Oracle Certification Will Increase Your Computer Job Opportunities

If you are a database administrator who aspires to have one of the top computer jobs (and a higher salary), acquiring a high-level Oracle certification will help you prove to potential employers that you have what it takes.

Database administration has been earmarked as one of the hot computer jobs for the future by the U.S. Department of Labor, which says that it will be one of the "fastest growing occupations through 2014." Up-to-date skills, however, are essential if you want to compete for the best jobs and the best salaries. One way to show employers that you are familiar with the latest trends and developments is to earn a new certification.

If you are a DBA who works with Oracle the chances are that you have already qualified as an OCA (Oracle Certified Associate). If you want to move further up the career ladder think about taking the OCP or even trying to join the elite group of OCM's.

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

This is the qualification employers are looking for when recruiting for top computer jobs. The OCP is your stepping-stone to a more senior level for any DBA who has a well-established career in the field e.g. already managing a large database or developing company-wide applications.

Oracle Certified Master (OCM)

OCM's are database gurus -- people who have the knowledge, skills and experience to carry out and manage crucial projects. They are an elite group, numbering hundreds rather than thousands.

If you are already an OCP and have experience in all aspects of database administration, including installing, backing-up and recovery, you might be a candidate for the OCM. It's not an easy qualification to earn however, requiring two days of "hands-on" testing with a cost of around $2,000.

The investment in your career should pay off though in terms of a higher salary. According to Microsoft Certified Magazine's 2005 Salary Survey, the average salary for an OCP was $85,556 and a quick search of the technology job agency Dice showed advertisements for OCP's or OCM's with salaries between $85,000 and $105,000.

Sources
Oracle
U.S. Dept Labor, Bureau of Labor Studies
Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine, 2005 Salary Survey
Monster
Dice