WGU - BS IT - Databases, be frank!

I could see that not having a college degree could limit my career in the 5 to 7 year mark. But I am concerned that getting a degree through WGU might be a waste. I would like to hear from people here regarding their experiences with employers regarding WGU.

1. How is a WGU degree considered next to degrees from say universities like the University of Cincinnati? Meaning solid, midwestern universities.

2. Will *my certs* actually help me at WGU?
- MCSE Security
- Security+
- MCITP: Enterprise Admin
- MCITP: Enterprise Desktp Administrator 7
- MCITP: DBA SQL 2005 and SQL 2008 (at least will be after the 11th)
- A slew of MCTS certs.

My ultimate concern is will WGU help me break the 80K mark into a more senior DBA type role in 5 years time considering my current position? Basically I am at the end of my current 3-5 year plan (a little early, thank God!) and I am starting to put an eye on the future. Right now I am only concerned about professional development at my current job. For the next 3 years I want to really sharpen and perfect my skills while creating a professional portfolio of successful projects. But if a BS will be a concern in 5 years it would probably be a good idea to start planning now.

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Comments

erpadmin

Robert,

From a DBA to a DBA, you should have broken into 80k land with your experience and certs a long time ago! I can confidently state that a WGU will not only help you get a senior DBA position, but you'll probably see 90k after all is said and done. Of course...you might have to get out of Ohio. But assuming that's not the case, let me at least address your concerns.

1. There is one thing Western Governors University has in common with the University of Cincinnati. They are both regionally accredited. You can finish WGU and then parlay your BS into a dream job (with your experience...and I've read your stuff and you definitely know what you're talking about....) or go to a more traditional B&M school to get your Masters. Believe me, I wouldn't have wasted my time with WGU if I didn't think it could deliver to me what I needed...a BS degree that I can proudly say I earned. As well as a chance to get my MS in Management or a MBA so I can definitely break into IT management. I'd dare say my BS alone can do that for me...but I have to see how well I sell it after I get it.

2). Your MCITP EA will help you for the BS in Network Design and Management. NOW, you can try your hand at Oracle databases if you want to learn Oracle and get the BS in Databases (it's a hot RDBMS and it's on a sweet load of platforms). But with what you are bringing to the table, as well as how quickly you want to get a degree, I would go the NDM route for you. I myself will be taking the 2008 SQL Server exams once I get my Microsoft exams for the EA out of the way (as well as Server Admin...just because).

But seriously, if it weren't a real school, there wouldn't be so many people going to real B&Ms with just the WGU degree. If it weren't a real school, many people would not have gotten hired for jobs that required a degree.

I'm really shocked you haven't broken the 80k barrier though.....you could do that today! (If you want to leave Ohio....and I'm not knocking Ohio either, but you know you could make more in another market!)

earweed

He wouldn't have to take A+, Net+,Sec+, generic DB, and may not have to take the oracle DB classes. Here's what transfers for the oracle DB classes.

ALV1
Database II
6
Database Administrator Oracle 9i, 10g, or 11g or certification in one of the following areas: MCDBA, MCITP Developer, MCITP Administrator, MCA: Database, IBM DB2, MySQL Developer, or MySQL DBA.
AMV1
Database Administration
6
Database Administrator Oracle 9i, 10g, or 11g or certification in one of the following areas: MCDBA, MCITP Developer, MCITP Administrator, MCA: Database, IBM DB2, MySQL Developer, or MySQL DBA.

I think where they have MCITP Administrator is supposed to be DB Administrator which you have.

cablegod

One thing I've seen repeatedly, Oracle DBA salaries are significantly higher than DBA's of other RDMS. I'm not 100% a dedicated Oracle DBA, but it's a part of my overall job and I spend a lot of time in that area sometimes. It comes and goes for me, but I ejoy it the most. I personally know MANY Oracle DBA's way above the $100k/yr mark. If you have the chops & determination, it's a sure thing, take it to the bank, you'll get it. I can say the BS:NDM from WGU has tremendously helped me in more ways than one. I can say the same thing about the time I spent getting my OCA & OCP. Yes, I did the hands-on class to complete the OCP. Both were worth it. I feel comfortable telling you as a fellow DBA that yes, it is worth it, and it will help you. ERPadmin is right. You probably won't get the amount you're looking for in Ohio.

If you want to move further post-undergrad, I HIGHLY recommend looking into the UWF MS: Database Systems program, or MSA: Database Administration programs. The links are: UWF - Computer Science - Master of Science in Database Systems and UWF - Master of Science in Administration - Database Administration

I am seriously considering them both at the moment. The out-of-state tuition waiver makes choosing them easier to me as well when compared to others.

dynamik

erpadmin wrote: »

I'm really shocked you haven't broken the 80k barrier though.....you could do that today! (If you want to leave Ohio....and I'm not knocking Ohio either, but you know you could make more in another market!)

