12-Week Preparation Schedule for Java Developer Role in NJ

Prepared for: Java Developer with 4.5 Years of Experience

Relocated to New Jersey, June 2025 | Awaiting H4 EAD | Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Certified

Objective: Secure a mid-level Java developer role in New Jersey by mastering AWS Certified
Developer Associate, building GitHub projects, and preparing for technical and behavioral
interviews.

Overview

This 12-week schedule prepares you for a mid-level Java developer role in New Jersey (targeting
$90,000$120,000, per Glassdoor 2025). It includes:
• AWS Certified Developer Associate preparation (8 weeks, leveraging AZ-900).
• GitHub projects: Task Management, E-Commerce, Finance Tracker apps.
• Coding practice (LeetCode), system design, and behavioral interview prep.
• Networking and resume/LinkedIn optimization to address employment gap (April 2025present).
Weekly commitment: 1520 hours (34 hours/day, 56 days/week).

Key Resources

• Free: AWS Skill Builder, AWS Free Tier, AWS Documentation, Baeldung, YouTube (FreeCode-
Camp, TechWorld with Nana), Microsoft Learn, LeetCode.
• Paid: Udemy (Stephane Maarek, $15), ACloudGuru ($30/month), Whizlabs ($20), Tutorials
Dojo ($15), AWS Skill Builder Exam Prep ($40).
• Tools: GitHub, [Link] (diagrams), LinkedIn, [Link].

Weekly Schedule

Week 1: Foundation and Resume Optimization

Goal: Refresh Java/Spring Boot, start Task Management project, optimize resume/LinkedIn.
Hours: 15
• Technical (5 hours):
– Review Java 11/17: multithreading, streams, collections (Java: The Complete Reference,
Oracle Tutorials, free).
– Refresh Spring Boot: REST APIs, JPA (Baeldung tutorials, free).
– Solve 5 LeetCode easy problems (arrays, strings).
• AWS Prep (3 hours):
– Study: Cloud basics (leverage AZ-900: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), AWS overview (EC2, S3, IAM).
– Task: Set up AWS Free Tier account; explore Management Console.
– Resource: AWS Skill Builders AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (free, 3 hours).
• Project: Task Management App (5 hours):
– Start: Set up Spring Boot with PostgreSQL, create user/task models.
– Resource: Baeldungs Spring Boot REST API tutorial.
• Resume/LinkedIn (2 hours):

1
 – Update resume: Add AZ-900, AWS Certified Developer Associate (Expected October
2025), highlight QuinStreet/IQVIA achievements.
– LinkedIn: Update headline (Java Developer with 4.5 Years of Experience | NJ, USA |
Awaiting H4 EAD), add AZ-900, list skills.
– Resource: [Link], LinkedIn guides on Indeed.
• Networking (1 hour):
– Join NJ Java Users Group ([Link]); send 5 LinkedIn connection requests to NJ
developers/recruiters.
Output: Resume/LinkedIn updated, AWS Free Tier account set up, Task Management app
started.

Week 2: Java Deep Dive and Project Progress

Goal: Strengthen Java/Spring, advance Task Management app, start AWS development.
Hours: 16
• Technical (5 hours):
– Study: Spring Security (JWT), WebSockets.
– Solve 5 LeetCode easy problems (linked lists, hash maps).
– Resource: Baeldungs Spring Security JWT, LeetCode.
• AWS Prep (4 hours):
– Study: AWS SDK for Java, S3, DynamoDB (map to Azure Blob Storage, Cosmos DB).
– Practice: Write Java code to upload a file to S3.
– Resource: AWS SDK for Java Documentation, Baeldungs AWS S3 with Java.
• Project: Task Management App (5 hours):
– Implement: REST APIs for task CRUD, JWT authentication.
– Resource: Baeldungs Spring Boot REST.
• Networking (2 hours):
– Send 10 LinkedIn connection requests (e.g., Cognizant, Verizon developers).
– Attend virtual NJ/NYC tech meetup ([Link]).
Output: Task Management app APIs functional, S3 Java code written, 15+ LinkedIn connec-
tions.

