Should I go forCertification exams ?

[kklakkam]

Hi Vasu,

I am graduating in december. Can u plz suggest me when to start my OPT.

I am interested in Java/J2EE and XML areas. Should I go for any certification exams. How helpful certifications would be in getting a job as anyway I would put 5-6 yrs of experience in my resume.

Thanks,
Kranthi

Post edited by: madhu, at: 2004/07/31 00:06

[Vasu]

Hi Kranthi,

Start your OPT date from Jan 1st 2005 onwards.
You can file your H1 in the next year.

Do you know Java and J2EE ?
Or
Are you planning to learn those?

When coming to certifications, it is good if you clear Sun certified Java programmer and Sun certified Web component developer exams.

But even if you dont have certifications, you will get the job.

[kklakkam]

Hi Vasu,

Thanks a lot for ur reply...

I know basic Java and learning XML (taken a course). I will learn Advanced Java and J2EE by december. I am good at programming so I am confident that I will be able to do. I am interested in going for Java only and not .Net though i have done a couple of projects in .Net.

Please let me know if u have any suggestions reg prepartion for Java/J2EE.

I will also get in touch with u reg consultancies for placements in Java/J2EE and XML when time comes.

Currently I am in Houston.

Thanks once again....

regards and take care
Kranthi

[Vasu]

Kranthi,

Sorry for replying late.
When coming to Java/J2EE preparation, concentrate more on JSP, Struts, EJB and Design Patters.

As you are good in Basic Java and XML, learn the following in the order:

JDBC
Servlets
JSP
EJB
JMS

Struts
Design Patterns
UML

Oracle

WebSphere/WSAD

I will prepare you in all the above topics on weekends ok

[kklakkam]

Hi Vasu,

thanks a lot for ur reply,
i will surely follow ur suggestions...

thanks once again

regards
Kranthi

Since you officially have 60 days from the date of completion of your study (Masters) to change your status or leave the country and assuming that the fall semester closes on December 20th, and if you want to work immediately, Apply in October/November of 2004. Also, my personal experience in getting an OPT is that regardless of which starting date you want the OPT from, the INS officer will use the date which is 2 weeks from the approval date. The approval date could be 1 week, 2 weeks or more from the date of application.

Make sure that you send the OPT application through Certified Registered Mail with Signature Confirmation! And don\'t lose this card untill you get your OPT. If you intend to move to another location before you get your OPT card, then make sure you authorize someone to collect the card at your address. Sometimes, they don\'t forward the mail to your new location even though you would have given change of address!

Good luck with J2EE.. I chose J2EE and after 1 year, I don\'t regret choosing it at all! Its a very powerful technology which will be the technology of the future! It is very hard at first. But persist and you will soon be ruling the land with Vasu and Me under you :lol:

[kklakkam]

I am planning to apply for OPT in October last week. I will be done with my coursework on December 10th.

Is it very difficult to get a Java Developer job without help of a consultancy for a fresher like me.

[Vasu]

Lakkam,

To get entry level job, you need so much luck.
And also you need to make so many trials for few months.
If you get the job with in time, that will be good.

Suppose if you didnot get the job means, then you will be in tension, and lose confidence.

Difference between Entry level job and getting the job thru consultancy company :-
I can guarantee that you will get a job in one month(one you got prepared all stuff) if you go thru consultancy, but for entry level jobs i cant. Becoz we dont know whether we are luckiest amont few or not.

So i can say it is not difficult to get a entry level job but you need luck for your hardwork..