Too funny. After I read that sentence, I was about to reply, "If you want to break $80k, all you have to do is get the hell out of Ohio!"

I really expected you to be over that, given your expertise. You might need to work on your resume, marketing/presenting yourself better, and/or move if you're having that much trouble with it. From what I've seen, you have the skills.

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Databases, be frank!

Wait, are we role-playing? Um, OK... You be Suzy!

veritas_libertas

It depends on the employer, but it's regionally accredited and don't see any reason for it to get disrespect. I'm planning to go to a B&M after my BS so I'm not that concerned.

PS: Funny side note... My coworker and I started our semester together today and it seems that this is WGU's highest enrollement month, and the databases were so slammed that there was some rather quirky behavior going on with the student portal. They got it straigtened around but that got me to thinking that WGU is growing, and I believe will keep growing to point that they will be well known.

uhtrinity

veritas_libertas wrote: »

PS: Funny side note... My coworker and I started our semester together today and it seems that this is WGU's highest enrollement month, and the databases were so slammed that there was some rather quirky behavior going on with the student portal. They got it straigtened around but that got me to thinking that WGU is growing, and I believe will keep growing to point that they will be well known.

They just announced they hit 20,000. One of my co workers is also starting a business degree in Oct.

veritas_libertas

uhtrinity wrote: »

They just announced they hit 20,000. One of my co workers is also starting a business degree in Oct.

WoW! Now that is cool! Despite all their busy work they seem to be maintaining an excellent reputation. The only compaints I here from students is with the enrollement counselors, which I have to say is not that unsual an experience with any institution.

erpadmin

cablegod wrote: »

One thing I've seen repeatedly, Oracle DBA salaries are significantly higher than DBA's of other RDMS. I'm not 100% a dedicated Oracle DBA, but it's a part of my overall job and I spend a lot of time in that area sometimes. It comes and goes for me, but I ejoy it the most. I personally know MANY Oracle DBA's way above the $100k/yr mark. If you have the chops & determination, it's a sure thing, take it to the bank, you'll get it. I can say the BS:NDM from WGU has tremendously helped me in more ways than one. I can say the same thing about the time I spent getting my OCA & OCP. Yes, I did the hands-on class to complete the OCP. Both were worth it. I feel comfortable telling you as a fellow DBA that yes, it is worth it, and it will help you. ERPadmin is right. You probably won't get the amount you're looking for in Ohio.

If you want to move further post-undergrad, I HIGHLY recommend looking into the UWF MS: Database Systems program, or MSA: Database Administration programs. The links are: UWF - Computer Science - Master of Science in Database Systems and UWF - Master of Science in Administration - Database Administration

I am seriously considering them both at the moment. The out-of-state tuition waiver makes choosing them easier to me as well when compared to others.

Oracle DBAs do in fact make more than Microsoft ones...that is a fact. Especially if you have an Oracle background with PeopleSoft (another Oracle product).

My choice would have been learn Oracle or get into IT Management. I'd have a more fun time doing the latter. Maybe Robert might like Oracle Database work, but he might not even need to get into it if what Earweed said pans out (and it ususally does).

@Robert you should talk to an enrollment counselor and see what your options are. You have a number of people who can refer you to WGU so you're not paying $65...but seriously, with your background and a real degree, even without Oracle, you're gonna see close to $100k....I'm not even joking. I only have three CompTIA certs and about 7 years as a DBA (with about 13 years of sys admin experience). And I make about $84k. Another couple of years and it will be $90k. By that time I'll also see a degree!

RobertKaucher

dynamik wrote: »

I really expected you to be over that, given your expertise. You might need to work on your resume, marketing/presenting yourself better, and/or move if you're having that much trouble with it. From what I've seen, you have the skills.

...

Wait, are we role-playing? Um, OK... You be Suzy!

The issue is more enterpise level experience rather than just knowledge and certs. As far as salary and ability to gain the exoerience I need, I'm in the right place. Right now I need to consolidate my professional resume, which is really what is holding me back. I don't want anyone to get me wrong. I am very happy where I am currently and I know it is a great stepping stone for the next phase of my career. I'm just starting to formulate the plan for that next step.

Once I have some strong professional accomplishments I can add to my resume and some good presentations at the SQL and SharePoint UGs I will start considering the marketing of my skillset more.

And how many times do eMeS and I have to tell you? You are always Suzy. Now where is your dress?