The amount of events you have to attend vary. I think the offical line is at least 1 Oracle and 1 non-Oracle, but most ACEs do much more. I’m currently in the middle of a few months of conferences.

Yes. You lose a lot of pay, but it’s fun.

Cheers

Tim…

Cograts a lot Tim..
Even if they take care of travel and accomodation, it seems to me huge commitment in terms of time and effort.

And If your a individual consultant like me then you have to attend the conferences at the loss of pay.

How many days per year you would have to work towards this?

–Prasanna

As an ACE I already get a free conference pass for Open World. Oracle have also picked up the tab for flights and accommodation, so that’s the biggest financial commitment take care of. The rest is just time, and I already spend that doing geeky stuff.

Doug: Regarding “stay honest”

I think my one major failing in life is I never worry about biting the hand that feeds me. It quite often gets me into trouble. I don’t think a crown on a logo will alter that.

Cheers

Tim…

“All the time comes out of my holidays and all the expenses come out of my pocket. ”

You’re right to give this serious consideration. Once you put together lost wages or fees, accommodation and flights, it doesn’t take long before this becomes a serious financial commitment. I wonder sometimes whether people who attend presentations whilst being on company wages and expenses really appreciate that. That’s why I tend to do it in waves, generally. I get into it for a year or two (because I enjoy it) and then think ‘Gulp! How much is this costing me!’ But I always go back to it in the end.

So, congrats and all that, but you’re wise to consider the financial implications. On the other hand, as Peter K points out, if Oracle take care of the financial burden … “… folks will say that the ACEs have to say that because Oracle is paying them to say so.”

But you were expecting me to keep droning on about that, right?

In the end – do what’s right for you, stay honest (as if you could be anything but!) and I for one will support you all the way.

I’d say, go for it, and look for a job in a software or support house, maybe in the bioinformatics arena given your education. Have you put down deep roots where you live? That’s been my major consideration since I’ve had kids (well, really the wife’s consideration).

Getting paid for doing what you do on your own anyways hardly seems like working.

If your still looking for a job email me! we need a Oracle DBA and considering I refer to your site alot it would make so much easier!!!!

Moving to next level

Sidhu