Monday, July 7, 2008

Volunteer to develop with the next generation of DBA exams

The next generation of MySQL DBA exams are going to be performance based tests (PBT) or 'Hands on'. A candidate will have a series of tasks to be performed, a virtual server, and a time limit. The tasks are going to be based on the usual tasks performed by a Database Administrator. For instance, a candidate will get a list of user accounts that need to be added, updated, or deleted and will be graded on how well they meet the objectives.

I have already asked my fellow MySQL employees to review the tasks but I would like to have some input from the public. Following the Open Source dictum of the more eyeballs looking at a problem will provide better products, I would like to get some of you to look at the proposed tasks and give me your comments.

In the past there have been complaints on questions being too syntax specific, too picky, and asking for too obscure knowledge. This is a chance to help make sure that the exam covers the scope of the DBA jobs.

You will get a chance to review the proposed tasks and evaluate them. What I need is to find out if the task is something that a very good DBA would be able to do as part of their regular duties. You will get a few days to look at the tasks and get your feedback to me.

So if you have some spare time and want to help develop the next generation of MySQL DBA exams, please send an email with the Subject of 'VOLDBA' (yup, uppercase to catch a filter) to dstokes AT mysql.com.




So are the 5.0 exams going away? Not anytime soon. The lead time for the new exams, with new technology, and new questions is going to be pretty long. Last month the numbers of test takers was up 33% over the previous month.

And I keep getting emails from hiring managers and recruiters looking for Certified MySQL professionals. MySQL is getting more popular everyday and their is a vacuum in the talent pool. Heck, look at the MySQL Job Forum at some of the interesting positions out there.

I used to work for an online recruiting company and can go into very boring detail on how recruiters looks for keywords. Even a top notch technical recruiter may not know Ajax from Ruby but they will catch the words certified or certification.

So hit the Certification Study guides, get that Cert, and find that dream job!

2 comments:

Parcheesi said...

I will have to say, it is exciting to think about working for MySQL OR even working with MySQL everyday. Thanks for having such a great blog giving all of us non-certies hope!

My first exam is on July 21!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the uptick in people taking exams was because of layoffs more than any other factor. That was the case for me and the CMDEV (pass, btw).