I am frustated, please help me..

[Paul Somnath]

Hi,
I am a fresher and just got a placement from my campus into a good company.
I am passionate about java and java development. Infact I wrote its exam purely because most of this company's work is in Java.
However after coming here, I have been allotted a TESTING division, where there is no work in Java.
I am really frustated. I want to work on Java but I cant leave my job as I would be facing too many problems.

Can anyone guide me as to what should I do. I tried talking to my manager but he said I have to stay in this division for atleast 1 year only after then would they evaluate my case.

Kindly help me what should I do. I have already started preparing for SCJP exam and would hopefully complete it by two months. Since I would have no work-ex on java, its very unlikely that companies would give me a start.
Where can I work on projects on java after my work hours at office so that I may get to show some work on my CV?

Please help me guys.
Any help would be very highly appreciated.
Thanks.

[arulk pillai]

Try to gain some hands on experience by contributing to open source projects. You can mention your contribution in your resume.

As was previously suggested by Mark,

--You can learn from and enhance your coding skills by looking at others� code.
-- You can get feedback from others on your code.
-- You can enhance your ability to understand problems and develop effective solutions for it.
-- You can proudly mention your contribution on your resume.

If you are still not convinced, go to http://seeker.dice.com/jobsearch and search for "open source".


Where do I look for open-source projects?

-- http://www.sourceforge.net/
-- http://dev.java.net/
-- http://jakarta.apache.org/
-- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/views/java/projects.jsp
-- http://www.google.co.in/search?q=Apache+Java+projects
-- https://www.dev.java.net/servlets/ProjectList
-- https://openjdk.dev.java.net/
-- http://developers.sun.com/javadb/
-- http://www.netbeans.org/
-- https://glassfish.dev.java.net/public/devindex.html
-- http://www.ohloh.net/
-- http://www.freshmeat.net/
-- http://code.google.com/

[Paul Somnath]

Should I prepare for other companies tests to get a job or should I contribute to open source project?

[Rogerio Kioshi]

I think you must try to send your resume to other companies, where you could work with Java programming. There are many companies which need software programmers, certainly you will find one that can satisfy your needs.

[Ulf Dittmer]

Passing the SCJP will not help you with proving to a prospective employer that you have practical Java experience (it's a theoretical exam). Haven't you done any Java programming in school, or on your own, that you could point to? If not, then there's little point in applying for Java jobs, IMO. Companies are looking for people that can do things, not for people who are willing to let themselves be trained to do something, and might be able to do it in the future.

[Billy Tsai]

you can always attend your resignation and see what they do

[Sunit Gupta]

After spending 1 yr in testing, it'll be difficult for you to move to java development so it's better that you either move out of your current job or take it up strongly with the HR.

If you really feel passionate about it, don't let it go easily, companies don't give a damn about what they promise and what a candidate gets. If the HR doesn't respond properly, tell them that you would inform your college that this company hasn't kept its promises and has played with your career.