I would say yes -- it may not be a requirement for a company that you have your cert -- but if you do, it might set you apart from other applicants. It'll show that you're proficient in the subject, and that you've taken the time to prove it.
Trust me, I understand that money is tight during/after college -- but its all about resume building... if you can add something that will get your resume to stick out a bit -- why not?
I used the Khalid / Rasmussen book:
a programmer's guide to java certification the link here is for bookpool.com -- cheapest I can find it available (34.95). It's an excellen book -- and as you'll see from my previous posts and those from others -- even though its a SCPJ 1.2 book -- you can still use it for the 1.4 test (its an excellent book) just skip the chunks for AWT / IO and find another source for the info on assertions.
Check the
bunkhouse for reviews on other Certification books -- or just other java books period.
[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: Jessica Sant ]