next steps?

[Elizabeth Lester]

Hi,
I am at a bit of a crossroads at the moment. I recently earned my SCJP, and I'm wondering what my next move should be. I am wanting to change jobs to one that will have me actively using Java, but I realize that the market is extremely bad right now and that might take awhile to occur, so I am trying to figure out what course of study I should pursue meanwhile.
I am considering UML and/or SCJD, and also considering starting on a graduate-level software engineering track. Anyone in a similar position or have any advice?
It would not be that easy for me to immediately take the SCJD because I have had (and continue to have) no Java work experience. While I try to study a lot on my own, at times it's difficult to completely make up for experience on the job.
I have been programming for a relatively short time (3+ years with Vignette StoryServer), and I do not have a computer science background, although I pick things up really quickly and I have access to whatever software/hardware I need right now at work (bonus). (In other words, even though I do not have Java projects here at work, there is nothing hindering me from creating one for myself.)
Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!
--liz
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Elizabeth Lester
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform

[Dave Vick]

Elizabeth
Really good question, I found myself in the same position. I finally decided to go for the SCWCD, I do alot of web based stuff here at work now, mostly using ASP but hope that once I know JSP and servletts better maybe I can do some projects in those too. Got to wait and see.
I'm also thinking of the JCert track too just because the company I work at might be moving to Oracle and I might be able to get some free training out of it
For right now though, I'm still going to school for my CIS degree and reading my Servlets book when I have time.
Let me know what you decide...
Dave

[Elizabeth Lester]

Dave,
Thanks for your reply. I have just spent the last while looking over the SCWCD forum, and I think I may have to jump in. It took me longer than I expected to finish my SCJP, and I (obviously) was not keeping up with the latest! I was not even considering SCWCD as an option (silly me). It sounds like the logical next step for me too, since I have been doing web development for years, and while none of it has been Java, I am familiar with JSP and Servlets from some of my Java studies in the last year.
I'm going to do some more research, but I expect I will see you over there
Thanks,
Liz
[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Lester (edited October 18, 2001).]

[Dave Vick]

I look forward to it
Dave