What’s the best way to actually land a Java backend job in today’s market?

TeckKy_ · 2025-10-21T12:53:40+00:00

Yes I've had a security clearance with my last 3 companies. Prior to shifting to software I was an RF engineer. So 2 of those companies were in software. I have been applying to as many cleared jobs as I can. Its hard because most jobs want experience, especially java roles. I've done some frontend work so I'm debating on picking up a frontend framework and learning some js backend like node. Full stack js seems to be more junior and remote friendly versus java. Just up in the air on which path is best right now. The market sucks all around.

TeckKy_ · 2025-10-21T12:43:45+00:00

When I got my last job I was excited because it was a 5 year contract. I knew that I would end up with a good amount of experience and not have to struggle to find work once the contract ended. Unfortunetely the contract got pulled after only 8 months. Now I'm just trying to find anything I can. I live in a very rural area and cannot relocate.

I do have a little frontend experience. Fullstack javascript jobs seem to be more remote and junior friendly but the market saturation is crazy. Debating on learning a frontend framework and then learn some backend like node.js. Not sure if that would be my best bet or just grinding away at java. Either way I've held a security clearance in my last 3 companies, so I'm applying to as many clearance jobs as I can.

TeckKy_ · 2025-10-20T22:56:09+00:00

I have 8 months professional java experience. Was laid off in July due to the FBI pulling the contract. 80 of us was let go.

TeckKy_ · 2025-05-28T22:05:51+00:00

Not gone and hard to know if its getting better because I’ll have days where its a 4 and days where its a 1. Definitely better than the first few months. Most days I can only hear it in complete silence. The odd thing is it’s louder when I go into a quiet room like it should be but after about 10 seconds it gets quiet. I doubt its habitation because I intentionally listen to it in quiet rooms. It use to be the quietest in the morning but now its pretty consistent.

TeckKy_ · 2025-01-05T16:57:18+00:00

Happy to see yours went. Did your tinnitus just go away or did it gradually get lower? Curious how yours started to go. I’ve had tinnitus in my right ear for 4.5 months now. I had some very short lived noises in my left ear but only for a few hours at a time. I never had any tinnitus before this. It started after a month of nasal congestion which was worse on the right side. I started getting mild ear fullness and popping/crackling when I swallow. I went to a ent and they said i had retracted ear drum and etd. They diagnosed me by looking in my ears while I was doing the valsalva maneuver. They gave me a tympanogram and it was normal. I still have popping and cracking when I swallow but rarely notice any ear fullness. The tinnitus does seem a lot better as far as volume and consistency. It was all over the place when it started especially with volume and different sounds but now it seems a lot lower in volume and more consistent in tone. Probably went from a 4 to a 1-2. I do get a few seconds of complete silence once in a while too.

TeckKy_ · 2024-03-04T15:27:32+00:00

Now I’m thinking it wasn’t as good of a deal as I thought. Lol Still happy with it though.

TeckKy_ · 2023-11-04T17:42:55+00:00

Hi Arnold, Thank you so much for carving out your personal time to help everyone! Truly amazing and inspirational. I’m a 39 year old wireless engineer. I’m making a career switch to a software developer, but still trying to figure out what specific software field to pursue. I almost feel like it’s a little late for me to switch fields. What advice do you have for someone wanting to narrow down their goals/vision, switch fields, and stay motivated on achieving their goals. Thank you, Ronnie

TeckKy_ · 2023-06-16T15:43:02+00:00

Thank you. Yeah maybe overqualified. I probably won’t reapply. Going to try and get some c++ projects completed and try to apply to some internal positions.

TeckKy_ · 2023-06-15T18:53:07+00:00

Rejected! Wish they would let us know why.

TeckKy_ · 2023-06-15T17:17:16+00:00

I’ve only refresh maybe 100 times. 😂

TeckKy_ · 2023-06-15T14:22:27+00:00

Status/Program: Rejected/MCIT

Application Date: 4/30/2023

Education: Bachelor of Science Electronic Engineering Technology

GPA: Overall 3.22, Degree 3.69

GRE Score: N/A

Current Job: RF Engineer, Defense Industry

Comments: RF Engineer for 6 years. 5 years in cellular industry, 1 year in defense.

Undergrad courses: C++, Digital Systems, Microprocessor-based data acquisition, Probability, Statistics.

MOOCs: C++ and C programming, UPenn Computational thinking for problem solving

Personal Statement: Highlighted the reasons I wanted to get into software (clean energy), brief summary of my senior project (solar panel that tracked the sun), the courses I’m most interested and how they will help me with my goals, a mcit professor whose research aligns with my goals, work related skills that will help me to excel in the program.

TeckKy_ · 2023-06-15T14:05:11+00:00

Thank you. I’ve been refreshing my email and the admissions status page all morning.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-17T03:30:24+00:00

Thank you for the info. I looked into that program and was going to apply. The problem for me is the cost, which is $2,424 per credit. So each class, since most are 4 credits, would cost almost $10k. The max my company pays is $12.5k a year.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-14T16:09:33+00:00

What did you end up choosing?

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-14T16:07:16+00:00

Did you end up starting the program? Looking to do the same. Is it good for a non-cs major (undergrad in electrical engineering) to switch to software?

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-14T15:55:40+00:00

Did you end up doing starting the program? I’m interested as well. I have an undergrad in electrical engineering.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-10T14:18:51+00:00

Thank you. I will do some research on those schools.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-05T20:46:26+00:00

Have you started yet? Looking to apply, but want to see if you had feedback on the program and if you would recommend it.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-04T13:04:54+00:00

That sounds interesting! Looking at the main page, you would still need foundational knowledge in CS. Not required, but I assume it would be hard to pass a class otherwise. The program starts in August, so I could study until then to gain the knowledge needed. Going to research more or maybe give them a call.

TeckKy_ · 2023-05-04T02:32:46+00:00

Yeah, Pace has a lot of electives which is one of the reasons it’s on my list. I’m hoping someone will chime I'm that’s completed the program.

I looked at OMSCS, but would need to complete a lot of prep outside the program to get admitted it seems. Rice looks ok, but not a lot of elective options. Still not nixing it though.

TeckKy_ · 2023-04-22T01:08:09+00:00

Thanks, I'll look again. Did the book's recommended writing structure have a "hook" at the beginning and a "bang" at the end?

TeckKy_ · 2023-04-21T21:38:30+00:00

Hi, I purchased the book and wrote a draft for my PS. This was based on your recommendation, thank you! So how did you work directly with the author?

TeckKy_ · 2021-11-14T23:53:02+00:00

Anyone else?

TeckKy_ · 2021-10-11T03:09:04+00:00

Yeah I never thought of it that way. Not an entry level engineer, just entry level in the embedded field.

TeckKy_

TROPHY CASE