Re: Gaining a Position

[Joel Carklin]

Title: Re: Gaining a Position

Hi Peter, I've recently managed to get work as a Java programmer, after teaching myself and coming from a background with no programming experience whatsoever. I did a 6 month correspondence course, did all the online tutorials I could find (the one from Sun is very good) and hung out in places like this list and the Java Ranch (www.javaranch.com) . After about 8 months of studying and experimenting I prepared for Sun's Java Programmer Examination. I did all the mock exams I could find and finally passed with flying colours. I then sent out an email to all the Java User Groups in my area (Cape Town) saying I wanted to work with JSP and Servlets as well as EJB's (which aren't actually covered in the exam). It took 6 months but I am now happily employed, at entry level position and salary, but getting the experience I need to become good at what I do... > I am trying to break into the field of programming as a Java developer.  I would like to ask the people who are employed as Java > Programmers how they got their break into the world of programming and, more specifically, java.