MCAD Certification

[jwdcfdeveloper]

All,

I'm currently a Cold Fusion Developer (hence the name jwdcfdeveloper ). I've used Cold Fusion since 4.0. However, I want to try to get into more object oriented programming, because CF jobs have almost completely dried up in the Chicagoland area. The problems I have run into with Java is that you need a host of skills beyond command of the language (i.e. knowledge of various J2EE compliant servers, Jakarta Struts, Ant, etc.) and C++ development is primarily financial engineering (serious knowledge of quantitative analysis, derivatives, etc. needed).

I am currently working on a CF project for the next 5 months or so, and my plan is to try and get my MCAD or at least an MCP,developer during that time. I'm hoping to translate my 5+ years of web development experience and certification into something with a little more bite than what I'm currently doing.

I'm currently in school working on a Master's Degree in Comp Sci, but I need something after this project is over and I won't graduate for another two years. So I'm looking at the MCAD as a short-term solution to gettting into OOP? Does anyone have a better suggestion as to how to get to next level of application development?

 

[RiverGuy]

So it seems as though you're ditching the Java idea and lookingn at C++? I'm not even done with my Bachelor's yet, but I have about two years experience. Most of my job experience has been focused around using VB and .Net. Therefore I don't have a ton of real world experience in C++.

But from what I have historically seen from job listings in my area (Las Vegas), is that most of the C++ jobs around here also require database knowledge and to some extent for some of them--web development. Also, most seem to require experience and a degree--not neccessarily a certification. I really can't recall ever seeing a listing for a programming job requiring a certification.

What I am basically saying is that whichever language you choose, you will have to have other skills to compliment it. The best resource you have of course, is just to learn a language. Do it on your own if you have to. Maybe volunteer a program you've made to some organization, so you can say you have experience in a production environment. I don't know of anyone personally with an MCAD, therefore I don't anyone that used that to help him or her attain a job.

Your main obstacle will concern the language you choose to learn. The learning curve may be much steeper for C++ than Java or a .Net language to start making enterprise level programs.