FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY

[Tony Alicea]

Well, it had to happen!
Today is my first anniversary of working as a (professional of course) Java Developer.
For those who unconditionally and as a matter of course knock certification in any context (for reasons that I will never understand), I had been on a self-imposed "sabbatical" for two years away from IT, while teaching myself in that order, HTML-4, CSS-1, JavaScript 1.2 which of course combine to produce D-HTML. Then Java for last. Then 98% score in the "old" SCPJ2 and two job offers from two interviews in 6 days of looking. Not bad at all, considering that I had a very specific geographical area in mind (South Florida).
The year is described in the JavaRanch URLs:

• Cleared SCPJ2 With 98% (2/14/2000)
  


• My Java Phone Interview (3/4/2000)
  


• How seriously is SCJP considered by companies in absence of professional Java job experience? (3/6/2000)
  


• Yet Another Offer (3/15/2000)
  


• "My Life As A... Java Programmer :-) (4/6/2000)
  


• CAREER MOVE! (6/15/2000)
  


• Yesterday at Happy Hour... (8/5/2000)
  


• 0.5 Year Anniversary Of Java Employment (9/27/2000)
  


• Back to my Java index page.
  


I could not have done it without Marcus Green's site and of course, this one!
Good Luck to All!

[Tony Alicea]

...And I didn't even mention that I was 49 years old last year when I was looking for work after two years of not working... (!?)

[John Coxey]

I thought you were like 22 or 23. Good to hear.
BTW/ The outfit that relocated me to Denver laid me off today - so I am back in the job search game.
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[Tony Alicea]

Oh,I'm 22 today alright!
It was last year that I was 49
(Please see my new post about your situation...)
[This message has been edited by Tony Alicea (edited March 27, 2001).]

[Rochelle Hoffman]

John Coxey- I'm sorry to hear of your job layoff in Denver. It's seems like I just read not too long ago that you had taken the new job.
Best wishes to you in your search. I'm usre it won't take long at all.
Rochelle Hoffman

[maha anna]

John,
From all your helpful posts, I really used to wonder how come you have SO MUCH knowledge to help people in job search. I am sure you will win this race very soon. Take care.
regds
maha anna

[Michael Pearson]

Tony,
Your story is an inspiration for other Java Ranchers! I have 8 years in non-OOP programming and I can't wait to make the change to
I'm just starting to learn Java and OOP methodologies. I know I'll look for your posts in the future for inspiration.
Arecibo Observatory is a cool tourist stop. I loved Puerto Rico when I visited 2 years ago.
Mike

[Suresh Ray]

Originally posted by Tony Alicea:
Today is my first anniversary of working as a (professional of course) Java Developer.
Cleared SCPJ2 With 98% (2/14/2000)
My Java Phone Interview (3/4/2000)
How seriously is SCJP considered by companies in absence of professional Java job experience? (3/6/2000)
Yet Another Offer (3/15/2000)
"My Life As A... Java Programmer :-) (4/6/2000)
CAREER MOVE! (6/15/2000)
Yesterday at Happy Hour... (8/5/2000)
0.5 Year Anniversary Of Java Employment (9/27/2000)
Back to my Java index page.

After seeing your post, I kind of felt like sharing my career transistion, since it has been almost about an year for me, entering into professional Java field. Earlier, I worked on Non-OOP background(Mainframe) for about 5 years+ and now am satisfied, working as an Enterprise Java developer.
I have been following this site and Marcus Green's site for a long time( from Jan 2000 ) and particularly Jim, Frank, MA & your posts have been a great inspiration & learning experience.

• I cleared my SCJP after a month, from the date you cleared the exam ( March 14th 2000 ). I studied for SCJP during my spare time, ( ofcourse with the help of Javaranch )while working with my existing company, and with the hopes that my company will recognize my initiative to move into Java field.
  They( my company ) DID recognize my efforts when I became SCJP and placed me on an extensive training on advanced Java/Corba and integration technologies.
  
• After the training, I was placed on a Java project ( during Apr/May 2000 ) and had to relocate, but from then on, it was no turning back. For the initial few months, it was a steep learning curve, working on enterprise technologies and overall it has been really challenging and fun to work on Java.
  

Bottomline: SCJP was a turning point in my career and am sure it has been so, to many other people at javaranch.
With Best wishes to y'all,
Suresh
[This message has been edited by Suresh Ray (edited March 29, 2001).]

