The Underscore Archives

Hello,

Up late working but no time like the present to ask questions :)

I'm not sure how many Java developers are on the list I have spoken to
a few in the past, but I was just wanting to ask for some advice on a
subject of employment and how easy it is to gain after completing a
series of java courses, I understand it's one of those how long is a
string questions but please stick with me on this.

The course I'm specifically studying are the java programmer (SCJP)
and web components developer (SCWCD) certifications, I'm hitting the
halfway point in this and really enjoying programming I have to admit
it was really tough to start but I've chucked a ton of effort at it
and a lot of late nights but it's starting to paying off and my
confidence is increasing everyday with the language.

Because the point I'm at with my studies I'm starting to looking
towards the future and want to be informed as what the state the
industry is in, how easy it is to get employment, what additional
skills will I require and where to look for jobs, I'm not asking for a
silver spoon but I have googled numerious times and failed to find
actual companies apart from consultant ad's for java jobs.

To help I have signed up to lots of job sites and get regular e-mails
these were useful when looking for work building sites with flash and
xhtml / css, but it seems pretty polarized with the types of jobs
listed mostly developers with a good couple of years experience behind
them who are ready to jump into the deepend, this is something which I
am under qualified to do at the this point in time, but I'm going to
work dam hard to get into that position.

The training company I'm with also has a recruitment department which
I'm going to contact in the near future, but because they are not an
impartial group of individuals its best to get other peoples advice
not to say the company is of dubious character, far from it, but a
chance of making a quick buck can sometimes bend a consultants
perspective and information is useful to detect these actions.

Anyhow time for some sleep.

many thanks


Stefan Burt