"Four Years of Columns, Condensed"
06/11/2008
by Dave Fecak
By writing this column for four years now, I’ve come to realize that my audience (you) reacts most positively to articles focused on practical advice. (I’ve also come to realize how difficult it is to generate original content on a monthly basis!) Being in continuous contact with a large number of Java professionals that are working for various sized companies and work environments gives me the unique ability to be your eyes and ears to the ‘word on the street’. What we all read on various blogs and websites about the present and future of Java technology is certainly useful, but the pulse of the global Java community is certainly a bit different than the local pulse.
This month I bring you (drum roll)...Random Advice! I hope you enjoy it.
- If all you know about Java is JSP and Struts you can get a job. It may not be the job you dream of and you may not get rich, but you’ll stay employed.
- Keep an eye on anything Google puts out relevant to development. Things like GWT, Android, and Guice aren’t the most widely used tools around yet, but it doesn’t take a genius to see where Google is going.
- If you’ve been reading my writings for more than a year and you still have a resume over 4 pages, please re-read everything I’ve ever written about resumes (archives here). When you’re done, email me and tell me why your resume is over 4 pages. I’ll reply to let you know why it shouldn’t be, but I’ll be nice about it and we’ll still be friends!
- Spring has become a standard that you probably need to know. Hibernate is in the same ballpark, just in cheaper seats. Whether you are a fan or not, become acquainted.
- If you’re really good with Swing, kudos to you and that may be a valuable skill for some companies. But if you’re only good with Swing, it’s time to learn a few new tricks.
- Open source tools and technologies are your new best friend. Not just the kind of friend you call on birthdays and holidays. Treat them as such. Pay attention to them, even if your company doesn’t allow them to be used. Go to Apache’s site and ask yourself if you can use or (at worst) speak intelligently about at least five different Apache projects.
- Bookmark TheServerSide, DZone, and ONJava. Try to browse at least once or twice a week.
- He/she who performs maintenance and bug fixing with a smile shall be rewarded with greenfield projects.
- Ask your boss to send you to a conference and promise not to oversleep the sessions – JavaOne in San Fran, TSS Java Symposium in Vegas, or even a regional conference like those held by NoFluffJustStuff (often in less exotic places with cheaper hotels). The worst the boss can say is ‘no’.
- Find someone senior to you and get a mentor. Find someone junior to you and be a mentor. Then your mentor will be a proud ‘grandmentor’.
- If you aren’t currently in your dream job, write down what your dream job would be. Then email that to me and I’ll keep my eye out for it.
archives
09/10/08: Tech Tips from September 2008 Newsletter
09/10/08: "And the Candidates Are..."
08/06/08: Tech Tips from August 2008 Newsletter
08/06/08: "The Intangibles - Why Your Tech Skills Alone Sometimes Aren't Enough"
07/09/08: Tech Tips from July 2008 Newsletter
07/09/08: "What it Takes to Be An Independent - From Head to Toe (but not in that order)"
06/11/08: "Four Years of Columns, Condensed"
05/11/08: "What Every Manager DOESN'T Want"
04/09/08: "Bookmarks of the Java Pros"
03/12/08: "Suggestions to Make Your Java Career Recession-Proof"
