Studying for 2 qualifications at once

[aj woodier]

In your opinion do you think it is possible to study for the SCWCD exam and the SCBCD exam at the same time?
I have just passed the SCJP which took a little longer to learn than expected.

[Ashish Chande]

Hi,

I think its possible to study for both the exams.. My colleague gave both the exams and got good scores..


Regards
Ashish

[Hentay Duke]

How many certifications do you need? Sure it's possible to study for both at one time, can "you" do it? Only you can answer that, and only you can answer why you'd want to. Ask yourself how long it will take to study and get the certifications, would that time be better spent finding a position that gave you actual on the job experience?

[aj woodier]

Hentay Duke

Nice responce!!!

Due to no experience in the industry I thought "the more certifications the better" for trying to get my first position in the industry. Thinking about it now though rather than burning myself out studying it would probably be better to spend that time searching and praying for some work!!!

Thanks for the advice.

[Hentay Duke]

aj,

I totally understand your thinking. I was in the graphic design industry for over a decade and in the spring of 2004 I quit my job to get my SCJP certification and move into programming. After about 3- 4 months I found a position and have now been doing J2ee work for about a year. I only relay this information to let you know that it can be done without multiple certifications. I originally was going to get my Oracle certification after I finished my scjp but didn't bother once I was hired as a programmer. After doing it for a year I can't believe how much I've learned (and still need to learn by the way), but I don't think I'd have learnt as much just studying on my own. I also think if you took a poll of people in a position to hire you, most all would say the experience outways the certs.

Your SCJP should be enough to at least get you an interview somewhere, after that it's up to you. Contact every placement type company you can find, eventually someone will give you an interview. And in the meantime there's no reason you can't study for another certification at the same time.

Just giving my opinion. And sorry for the essay!

[Karen Baog]

How important is SCJP certification if someone formally learns Java programming from a prestigious University?

I am studying Java programming and good software design at University. As far as employers go, is it still necessary to go for the certification when one has a degree?

Karen

[Pat Peg]

Karen,

A buddy of mine has both (I am still studying for the cert) He has told me that before he got his cert that he would sometimes get technical questions in an interview (only sometimes because oddly enough it seems that the people who interview you aren't technically knowledgable) After the cert he said he rarely if ever got asked anything about his ability to program.
Bottom line, I think the degree will carry you further in the long run but if you can get a cert while in school go for it-it can only help

[Pat Peg]

edit note-by both I mean certified and graduated from a great tech college

[Hentay Duke]

How important is SCJP certification if someone formally learns Java programming from a prestigious University?

I am studying Java programming and good software design at University. As far as employers go, is it still necessary to go for the certification when one has a degree?

Well first off experience outways both a cert and degree in my opinion.

But to answer your question, it might depend on your degree. I took a java course at the local community college (granted it's not the "prestigious University") but it was a joke. So just taking a/some java courses in college I don't think says a lot. Now if you have a good computer science degree to go with it an employer may think "well this person will have enough knowledge that even if they are new to java they'll be able to pick it".

Even the SCJP cert doesn't do much to make you a good programmer. What it does do in my opinion is let someone know that you've put in the time and effort to complete it and has a pretty goog grasp of the basics of the language.

Don't know if any of this helps, and it's certainly just an opinion of someone who is nowhere near an expert on such things.

[Karen Baog]

I shouldn't have used the word "prestigious" but rather a "not a diploma milling" University.

I know some people who did not excel well during their Uni life, but do in their job.

Here's a question for those involved in hiring, especially those who conduct interviews:

When you interview new graduates, do you throw technical questions at them? If so, how do you evaluate your question so that the level is appropriate to their knowledge? Do you prepare first or just blab out questions that happens to float in your mind at that instant?
We always have this discussion at the Dorm that we prefer to have "mature" interviewers. No offense, but there are "young" interviewers who throw "hard" questions, that maybe they want to prove to the colleagues how "good" they are.

I just hope that when my time comes (to go for an interview) I don't get into this situation.

[Barry Gaunt]

Note that SCJP is a prerequisite for the other certifications (except SCJA and the SCEA).