How to find entry-level?

[swati j]

This is regarding what Peter Lyons answered to one topic regarding state of job market in US.
I am Bachelor of CS but have no industrial experience(I was teaching for 4 years). I came to US few months back & now I am in CA.I am learning Java now but at home. I may take SCJP next month ( is it really worth?).Do I need to get some training in ? If yes , from where & in what? Would you please suggest? I really want to do something. I am ready for any starting-level job. Where exactly should I find for such entry-level jobs? I will be very thankful to you Paul(or anyone) if you could give any suggestions to me.
My e-mail id is
[e-mail]
Thanks.

[John Coxey]

Swati:
Since you taught for 4 years - here is another suggestion. You may want to become a corporate instructor in the subjects that you already know about. You teaching experience will count more than you realize.
While teaching, get your company to pay for any Java training you might desire/need. Then get your certification. Then start teaching Java classes.
I had an opportunity like this come up in Philadelphia during the interview process. The company provided in-house training for subjects you wanted to expand into (ie: XML, EJB, Java, etc.). The idea was to teach 50% of the time and consult 50% of the time. The consulting projects were to be with the companies that you were teaching at.
-----
Since you have no prior Java experience. I would recommend going the above route for now.
If you still want to go the Java route, getting your foot in the door is going to be the tough part. Here is where the SJCP is going to help you alot. You already have the computer background (BS - Comp. Sci. plus 4 yrs in the industry - again, do not underestimate the value of your teaching experience).
See my other post (Success Stories) with regards to projects.
Since you already have the BS-Comp Sci, I would recommend hitting the job market right after the SJCP - even if you don't have any completed projects. The market is so hot right now, that I doubt actual Java projects would even come up. You could just mention the projects that you did for VB, C++.
-----

To buy yourself some time, I would say forgo Java at the time being, and become a corporate instructor. Then while you are teaching - move into the Java world. Since Java is such a hot field right now - once you mention to your employer that you want to pursue Java - they will be willing to pick up the tab for your tuition/etc.
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[John Coxey]

Swati:
Also saw in your post: "Is SJCP worth it?"
In your case, absolutely. You already have the BS-Comp Sci degree, plus 4 yrs teaching experience. The SJCP will validate your knowledge/desire to move into the Java field. The BS-CS degree vaidates your desire to be in the Comp. Sci. field.
I would say the combination of BS-CS and SJCP (or is is SCJP),
will open quite a few doors for you.
Do not underestimate the value of your teaching experience. It counts - and anyone who tells you otherwise - well, they can just "shove it" (American expression here).
Do not be surprised if you get phone calls for corporate training positions.
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[swati j]

John,
I am very thankful to you.
The thing is that whenever I talk(informally) to somebody regarding jobs, he/she asks about IT experience. And that has made me so upset that I started to underestimate what I was doing! ( And that was pretty good!)
I will look for something like corporate instructor.I have taught VB,C++.And I can teach JAVA lang. too. So let's see. Thanks again and I will keep on writing here.

[maha anna]

Swathi,
What John says is true. I experienced in my job search. Some people asked me if I am interested in teaching Java (instructor). They even asked me to refer some of my friends , if they are interested i Raleigh area.
regds
maha anna

[swati j]

Hello Maha Anna,
I am interested in doing such job initially.But I am in CA ,in Sanfrancisco.So if you can suggest something out here, let me know.
Bye and thanks again.

[maha anna]

Yes. I do that .
regds
maha anna