Career Change

[IronRocket]

I've been around this subject before and posted a different question or two, but I think I know where I'm headed now and have set some realistic goals.

I am a supervisor in a data center and my job is going away in about a year. Good news...I have time. Another piece of good news - I have a realistic goal. Try to get a database reporting job.

My background besides mainframe operations is writing queries in SQL (against a DB2 database (I did this at my previous job)). I've also done some database reporting w/ Crystal Reports at my current job, though this isn't my main responsibility. I may do this 5% of the time.

Here is my question. How do I present this on my resume showing that I'm really in mainframe operations but I want to switch over to database reporting, preferably in Crystal Reports?

One more thing...I am studying my butt off with Crystal Reports 10 in my free time. I'm also going over SQL querying against an Access database, and I am going to take an online class of Data Modeling. So I really want to get into this but not quite sure how to prove to an employer that I am ready to do the job. Any suggestions?

 

[mrdenny]

I would recomend putting problems that you have identified and been able to resolve via the reports that you have developed, or ways that productivity has been able to be improved via these reports.

I write my resume a little different than many people. Instead of simply writting out what I do, I docuemtnt the products that I've gone through and what these projects have meant to my department and the company.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[Welshbird]

I would get yourself a copy of Oracle or MS SQL (free for training I believe) and get playing with those.

I ended up doing some work for a local charity and a local school - both needed some data reporting but couldn't afford to pay someone. I got to add to my experience and they got the work done for nothing. I'd thoroughly recommend that approach.

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[aarenot]

Another option is to bill the non-profit for your work, then donate the amount they pay you. In the USA it gives you the charitable contribution documentation so you can use it to your tax advantage. Schools, and churches have some experience with this approach I am sure.

 

[acewarlock]

You cn also use them as a Reference.




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[aarenot]

Well, if they pay you, even if you make a contribution for the exact same amount, that makes them a customer which gives you experience, and reference. Most non-profits will give references, and I have found they will use their influence to give you work amongst those that value their non-profit work.

 

[mrdenny]

MS SQL is ~$50 US to purcahse the developer edition. There is a free version (SQL Server Express edition) but it is limited in what it comes with.

The developer edition is basically the Enterprise Edition but you can't use it in production.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog