programming jobs

[James Fremantle]

hi,

iam an accountant and recently got certified as a java programmer, I also graduated with an IT degree about 3 years ago. I will soon register for the java developers certification, which i am sure will improve my chances of landing a progamming job.

I would like to know how much my new certification and the developers certication would help me in landing a programming job.

thanks,

James

[Barry Gaunt]

I think this better belongs in Jobs Discussion...

[Homer Phillips]

By your post I am assuming your about 25 and in the USA. It will be seen as a plus, but it won't tip the scales. You're facing an uphill climb. If you are over 30 then it will be really hard to find a position.

IMO, you should look for a better career than programming. Age discrimination, the current fad of favoring foreign nationals, and offshoring of jobs have diminished the desirability of IT as a career.

That stuff you read about there being a shortage of people in this field is and always has been bogus.

YMMV

[K Riaz]

Originally posted by James Fremantle:

I would like to know how much my new certification and the developers certication would help me in landing a programming job.

If you asked Recruitment Consultants, they would say "not much". How many job adverts actually ask for people with Java certifications? I don't remember ever reading a single one. I think they see it as a "You can learn, but can you do?" situation because you are still unproven. You need experience to back your certification up.
[ May 03, 2005: Message edited by: Kashif Riaz ]

[Jason Cox]

I don't want to be discouraging, but if you're an accountant now, why do you want to become a programmer? The pay is, generally speaking, comparable and the job security is much better for accountants. Unless you just have a love of technology or are interested in the technology industry, I wouldn't recommend making the switch.

If you do just want to be a programmer and find it more engaging than accounting, you're best bet is to find an employer looking for recent graduates or junior level people. Emphasize that you do have a college degree, downplay that it's not in Computer Science. Do some programming work on the side, even if its just some projects at home. If you've actually built something and can discuss design and concepts, it will be better than someone looking to switch careers who knows next to nothing and no experience.