Oracle Class Of June 1988, BOOTCAMP!

Twenty years ago today, June 13, 1988, I began my professional career with Oracle Corporation.  I arrived on Sunday, June 12, just in time for an earthquake during a reception party for my fellow college graduates.  The most impressive thing about meeting folks were their credentials:  graduates from Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Carnegie-Mellon were most represented and a few folks, such as myself, from little old Purdue. 

Sunday night before class, I became violently ill from food poisening.  With almost no sleep, I can recall former Oracle CFO, Jeffrey Walker, telling the class that “…at Oracle, we set the bar high.”  I never thought I’d make it through bootcamp. 

Over the next three weeks, we learned Oracle’s products, sales skills, consulting skills, and a variety of other “soft” skills training.  But mostly, we learned the Oracle Way.  Of course, meeting Larry Ellison during evening events was very special.  I often thought I might take over for him.  After all, I’m much younger than Larry!

I’m very proud of the time I spent at Oracle, I met a lot of very good friends who I continue relationships with today.  Indeed it was a terrific institution to begin one’s career.  Upon graduation from bootcamp, everyone received Howard Miller quartz alarm clock, which works to this day.  Enjoy!