eclipse is a great tool and it's gotten to the point where I
can barely write Java code without it.  It takes a lot of the tedium
out of Java coding and does some things that I don't even pay
attention to anymore.  I think for learning you might learn more by
using a text editor and the javac compiler and figuring out what to do
to make the compiler happy.  At least for me I learn more by fixing
mistakes than memorizing theory.  Once you get past the point of
writing single class projects, eclipse can help a lot in tying
multiple classes together.
-------
Remove underscores from e-mail address.

Yes, Eclipse is what I want to be able to use efficiently.  (When in
school 3 years or more ago, I used JCreator.)

I need some more advice from you.  First let me give you my background
again  and what I am trying to accomplish.

I have a Master's in Analytical Chemistry (not organic chemistry but
took  Medicinal Chemistry and hence familiar with pharmaceutical
compound + have read up on Biochemistry a bit) and then got a degree 3
years ago from a university where I learned C (intro) and Java  -
intro+ advanced but forgot advanced - along with web development class
usin JavaScript, ASP, perl, and TCP/IP class, DBMS (grad level), some
SWEN classes including UML. I am solid on SQL and have used Oracle in
learning it.

Upon graduating, I moved to the west coast and here I took Intro to
VB.Net to kill time and recently, got back into Java after
contemplating to do C# early this year because I am already familiar
with the terms and info in Java and wants to get a job by the end of
this year or early next year even if I have to join consulting agency
who has connections for jobs and move to anywhere in US to get the
industry experience first.  Then try to find  a job directly with the a
pharma company. I am concern about my degree getting old on resume.

I want to get a programer analyst position, if possible, in Medicinal
Chemistry, i.e in a paharmaceutical company. The position would
typicaly be 20% Chemistry and 80% programing. Recently, I have seen an
ad for such a position - appeared to be entry level,  and titled
Programmer Analyst in Medicinal Chemistry/Cheminformatics.  The
position said BS/MS in Chemistry or Computer Science with experience in
Java, Web programming, JDBC, Oracle.

Now the advise I am asking:

- Should I just focus on learning Java ONLY (to reach J2EE level) and
*not do* anything else, like this internship with the state where I am
mainly using Access 2003's Code builder.  I am not in IT dept and don't
have any guidance on coding but have the old project they have to refer
to.  I am new here.  What I don't like the most is using Access with VB
coding, not VB.net instead of  a pure programming language.

- Also, should I not bother taking other classes which I plan to take
this Fall, (like C# and Intermediate level VB.Ne. They won't be that
hard and also won't be offered again in Spring. I want to be exposed to
DotNet framework as some of these pharma company may be using DotNet -
a friend (from school) of mine recently got a job interview for in a
pharma company and was told that they would using DotNet in 90% of the
IT work. Being forced to do the homework seem to be the way for me to
get exposed to things. Otherwise, family issues(from siblings; I don't
have my own and do not plan to have) gets me sidetracked.

- In your opinion, if I want to get serious J2EE knowledge *fast*, in
order to be able to make time and *intensively* focus on it, what
should I let go? Both the internship and classes or just the
internship?

Working here, I kind of hate to be looking up for Access's object names
(different from VB.Net and VB) and their methods, and prefer to be
spedning time on Java but at the same time I wonder whether I should
get this internship experience. It's useless $$ and cost me $6.00/day
to park downtown. I can teach a Chemistry class, i.e spend 12-15 hrs a
week total in a regular college to make the same montly income. In
fact, I have an offer to teach a class but this is from a school with
classes that go with monthly arrangment, i.e a course per month, and
so, it would be more than 15 hours a week but I don't have to take a
class everyweek. Teaching Chemistry classes for Nursing is a peice of
cake for me.

- Should I be bold and let go of the internship?  The good thing about
it is that my boss is a good person and he would give good
receommnedation but I am not interested in waiting for a state job.
Hate their beaurocracy and stupid state exams.

Yes, Eclipse is what I want to be able to use efficiently.  (When in
school 3 years or more ago, I used JCreator.)

I need some more advice from you.  First let me give you my background
again  and what I am trying to accomplish.

