Re: RE: My career path and Oracle?

I have three BS degrees - Physics, Applied Math, and CS (~230 undergrad sem hrs) - and went 2/3 of the way through an MS in CS. None of this made any notable difference after my first CS-related job.

If I go back, it will NOT be in CS (*way* too boring). Physics is far more interesting and less subject to inane executive decree. ("Memo: The gravity benefit has been eliminated. Please remove this section from your copy of the employee handbook."). Also, computer scientists don't get cool toys like liquid nitrogen cannons and holography equipment.

On the other hand, I may be too old/lazy for another couple of years of intense 20-hour graduate school days. Other less demanding semi-retirement options could include bait shop proprietor, carpenter, rodeo clown, or ski area snowcat driver.

Don Granaman
OraSaurus (and rodeo clown wannabe)

• Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 1:32 PM

> I don't have any degree higher than a plain BA. It hasn't made a
> difference as far as I can see, however, I have gone on interviews
> where they asked if I had a college degree. They didn't seem to care
> WHAT the degree was in (mine as it happens IS in Computer Science).
>
> I started an MBA program. And realized that it would push me towards
> the management track (I hope I'd never turn into damagement), where I
> didn't want to be.
>
> Someday I'll go back to school, perhaps for another degree, perhaps
> not. Definitely for something I'm interested in as opposed to something
> just to earn money
>
> --- "Orr, Steve" <sorr_at_rightnow.com> wrote:
> > I hold a generic MBA... hold the applause please. To my
> > amazement/amusement it's actually made a difference in successful gig
> > acquisition. It doesn't seem to matter whether the institution is
> > ivory tower or run of the mill, paper mill that is. Getting an
> > accredited online degree in your spare time could be a strategy for
> > folks that don't want to give up a job. I guess the question is
> > whether the degree is for personally vanity or part of a well thought
> > out career plan.
> >
> > Teenage hackers who are smart as a whip and can write their own
> > ticket without any degree may be an even better career strategy for
> > geeks. Just ask Billy G. Or for a real laugh check out the offensive
> > commencement address Larry E. gave to a bunch of ivory tower grads.
> >
>

http://urbanlegends.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.satirew ire.com/news/0006/satire%2Dellison.html
> > (btw, the above speech is actually a hoax as it never occurred.)
> >
> > It's getting cold around here... 4 degrees below zero:
> >
> > 0
> > M.B.A. More Banal Accolades
> > B.S. Bull S**t
> > M.S More of the Same
> > Ph.D Piled High and Deep
> >
> >
> > Steve Orr
> > Bozeman, Montana
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 9:52 AM
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> >
> > If you are planning to stay on the technical/practical/nuts and bolts
> > side of things, then a masters is the way to go. I wouldn't bother
> > with a Ph.D unless you are shooting for a teaching/research position.
> > At best most places will ignore it and at worst you will be
> > overqualified. If you have the extra time, get a second masters,
> > perhaps an MBA. Your training should say, "I understand the practical
> > side of all this" not "I am Ivory Tower, go away."
> >
> > My hope is to retire to a teaching position at a local university in
> > 20 years. In a case like that I will want that Ph.D, but not for some
> > time yet.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 8:42 AM
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> > Ive noticed that not having a technical degree really hurt me in my
> > latest job search. Getting another bachelors would actually take as
> > long as getting 2 masters degrees and almost as long as Ph.D, since
> > Universites are 'difficult' on transfer credit.
> >
> > Ive also noticed that alot of positions these days really want
> > technical degrees and preferably graduate degrees. Masters only takes
> > 2 years and its interesting since. Havent decided on the Ph.D, will
> > take me a while since I have a non-technical degree, so I have to
> > take a bunch of math to qualify.
> >
> > Im only 28 and basically while Im still young, I want to make sure Im
> > position so that in the future I can do what ever is needed. I doublt
> > Ill be writing PL/SQL then. I worked with a guy who was a mainframer
> > for 30 years and the demand for him was extremely high through the
> > early 1990s, but has fallen off the earth. He got into Oracle
> > development, but he had to step down to a junior level position. This
> > gravely concerns me.
> >
> > Ph.D... is a real pain.
> >
> > --
> > Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
> > --
> > Author: <rgaffuri_at_cox.net
> > INET: rgaffuri_at_cox.net
> >
> >
>
>
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-- 
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
-- 
Author: Don Granaman
  INET: granaman_at_cox.net

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