[John M. Gabriele]

Tony, you son-of-a-gun, readin' this has made my day.
Glad to hear you're doing so well. I'm a BS Physics myself
and have turned to programming for employment.
I tried teaching high school for a little while but... well,
I won't get into what teenagers are like these days.
Thanks for all the links in your post above; I plan to make
it through them when I get home.
Congratulations to you too Suresh.

[Tony Alicea]

Thanks John And congratulations to you Suresh!

[Dominic Steng�rd]

Congratulations Tony!!
I have been a silent admirer of your career and progression for the last 8 months, and your posts on this site have been very inspiring for me!
I used to program in Delphi and VB but when I got to work on my first Java project (last April) I was caught, and from that day on I haven't been able to look back, I just love it!!
I started preparing for my certification in July last year, and passed it on the 31 of Januari this year . Three months ago I was contacted by a very successful IT consulting company, and I was offered a job which I could not resist taking, so on monday I start my new job as a Java consultant! I can't wait!!
I wish you all the very best in your Java career, and I'm looking forward to reading your future posts on this site!
Happy hacking!
Regards
------------------
Dominic Steng�rd
Sun Certified Java 2 Programmer
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[This message has been edited by Dominic Steng�rd (edited March 30, 2001).]

[Tony Alicea]

Thanks Dominic!
Your post should be an inspiration for the guys where I work that have been doing ASPs and VB for all their life and now are being given the chance to upgrade their skills to Java.
Some of them complain that they have been asked to learn Java (as a secondary project; not that they have to drop what they are doing with the old technology and then turn on a dime!)
And even so, some of them complain that "Java this, Java that" (OK, so they have to use IBM's Visual Age... ).
In my old job I wish I had been given the opportunity instead of having to just quit in order to learn OOP in Java and Web technology. Oh Well...
How is the situation for foreigners over there in Sweden? Are you guys as easy on immigration as we are in the USA?
Good Luck!
Tony

[Suresh Ray]

Thanks, John Gabriele and Tony.
We have seen quite a few success stories here at the ranch with people switching from different platforms(Non-OOP background) to Java.
May these postings serve as an inspiration to others hoping to make the switch to Java field. Like, one of these recent ones: Two Week anniversary as a Java Developer!!!
Good luck to y'all,
Suresh
[This message has been edited by Suresh Ray (edited March 30, 2001).]

[Dominic Steng�rd]

Hello Tony!
Well what to say! In my old workplace we had quite a few of the quys which you just mentioned. But my experience is that most programmers/developers thinking of switching from say VB/ASP to Java don't do it because they are scared of leaving their Microsoft platform. When you try to tell them of all the possibilities in Java or try to explain that what Microsoft is trying to implement in the .net platform has been provided by Sun for quite some years... some people just never get it.
The situation for foreigners in Sweden, and by this I guess you mean IT professionals etc, is quite good. We are lacking good Java developers badly. So finding a job at the moment is probably no problem. But I must give out a small warning to anyone considering working in Sweden; the salaries over here are far from what you get in say USA and UK and also we are beeing taxed to death... so if you are aiming on making your first million... then Sweden is not the place for you... but if you on the other hand are looking for a good place to raise you children or if you're looking for a country with great nature and scenery then Sweden is the place to be.
Regards

------------------
Dominic Steng�rd
Sun Certified Java 2 Programmer
------------------

[John Coxey]

Dominic:
Can you elaborate more on Sweden? Your post is quite interesting and I would like to learn more (as I think would others on this board).
Some questions:
How receptive is Sweden to foreign workers?
What is the process/timeframe for foreign workers wishing to gain employment in Sweden?
You mentioned the tax rate - can you elaborate more?
-----------
Here in the USA - I make (well used to) around US$6,000/month. But, I get around US$2,100 of this taken out for taxes. I am single, no wife, no kids, and don't own a house - so I don't qualify for any refunds at the end of the year.
Just curious,
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[John M. Gabriele]

I too am intrigued Dominic,
I've occasionally suggested to my wife that we
see what other countries are like.
Any comments on what a young (hey, 30 is young!) american couple
could expect on packing up and heading off to Sweden.
Suh-weee-den!
If this is just way too off-topic, we could continue this in the
meaningless drivel section.
[This message has been edited by john gabriele (edited April 01, 2001).]