Re: Java certification: is it worthwhile?

[Benjamin Sabrin <bsabrin@pencom.com>]

My take on certifications is as such:

I would rather have some with more practical work experience than a
stamp of approval from Sun that says that they know what they are
doing.  Mostly because you can study to pass a test knowing the how the
test is given.  There are ample books out there preparing you for the
Java certifications.  However, there are a few exceptions, the Java 2
certified architect exam is not easy and requires more in depth
knowledge.  There are few books that will help you pass this test.

As a recruiter, I have never had a client tell me that they only want to
hire people who are certified.  Rather most clients look for a lot more
these days than merely technical aptitude.

If you are new to the programming world, less than 3 years of experience
or coming from a different programming discipline (COBOL, VB,
Powerbuilder) than I would suggest certification.  If you have 10 years
of OO development experience, with 4 in Java and you are not certified,
don't waste your time and money IMOP.

Ben

Chris.Graham@alltel.com wrote:

> Camerin
>
> From: James Picklesimer <ilogicdot@yahoo.com> on 11/02/2001 02:46 PM
>
> To:   Chris Graham/ATL/ALLTELCORP@ALLTEL, ajug-members@ajug.org
> cc:
>
> Subject:  RE: Java certification: is it worthwhile?
>
> Which John?
>
> --- Chris.Graham@alltel.com wrote:
> >
> >
> > I agree with John.  It seems like half the people I
> > work with are "Cut & Paste"
> > coders, and the ones that aren't all have one thing
> > in common; their Java
> > certifications (or are preparing to take the exam).
> > I think of certification
> > exams
> > like extras on a car (Warning!!! Pathetic attempt at
> > an analogy ahead); A nice
> > stereo and shinny wheels aren't going to make you
> > buy the car, but your probably
> > willing to pay a bit more if you do decide to buy
> > it.
> >
> > --Chris
> >
> >
> >
> > From: John Camerin <jcamerin@getthere.com> on
> > 11/02/2001 01:33 PM
> >
> > To:   "John D. Mitchell"
> > <johnm-advanced-java@non.net>, "Huang, Xueqin"
> >       <Xueqin.Huang@acs-inc.com>
> > cc:   ajug-members@ajug.org
> >
> > Subject:  RE: Java certification: is it worthwhile?
> >
> > I disagree... in this world of lousy, buggy code,
> > its nice to know not only
> > that people can write the code, but that they
> > understand some of the
> > fundamentals of writing good code.  There is some
> > value to be gained in
> > these certifications, but I do agree that you should
> > not expect to be
> > qualified for a job just because you are certified.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: John D. Mitchell
> > [mailto:johnm-advanced-java@non.net]
> > Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 1:07 PM
> > To: Huang, Xueqin
> > Cc: ajug-members@ajug.org
> > Subject: RE: Java certification: is it worthwhile?
> >
> >
> > >>>>> "Huang," == Huang, Xueqin
> > <Xueqin.Huang@acs-inc.com> writes:
> > > I'm going to get a Sun java architect certificate.
> > Does any one know a
> > > good source of getting a study guide on this, any
> > books or papaers or
> > > websites?  Thanks!
> >
> > Check out:
> >
> >      http://www.jguru.com/faq/JavaCertification
> >
> >
> > FWIW, I think certification and "licensing" is Pure
> > Evil(tm).  In hiring
> > people, I could care less (and, if anything, if the
> > candidate makes some
> > big deal that they passed a such a test, that's a
> > negative).  It's just yet
> > another attempt to try to segregate folks based on
> > worthless, irrelevant
> > criteria.  IMNSHO, it's much more impressive to show
> > projects and code that
> > you have created (and that people use),
> > articles/books that you've written,
> > etc.
> >
> > Take care,
> >      John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Find a job, post your resume.
> http://careers.yahoo.com
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