting companies. So, I know what it is like to work
long hours.
-I finally installed Linux (RH) for the heck of it. Other than some USB
issues, it went OK.
-Currently make >$80k/yr

Interests:
I knew one IT professional (network admin for local, large county tax
appraisal office). Based on what he knew of me, he thought I would be a
good DB administrator. This was 2 years ago.

For the past year, I have started working w/ MS Access. I didn't
realize how powerful database programs could be. I had big hopes of
creating an Access database application to track remediation system
operational data. This data would be used to create reports for a state
agency. I was able to setup the tables, forms and some reports but was
unable to create the calculations I needed. Evidently, it requires VBA.
I am just know getting around to learning VBA. I am starting with "MS
Access 2k, VBA Fundamentals" (MS publication). I believe I will need to
move on to a bigger/better book (any recommendations?). I find myself
wanting to spend all of my time working on this project (non-billable).

I also have interests in networking, but other than setting up simple
routers, I don't know what exactly is involved.

I have started reading/researching certifications. I can not tell if
you need an actual 4yr IT/MIS/CS degree prior to even thinking about
obtaining some certifications.

I have also looked at training centers. I know there is a New Horizons
and TechSkills here in San Antonio. (I live north of SA). Based on what
I've found so far, these places are hit or miss. Some have good
instructors and others do not. I don't know there pricing structure
either. I haven't read to much positive about on-line places either
(ie. smartcertify). I am wondering if I can self-teach myself
something?

I do know a DB Admin in Dallas. I guess I should pick her brain a
little.

All this said/written, I guess I am leaning towards DB admin or DB
development.

What is involved (time, money) in getting a MCDBA or an Oracle
equivalent?

I know I won't be able to make the kind of money I make now, but I could
freelance the engineering work while learning something new. How long
would it take to get back up to the $70k salary range?

There are many more questions, but I'll stop here for now.
Any web page references would also be appreciated. I guess I need to
get an idea of what a DBA or DB developer does day-to-day.
I hope this is an appriopriate forum for this post.

Thanks,
DM
txpe@satx.rr.com

Lancer

2003-04-04, 11:23 pm

DM...

I've been writting access applications for departments and division for
about 10 years. I left the Air Force after 10 years as a logistic person
(box kicker).

I currently make $110k per year writting applications and building database
schemas for "real" dbas to implement into SQL Server.

Here were some keys to success:

1. Find your niche and stick to it. Don't try to invent, improvise.
2. Get really good at what you do. People will seek you out for it.
3. Do get involved with any job you can't do from home in your underware.
I took an $800 pc, $350 copy of office pro, and a $25 book and made $110k a
year. That's a decent ROI.
4. Get connected. Getting jobs in the consulting world is all about who
you know. Make connections and exercise them.

Good Luck

lance

"DM" <txpe@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9348ED03D3ECtxpeatsatx
rrcom@216.166.71.235...
> Hello, I am looking for some insight/guidance/advice.
>
> Background:
> I am a licensed professional civil engineer (PE) working in the
> environmental field (11 years). I have been working with computers
> since '89. I learned GWBASIC during college and even wrote some simple
> programs after college to aid in work. I kinda liked programming. I
> also took a fortran class but don't remember any of it. I am the person
> people (friends/family) come to when they have any type of computer
> related issue.
>
> -I am self-taught in many software programs (AutoCAD, Word, Excel,
> WordPerfect, QuattroPro, engineering specific programs, and now working
> on Access).
> -I consider myself a good learner when supplied with a good book.
> -I consider myself to be a good "troubleshooter". I do it for work
> related issues and computer related issues (hardware, software,
> networking).
> -Built (ie. assembled) 3 computers.
> -I have owned and operated my own company (for 3 years) and worked
> mostly for consulting companies. So, I know what it is like to work
> long hours.
> -I finally installed Linux (RH) for the heck of it. Other than some USB
> issues, it went OK.
> -Currently make >$80k/yr
>
> Interests:
> I knew one IT professional (network admin for local, large county tax
> appraisal office). Based on what he knew of me, he thought I would be a
> good DB administrator. This was 2 years ago.
>
> For the past year, I have started working w/ MS Access. I didn't
> realize how powerful database programs could be. I had big hopes of
> creating an Access database application to track remediation system
> operational data. This data would be used to create reports for a state
> agency. I was able to setup the tables, forms and some reports but was
> unable to create the calculations I needed. Evidently, it requires VBA.
> I am just know getting around to learning VBA. I am starting with "MS
> Access 2k, VBA Fundamentals" (MS publication). I believe I will need to
> move on to a bigger/better book (any recommendations?). I find myself
> wanting to spend all of my time working on this project (non-billable).
>
> I also have interests in networking, but other than setting up simple
> routers, I don't know what exactly is involved.
>
> I have started reading/researching certifications. I can not tell if
> you need an actual 4yr IT/MIS/CS degree prior to even thinking about
> obtaining some certifications.
>
> I have also looked at training centers. I know there is a New Horizons
> and TechSkills here in San Antonio. (I live north of SA). Based on what
> I've found so far, these places are hit or miss. Some have good
> instructors and others do not. I don't know there pricing structure
> either. I haven't read to much positive about on-line places either
> (ie. smartcertify). I am wondering if I can self-teach myself
> something?
>
> I do know a DB Admin in Dallas. I guess I should pick her brain a
> little.
>
> All this said/written, I guess I am leaning towards DB admin or DB
> development.
>
> What is involved (time, money) in getting a MCDBA or an Oracle
> equivalent?
>
> I know I won't be able to make the kind of money I make now, but I could
> freelance the engineering work while learning something new. How long
> would it take to get back up to the $70k salary range?
>
> There are many more questions, but I'll stop here for now.
> Any web page references would also be appreciated. I guess I need to
> get an idea of what a DBA or DB developer does day-to-day.
> I hope this is an appriopriate forum for this post.
>
> Thanks,
> DM
> txpe@satx.rr.com

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