Advice on Switching Careers to be a Java Programmer

Question

Hi All,

I have about 15 years of IT experience in IT Security and Networking. I am looking for a career change and I really would like to take a stab at Java programming. I have a CS degree but it's been about 5 years since my last class. I have intermediate experience in Perl (that is still current) and I am also trying to learn Python (although it has taken a back seat to Java). I picked up Sam's Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours as a refresher to my Java classes I took in school. I am half way through it and luckily it's all coming back to me. I also have HTML and some SQL experience.

I guess my question is what kind of jobs should I be applying for? I am thinking I only have enough knowledge for a beginner/intern type jobs but it's going to be almost impossible for me (personally) to take a job that only makes 1/3 of what I'm making now. Will I be laughed at if I attempt to apply for "real" programming jobs or is there such a demand for Java programmers now that someone will be willing to give me a chance?

Thank you for any advice. I would really like to make this change within the next 6 months.

Answer 1

If you know Perl, Java should be quite easy, if you have any experience with C too, that should help immensely. Remember that Java does not HAVE to be OO. Also remember there's a lot more to Java than just the language, also runtime management and many other languages that run in the Java runtime.

Can you find yourself a Java project at your current position?

Answer 2

Your best bet may be to see about getting involved with an open-source project or two, and get some experience that you can point to, that you know what you are doing.

Otherwise, with no experience, how can you be anything other than a beginner.

Since you aren't coming in with a strong design background it will also be difficult.

Answer 3

Step 1 : Find a consulting company, which will train you for free on java and get you a job. Why you have to do this ? a : You might end up studying java for another 3months and only knowing that you need to learn few more tricks b : Since they make money on you, they market your resume and get a job

Step 2: After six months you can switch to permanent with any big company.

Declaimer : This is one of the easy way of quickly getting experience in Java. However there might be much better ways.