What should be the next tech. after core Java

Hi all,
I am SCJP for java 1.2 , I did it almost 3 yrs back. Now i want to continue my interest in java again , primarily to fetch myself a good job. I would be really thankfull if you tell me what technologies should i learn, so that they wud help me stand out from the queue while campus recruitment. I am from India, delhi. I hav only 1yr more before my campus placement time wopuld start up.
Bye
Thanks all

You can always concentrate on latest technologies with good traction, example: Spring framework, Hibernate and improve your knowledge on xml processing. It will help in securing a good job.

There are many directions to head after mastering the core Java language (assuming you've truly mastered the fundamentals of objects vs. merely learning the language syntax; if you haven't, then I'd recommend some remedial OO studies for starters). For example:

1. You could learn more about Java 2 Enterprise Edition technologies, used to build enterprise-level applications (often web-hosted);

2. You could learn more about the JDBC API and connecting to ODBC databases;

3. You could master using XML with Java.

Take time to explore where the biggest demand is professionally, then go for it!

Best wishes,

Jacquie

Or you could learn about more general development practices, such as Refactoring or Test Driven Development.

Another interesting area also would be J2ME. I reckon this will be the next thing! There are many interesting areas that you could explore. And my personal opinion is that you don't have to MASTER core java beforehand as you could still improve that while advancing your knowledge with more advanced technologies.

You could look into:
- Web Application Development, i.e. Struts, JSP, JSF, servlets ...etc
- Enterprise Java Beans
- XML related technologies like Web Services and JAX-RPC
- J2ME related technologies and APIs including Blue Tooth programming

Good Luck

Originally posted by M Jay:
Another interesting area also would be J2ME. I reckon this will be the next thing!

Could happen. On the other hand, there will still be a lot of jobs having nothing to do with J2ME (or some other specific technology) at all.

The next really big thing could even have nothing to do with Java at all! (Imagine that...

)

That's why I'd keep an eye on some more general skills. Just my personal opinion, of course.

Ilja you are absolutely right you can never tell what the next big thing really is. So I guess the best way is to keep on learning stuff that you find intersting as well as keep an eye on the market and on skills in demand and you just have to hope that you are in the right direction!!

Cheers

Originally posted by M Jay:
So I guess the best way is to keep on learning stuff that you find intersting

Good point!

If you find it interesting, it will be easier to learn, you will be better, will have it easier to find a good job, and will finally even have fun at the job!

Might actually be the better strategy than learning what currently gets the most hype...