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Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

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Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#111

Post by twunde »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #105
gemstones wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would vote in anyone who recognizes what a giant problem it is that the first suggestion for someone who only wants to write SQL for one specific database is our federal government. I do not want the government to be the landing place for people who just want to coast. We could make a rubber-room department if we really need it, just pay this woman to make SQL reports on nothing to nobody if just getting her a sala…

You're entitled to an opinion, but consider reading the room that this particular opinion has no value in this thread. What you want is immaterial to OP seeking a role for his loved one that isn't a grind. If you’re not helping, what was the point in writing this comment? More empathy please.

On a different note, you're probably understanding the value of a good sql programmer, especially outside of pure tech companies. I've seen one provide more value than a team of programmers, and unlike many codebases it's rare that you need to do a complete rewrite 5-10 years later.

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#113

Post by ludjer »

eddythompson80 wrote: post #28
rastignack wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oracle DB is really less and less popular. Oracle DBAs are worried. They know they are like COBOL devs.

It may be less popular for new projects, but every single project/product/service that's using Oracle DB is gonna continue to use, and hire, Oracle DBA for the foreseeable future. Sure, if you're learning SQL or a technology to market yourself, Oracle DB might not be the best time investment. However, if you're already an expert in that, you shouldn't have trouble finding a role somewhere.

Lol my company is paying a fortune to get off oracle. Anyone that does not need the million features that come with a oracle will eventually move off it. It's way too expensive to use in smaller environments or non mainframe environment's. Oracle has some of the worst pricing and sales techniques.

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#114

Post by fuzztester »

Redgate Software may fit?

https://www.red-gate.com/

https://www.red-gate.com/our-company/

https://www.red-gate.com/products/

I've known about them for some years. No affiliation, but I check them out now and then out of interest.

Earlier they may have been only for MS SQL Server, but now, on a quick look, seem to have Oracle related products too.

Earlier

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#115

Post by cafard »

CoastalCoder wrote: post #54
jmye wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference would be irrelevant, based on OP’s description. She ought to be able to plug into literally any SQL dialect if she’s doing junior/mid-level analyst work.

I'm not sure that's correct. AFAIK, having deep Oracle knowledge is very valuable to the right employer, but not so much for non-Oracle shops. From my experience ~20 years ago, Oracle and SQL Server were very different beasts. IIRC, once you get past trivial querying and into storage design, query optimization, etc., they're very different beasts. And Oracle in particular is it's own, huge world at that level. (Again…

My own impression is that she who can write PL/SQL can write T-SQL. My own background is largely in Oracle, but I've dealt with SQL Server a fair bit.

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#116

Post by toomuchtodo »

twunde wrote: post #111
toomuchtodo wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're entitled to an opinion, but consider reading the room that this particular opinion has no value in this thread. What you want is immaterial to OP seeking a role for his loved one that isn't a grind. If you’re not helping, what was the point in writing this comment? More empathy please.

On a different note, you're probably understanding the value of a good sql programmer, especially outside of pure tech companies. I've seen one provide more value than a team of programmers, and unlike many codebases it's rare that you need to do a complete rewrite 5-10 years later.

Indeed, just because you’re not willing to grind doesn’t mean you don’t have value, or have less value. Value discovery requires experience and wisdom. Great comment.

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#117

Post by pmarreck »

svnt wrote: post #108
pmarreck wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just sad because so many people accept this kind of mediocrity as the norm, when I absolutely believe it doesn't have to be. If you actually enjoy your job, the technology space, and your coworkers (all achievable in theory), then no matter how old you were, those other asks would be givens. And in addition, you'd be 100% likely to be more successful and have some pull when you need some emergency (or necessary)…

Maybe her primary motivator was taking care of her child? Not everyone wants to occupy more of their mind with work than is required, and society benefits from this in all kinds of ways.

This answer resonated with me because as the father of a 2.4 year old son, I've been forced to consider something like a downshift simply because these kids are incredibly difficult soul sucking energy vampires. Fortunately I work with a bunch of dads with older kids who completely understand this phase but are probably banking on my ability as soon as I can claw my way back from the stranglehold that this kid has on my "true" productivity

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#118

Post by giantg2 »

It sounds like she had a cushy job and now needs to look for a regular one. The interviews seem to all be like you mentioned. The job expectations or tasks you listed are all just normal expectations for a dev these days. Companies are increasingly forcing additonal roles and scope into a single position to save headcount.

I feel similarly. I have over 10 years in as a dev and the expectations or scope has drastically increased in that time at my company (been the same level for about 9 years now). I also specialized in dead-end tech (Neoxam and FileNet) so I'm not great at a lot of things. I narrowly avoided being sent over to a sourcing company just by lucky timing on switching teams. I have no motivation to find another job due to the shitty interview processes, my lack of expertise in relevant tech, my stressful home situation, and the fact that other companies pretty much all do the same bullshit.

I figure this is just life and I get to deal with it until I die (increasingly skeptical of retirement being a thing).

Re: Ask HN: How can my mom downshift as a SQL developer?

#120

Post by sparnaay »

I just got a job through hired.com. It’s nice because your mom can post her resume and add a statement detailing what she’s looking for. Companies can then request an interview with her. There are similar sites such as ziprecruiter.com. Also, I’ve found that generative AI makes it much easier to learn new technologies. I would encourage her to use them. Hopefully she can retire before they put us all out of work.
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