So, it seems like I am falling off the wagon here a bit. The last few weeks (since the OJUG meeting) have been very odd. I am currently trying to accomplish the following in the evenings:
- Prepare for next round of classes. I’m trying to finish up my Bachelors in MIS at Bellevue University. I took the accelerated degree program, and now have a total of 24 credits left to go. Nine of those are for the “Kirkpatrick Signature Series”, a block of liberal arts classes that are required for all students. The other 15 I plan to CLEP out of.
- Study for CLEP/DANTES tests Yuck.
- Study for / Work on Java Certifications I am a Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP), and my boss has “asked” me to get the Sun Certified Web Component Developer and Sun Certified Java Developer certifications, as well as upgrade my SCJP cert to 1.4 or 1.5.
- JKeyManager I am not getting anywhere. After the first burst of energy, I have now barely looked at the code in the last two weeks. I have a quite a few things to do, as detailed in the last post. I really want to get this released before I start class in a couple weeks, but that doesn’t look likely right now.
… Along with trying to have a meaningful life with my wife and kids. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. But, one thing at a time and I’ll get through it, right?
Sorry for the rant
- Matt
MikeH | 11-Mar-05 at 10:56 am | Permalink
It’s interesting that your boss likes you to have certifications, since the Java wizards I work with have no certifications at all. And I have none either.
Certifications are good things, but should never replace actual experience.
Jeff W | 24-Mar-05 at 4:45 am | Permalink
A few years back, I knew a guy who certified Java and had never written a lick of Java code. He worked (for a short time) for Connections2000 (now Linoma Software) and at least one client trashed him because he didn’t know what he was doing. I’m pressured by my employer to also certify. So far my impression is that one significant goal of the certification is to force you to learn/memorize ideosynracies the compiler catches for you anyway. So, I agree. It may look good on a resume, especially if you have no experience, but it is no substitute for 2-3 years of Java programming.