 Businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of a unified programming model capable of seamlessly integrating an entire business infrastructure. Java and J2EE technology provide just such a model. Desktop, web, enterprise information system, cell phone, and smart card applications can all be created and integrated using Java and J2EE technology. Choose your Sun Java exam: 310-014, 310-015, 310-016, 310-025, 310-035, 310-036, 310-044, 310-081, 310-082, 310-200 or Java training.
 Need an "On-Site" training at your facility? Contact us now!
Sun's Java certifications: Are they worth the effort?
Tags: Certification, Exam, Java, Sun Microsystems Inc., Sun Java, Sun Certified Java Programmer, Sun Certified Enterprise Architect, Quality, Business Operations
Sun's Java certification track Suns Java certifications are designed to be focused on particular roles in the software development cycle and, therefore, are more useful than all-in-one certifications such as IBM’s XML certification.
Sun currently offers eight Java certifications, which are classified by level and specialization. Most of the certifications require you to pass a multiple choice exam, but some also require you to write an essay. It is recommended to have six to twelve months of actual job experience before attempting to pass any exam.
- Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA): This entry-level exam certifies only knowledge of basic Java language concepts and general knowledge of Sun platforms.
- Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP): At the “foundation” level, there are exams for Java 1.4 and Java 5.0. These exams certify solid knowledge of the Java language. (Note: It is not required to have SCJA to get SCJP, which makes me wonder why SCJA certification is needed at all.)
- Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD): Many employers may focus on this level of certification for two reasons: You need to be an SCJP (any version) before you can try to become an SCJD. Also, the SCJD requires candidates to develop a small business system according to the problem and write an essay defending the solution and explaining the design and programming decisions.
- Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD): This exam can be of interest for Web developers who specialize in using Java technologies such as Java Server Pages (JSP) and servlets. SCJP is a prerequisite for taking this exam.
- Sun Certified Business Component Developer (SCBCD): This certification, which consists of only one exam, is the kernel of J2EE certification — as long as it certifies your knowledge of Enterprise Java Beans (EJB). The exam is pretty hard to pass if you do not have any Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) project experience. SCJP is a mandatory prerequisite. This certification can be of interest to employers who use EJB for project development.
- Sun Certified Developer for Java Web Services (SCDJWS): This certification is for Java developers who build Web services. You have to take one exam for this certification, and SCJP is a prerequisite.
- Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer (SCMAD): This is a certification for developers of Java applications for cell phones or any other devices containing J2ME onboard. You have to take one exam for this certification, and SCJP is a prerequisite.
- Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA): This is what the Sun certification program is all about. This certifies enterprise architects responsible for architecting and designing J2EE-compliant applications from scratch. There are no prerequisite requirements even though it is the most advanced certification. In fact, if you cannot pass any of the previously listed certifications, you will never succeed with this one. To achieve this certification, candidates must complete three steps: a multiple choice exam, a development assignment similar to SCJD (but on a much larger scale), and a final essay exam where you will defend your solution.
Is the effort you expend worth the result?
"I have two Java certificates: SCJP and SCWCD. I earned the first certification while I was student at university; my professor awarded students with vouchers for attempting to take the SCJP exam. With the second certification, Sun contacted me about its new certification program and invited me to assess my skills for free (and take the actual exam) in exchange for my feedback about the questions and about the certification itself.
I think both of my certifications are pretty much useless pieces of paper. The main reason why I got these certifications was to prove to myself that I am proficient in Java. While preparing for these exams, I learned a lot; also, since I was engaged in real production projects at that time, I immediately started applying my newfound knowledge. This is the only reason why I would recommend that Java developers pass the entry- and mid-level exams. None of my employers showed interest in looking at my certifications.
The SCEA certification, however, is a completely different story. If you peruse career sites, there are lot of vacancies for which SCEA is considered highly desirable. Developers can only earn this certification after having a lot of experience in software architectural design and working with J2EE, i.e., with a broad range of Java technologies. SCEA is the most attractive certification for developers who are seriously thinking about becoming a software architect. I don't think the other certifications offer much value.
It's been my experience that most employers will overlook your certifications unless your resume shows that you have hands-on experience working with a particular technology. At the other end of the spectrum, I have seen examples of successful career building on the base of certifications. In my opinion, this is more a question of a particular certification program and particular holder’s attitude to the certification. Most IT pros take certification exams more for self-learning than for their employer.
Waste of money for experienced developers
I've been developing with and teaching Java since 1996. On rare occasions, someone will ask if I am certified prior to giving me an assignment. I usually respond with, "Why should I waste my time and money to take a test to prove that I can do what I've been doing for the past 10 years?"
There's a big difference between saying someone is qualified to do something versus showing that they've already done it. I've worked with individuals who are "certified", but are very poor designer/developers. Expertise comes with experience and a certificate is no substitute.
The only persons I can see who might benefit from certifications would be those who have no experience and are looking for an entry-level position in the industry. If they are competing against newbies who have no certifications, that might give them an edge in getting that first job. Beyond that, experience and references are going to carry far more weight in making hiring decisions than some test result.
The bottom line is this: if you can't do the work, it doesn't matter what certifications you have. If you can, then your certifications don't matter.
I think they are worthwhile
I've known many people who dropped out of university and basically blame the university they visited for this happening to them (too 'theoretical'...duh!. it's like 'I quit playing waterpolo because I realised I don't like getting wet). They get good jobs until they reach fourty and reach the ceiling of opportunity.
I see the same with certifications. I've been in the IT industry since 1990 with a background in electronics and computer science and know MANY colleagues who THINK they are pretty good, just as I do/did. However, the certifications I did show me that there was still a lot I could improve on, and they also updated me with current practices and standards, which can be very confusing in the IT-industry as everything gets hyped in this particular area.
The SUN certification programmes are not overly expensive and they do not demand irrelevant things (like: which colour coding should you use when using netbeans or something equally goofy), and they do offer others a means of evaluating your current state of expertise. If your experience already has got what it takes to follow the exam, they are also easy to make. But people DO flunk them, and not only because of the sorry excuses you hear after the exam is finished, but mainly because they simply could not make them.
I've experienced years in IT where every idiot who had at one point in their life touched a keyboard could call themselves an IT-pro and got away with it, and that background and training where considered irrelevant (consider a successful job application for surgeon on the grounds that you always watch ER...) and personally I am glad that a solid background, training and keeping up-to-date have recently become more important. It is the sign of a maturing industry. Not all certifications are good and worthwhile, but the popular ones are this for good reason.
There are many good IT-professionals without certifications and bad ones who have got one, but I do think that the percentages good-bad are very different on the non-certification side and the other.
keesp
RE: Sun's Java certifications: Are they worth the effort?
I have SCEA. For me it was not to much interesting to pass exams with less level: I didnt see any real value.
Employers may be hired me with taking into account it (and post-grad in CS), I dont know yet. Preparation to SCEA was very beneficial for structuring your architect (not just J2EE) knowledge base. I'd recommend to read materials from Sun SCEA guides even if you not going to pass it.
Alex
Agree
I did the SCJP in 2003. Now planning to take the SCJP 1.5. Its more for my own interest, than anything else. I dont think employers look at this, they put more weightage on project experience, and rightly so. Just knowing the java language does not mean anything. It really does not prove one will be able to apply this java knowledge to a practical problem at hand.
Gets you through the door
The question "are they worth the effort?" is subject to the kind of reward you are expecting once you get certified.
1. If you are doing it , so that you get past the initial screening for a job position . Then yes , Sun certification will definitely help.
As a J2EE practice Manager in my earlier job , I have never been without having a face to face interview with any candidate who had a Sun certification.
2. If you think by having a Sun certification you will automatically get hired , sorry to disappoint you that isn't the case. The only guarantee you have with a Sun Certification is that you will never get overlooked in the initial resume screening.
3. Knowledge well here it is a mixed bag. With the SCJP , SCWCD , SCDJWS the coverage is decent. This is specially true with the web services exam. With the SCEA --Sun certified Enterprise Architect , well this certification should really be name Sun Certified Application development architect. The area of Enterprise architecture is far more vast than what is covered in this exam. For instance the exam focuses on development design patterns. Architectural patterns , Architectural frameworks are never dealt with in the exam.
Architectural frameworks like TOGAF , FEAF , Zachman aren't even a bullet point in any of the section. But again my SCEA certification gets me more open position inquiries than my peers. BTW , I have the following certs : SCJP , SCWCD , SCDJWS , SCEA & CISSP
I'd suggest reading the following article
|