Is SCJD Certification necessary?

[jerrying]

Dear folks.
I am a java programmer, have about 1.5 years work experience with Java. I just take the SCJP exams and get a 98 score. It seems that SCJP is worthy because even I have used java for 1.5 years, I am not familiar with all aspects of Java. And it is SCJP who helps me to have a systematical and more comprehensive understanding about java. When preparing for this exam, I studied many books such as "Thinking in Java", SL275/SL276, Complete Java 2 Certification Guide etc. I really learn a lot from this exam.I wonder is it worthy for me to take the SCJD exam. I found that there is little content in SL285 and many of them are familiar to me. I think it is better to take the IBM exam "Object Oriented Analysis and Design with UML". But I don't know how people outside in the America or anywhere else( I am in P.R.China) look on this. Can you give me some opinion. Thanks a lot in advance.

[vin miller]

I passed the SCJD in early March. It was an enjoyable experience - much more so than SCJP. I also learned a lot from it. However, I don't think it is helping my job search much.

[Michael Deng]

I do not think SCJD is necessay for you.
I arrived Montreal from Beijing three months ago, now, I work for a telecom company. Job is very hard to get in Canada, I have several friends who are SCJP and SCJD in Toronto, but all of them are jobless. Believe me, their SCJD/SCJP are the real one-- do not depend on braindump.
You can see, very few developers in Canada know the difference between SCJP and SCJD. For team leaders in Canada, I do not think they know what is SCJP.
If you want to come Canada in the coming future, try to get some hand on project experiences on Weblogic and EJB.

[Aleksey Matiychenko]

Honestly I don't think any certification is ever necessary in our field. I , however, have SCJP and now finishing my SCJD.
I have about 4 years experience and live in NYC(lots of jobs here). I have not had any problem with job search and declined several good job offers before.
THe reasons I am pursuing the certification are
1. to learn better programming practices
2. get some sence of achievement
3. maybe increase my leverage with my boss
4. get some official recognition for my achievment
5. And oh yeah. Get a nice logo on my resume.
I don't think anyone should count on any certification to get a job. Nothing substitutes either brains or experience/

[Rudy Yeung]

IMO, SCJP and SCJD are not the key factors in helping you get a job. The essence still lies on the CS degree and the real job experience. Having SCJP and SCJD are just the extra bonus that you can add on your resume, which means you have a higher chance in getting an interview than without those bonus.