I have a Master's in Analytical Chemistry (not organic chemistry but
took  Medicinal Chemistry and hence familiar with pharmaceutical
compound + have read up on Biochemistry a bit) and then got a degree 3
years ago from a university where I learned C (intro) and Java  -
intro+ advanced but forgot advanced - along with web development class
usin JavaScript, ASP, perl, and TCP/IP class, DBMS (grad level), some
SWEN classes including UML. I am solid on SQL and have used Oracle in
learning it.

Upon graduating, I moved to the west coast and here I took Intro to
VB.Net to kill time and recently, got back into Java after
contemplating to do C# early this year because I am already familiar
with the terms and info in Java and wants to get a job by the end of
this year or early next year even if I have to join consulting agency
who has connections for jobs and move to anywhere in US to get the
industry experience first.  Then try to find  a job directly with the a

pharma company. I am concern about my degree getting old on resume.

I want to get a programer analyst position, if possible, in Medicinal
Chemistry, i.e in a paharmaceutical company. The position would
typicaly be 20% Chemistry and 80% programing. Recently, I have seen an
ad for such a position - appeared to be entry level,  and titled
Programmer Analyst in Medicinal Chemistry/Cheminformatics.  The
position said BS/MS in Chemistry or Computer Science with experience in

Java, Web programming, JDBC, Oracle.

Now the advise I am asking:

- Should I just focus on learning Java ONLY (to reach J2EE level) and
*not do* anything else, like this internship with the state where I am
mainly using Access 2003's Code builder.  I am not in IT dept and don't

have any guidance on coding but have the old project they have to refer

to.  I am new here.  What I don't like the most is using Access with VB

coding, not VB.net instead of  a pure programming language.

- Also, should I not bother taking other classes which I plan to take
this Fall, (like C# and Intermediate level VB.Ne. They won't be that
hard and also won't be offered again in Spring. I want to be exposed to

DotNet framework as some of these pharma company may be using DotNet -
a friend (from school) of mine recently got a job interview for in a
pharma company and was told that they would using DotNet in 90% of the
IT work. Being forced to do the homework seem to be the way for me to
get exposed to things. Otherwise, family issues(from siblings; I don't
have my own and do not plan to have) gets me sidetracked.

- In your opinion, if I want to get serious J2EE knowledge *fast*, in
order to be able to make time and *intensively* focus on it, what
should I let go? Both the internship and classes or just the
internship?

Working here, I kind of hate to be looking up for Access's object names

(different from VB.Net and VB) and their methods, and prefer to be
spedning time on Java but at the same time I wonder whether I should
get this internship experience. It's useless $$ and cost me $6.00/day
to park downtown. I can teach a Chemistry class, i.e spend 12-15 hrs a
week total in a regular college to make the same montly income. In
fact, I have an offer to teach a class but this is from a school with
classes that go with monthly arrangment, i.e a course per month, and
so, it would be more than 15 hours a week but I don't have to take a
class everyweek. Teaching Chemistry classes for Nursing is a peice of
cake for me.

- Should I be bold and let go of the internship?  The good thing about
it is that my boss is a good person and he would give good
receommnedation but I am not interested in waiting for a state job.
Hate their beaurocracy.

BTW, I did some google search for Cheminformatics and saw this job ad
(via some group) and wish I already know J2EE well but I am still more
interested in Cheminformatics positions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Will be tasked with bioinformatic tool development and maintenance.
With some supervision, responsibilities will include, but will not be
limited to: prototyping and optimizing novel bioinformatic algorithms;
designing and implementing computational procedures based upon the
needs of the group; configuring and administering various computer
systems; implementing designs through programming with advanced
computing technologies; and other duties as assigned or required.

REQUIREMENTS:
Must have considerable familiarity with one or more object-oriented
programming computer languages such as Java or C/C++. Must demonstrate
advanced skills in many of the following areas: 64-bit systems, Oracle,
SQL, Tomcat/Apache, Java Server Pages, JavaScript, RMI, CORBA, HTML,
DHTML, UML, XML, Unix/Linux, Windows, TCP/IP and system administration.
Must have a strong interest in bioinformatics.

PREFERENCES:
Bachelor degree in computer science or bioinformatics