Help ! ! ! !

[MI Mohammed]

Hi guys am back after the SCJP bashing
break. Pls am actually confused about my future
carrier in java. I don't work in an IT or related
firm. In fact i worked with the Nigerian navy.
Nothing like IT and don't think they will start
in the nearest future.
Right now, am fed up with the job. As it doesn't give
me the right challenges i want in life. In 2000, i decided
to develope myself i computer related field and that was
the first time i came across java. Actually went as far as
developing simple GUI and JDBC with MS SQL7.0.
Almost took the cert exams, but just after then 1.4 came out.
And my job as usual moved me from places to places.
Which led to loosing touch with java.
But this i decided to squize myself out for the cert exam.
Which I eventually passed last month.
Right now am thinking of quitting the navy, but my fear is
how is my future as a certified java programmer going to help me.
Am considering going for SCJD and SCWCD.
Pls which should i hit first. AS i have started preparing for the two.
pending advice from my ranch family.
Sorry, for this long msg but it shows how important
i need you advice.

Thanks
SCJP 1.4

[Rafael Pereira]

This is really a question that depends on your objectives.
If you want to work in your contry, you must seek advice from people that know how the IT is there...

But if you want to work in another country (like USA or Europe), it's a good idea to learn its language, and the most used technologies (java, microsoft, oracle).

I'm from Brazil, there are a lot of competition here, certifications are one of the ways to boost our career.

[Paul Bourdeaux]

Choosing between SCJD and SCWCD can also depend on how much time you have to devote to the certification.

The SCJD is very time consuming, as you develop a small but plausible application according to the specs supplied by Sun. Although the Sun site says that the SCJD should only take 20-40 hours... I have only heard of a couple people who were able to complete it in that amount of time. Check out the SCJD forum and you will see that most people spend 100+ hours on the assignment.

Good luck with whatever you decide.