Getting ready to go back to work after illness... need suggestions

[Marcus Laubli]

About 3 1/2 years ago I was bitten by an insect while at work, causing encephalitis. Due to this, I lost 40% of my cognitive and memory functionality. I have come a long way since 6/11/01.

Since then, the world around me changed drastically too.

I am a dual national, Swiss / American, speak 3 languages, program 6, and have several years experience in various real life business disciplines. I have an MBA in Information Systems and Organization Leadership & Management. I also ran very successful family business for several years while abroad.

I worked as a contractor for 6 different Government Agencies in Washington DC. At my last position (we assume I was actually bitten by the insect inside the DC Jail where I worked), my title was Senior Software architect. I acted as team lead for a group of 6 developers and a couple of administrators. At that time, I was a Certified Lotus Professional (Developer), doing mainly Lotus Notes and Domino work.

As I considered my options for re-entry, I discovered that Lotus Notes development work has basically vanished. I am currently studying for my Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) and Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD) exams. I've taken Sun's JB-341 bootcamp course and am preparing to take the SCJP exam within a couple of weeks.

I'm telling you this because what I'm looking for is very different from my past experience. What I say is sincere, and I'm very willing to take advice, in fact, I'm asking for it!

I'd like an entry level Java Programmer postilion where I can build on the new knowledge that I've acquired. I would like to become part of a team of Java Programmers that are all better and more experienced than I am so that I can grow in both knowledge and responsibilities. As my knowledge and responsibilities grow, the contribution of my past experience will become more important to the team.

I am an honest, creative, often humerous, mature, business oriented programmer that values integrity and fairness.

I also know that displacing H1(b) visa holders in the US with Americans is something that the US Government is both interested in, and actively pursuing. From what I understand, Washington has a very nice tax incentive program which helps American companies pay for Americans to gain skills to relieve H1(b) visa holders of their responsibilities here in the US. I am that type of candidate.

How and where do I start looking for a job? I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona.

Marcus L�ubli

[Mike Gershman]

I also know that displacing H1(b) visa holders in the US with Americans is something that the US Government is both interested in, and actively pursuing. From what I understand, Washington has a very nice tax incentive program which helps American companies pay for Americans to gain skills to relieve H1(b) visa holders of their responsibilities here in the US.

I am very interested in this bit of news. Do you have a link or other reference? Where did you hear about this?
[ January 12, 2005: Message edited by: Mike Gershman ]

[Marcus Laubli]

I heard about it from a chap in Florida that offers Sun Certified classes. If we take this offline, I'll be glad to give you a name and number.

I know that other government workers and head hunters know about this too.

If I'm not mistaken, it's a direct tax credit for an amount if you hire and train or cross-train a US citizen to replace an H-1B visa holder.

I suggest you get in touch with your tax man about it. He'll have to find out details anyway!

Marcus

[Mike Gershman]

Marcus: Please check your private messages. Mike

[Jeroen Wenting]

Marcus, given your experience with Lotus Nots and your intend to work in Java you could do worse than look for work in the market of converting Lotus Nots applications to Java (usually J2EE).

Not sure if it's still booming but a while back it was big business as more and more companies decided to scrap their old Nots systems for nice and shiny Java backed web applications.