Week 3: AWS Development and Project Deployment

Goal: Learn API Gateway/Lambda, deploy Task Management app, start coding practice.
Hours: 16
• Technical (4 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (trees, stacks).
– Resource: LeetCode, [Link].
• AWS Prep (5 hours):
– Study: API Gateway (like Azure API Management), Lambda (like Azure Functions).
– Practice: Deploy Task Management apps REST APIs on API Gateway.
– Write: Java Lambda function for task notifications.
– Resource: AWS Documentation, YouTube: TechWorld with Nanas AWS Lambda.
• Project: Task Management App (5 hours):
– Add: WebSocket for real-time task updates.
– Deploy: On AWS EC2 or Heroku (AWS Free Tier).

2
 – Resource: AWS EC2 guide (free).
• Networking (2 hours):
– Send 10 LinkedIn connection requests; post about Task Management app on LinkedIn.
Output: Task Management app deployed, Lambda function written, 25+ LinkedIn connections.

Week 4: Security and System Design Intro

Goal: Master AWS security, start E-Commerce project, introduce system design.
Hours: 17
• Technical (4 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (graphs, dynamic programming).
– Study: System design basics (scalability, load balancing).
– Resource: System Design Primer (GitHub, free).
• AWS Prep (5 hours):
– Study: IAM roles, policies, KMS (like Azure Key Vault).
– Practice: Secure Task Management apps APIs with IAM; create IAM role for EC2.
– Resource: AWS Skill Builders AWS Security Fundamentals (free).
• Project: E-Commerce Platform (6 hours):
– Start: Set up Spring Boot microservices (user, product, order) with MySQL.
– Resource: Baeldungs Spring Boot Microservices.
• Networking (2 hours):
– Request 2 informational interviews via LinkedIn; attend NJ meetup.
Output: IAM implemented, E-Commerce project started, system design basics learned.

Week 5: Deployment and CI/CD

Goal: Learn AWS deployment, advance E-Commerce project, deepen coding practice.
Hours: 17
• Technical (5 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (arrays, sliding window).
– Practice: Design a URL shortener (System Design Primer).
• AWS Prep (5 hours):
– Study: Elastic Beanstalk, CodePipeline, CodeBuild (like Azure DevOps).
– Practice: Deploy E-Commerce microservices on Elastic Beanstalk.
– Resource: AWS Documentation, ACloudGuru (labs, $30/month).
• Project: E-Commerce Platform (5 hours):
– Implement: REST APIs for product/order CRUD, Kafka for inter-service communication.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 10 Java developer jobs (LinkedIn, Indeed).
– Send 10 LinkedIn connection requests.
Output: E-Commerce deployed on Elastic Beanstalk, 10 job applications submitted.

Week 6: Monitoring and Behavioral Prep

Goal: Master AWS monitoring, continue E-Commerce project, start behavioral prep.
Hours: 18
• Technical (5 hours):

3
 – Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (backtracking, heaps).
– Study: System design (caching, database sharding).
• AWS Prep (5 hours):
– Study: CloudWatch (like Azure Monitor), X-Ray.
– Practice: Add CloudWatch logs to E-Commerce APIs; use X-Ray for tracing.
– Resource: AWS Documentation, YouTube: TechWorld with Nanas CloudWatch.
• Project: E-Commerce Platform (6 hours):
– Add: Docker containers for microservices; deploy on AWS EC2.
– Document: README with architecture diagram ([Link]).
• Behavioral Prep (2 hours):
– Prepare 3 STAR stories (e.g., resolving a bug at QuinStreet).
– Practice: Explain H4 EAD (Awaiting approval, ready to start upon receipt).
– Resource: Big Interview (free guides).
Output: E-Commerce project Dockerized, CloudWatch/X-Ray implemented, STAR stories
prepared.

Week 7: AWS Practice and Finance Tracker Start

Goal: Test AWS knowledge, start Finance Tracker project, deepen system design.
Hours: 18
• Technical (5 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (graphs, greedy algorithms).
– Practice: Design an e-commerce system (System Design Primer).
• AWS Prep (5 hours):
– Take 1 full-length practice exam (aim for 70%).
– Review: Weak areas (e.g., IAM, Lambda).
– Resource: Whizlabs ($20, 300+ questions).
• Project: Finance Tracker (6 hours):
– Start: Set up Spring Boot with MongoDB for transaction storage.
– Implement: REST APIs for expense tracking.
– Resource: Baeldungs Spring Boot MongoDB.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 10 jobs; follow up on Week 5 applications.
– Send 10 LinkedIn connection requests.
Output: Finance Tracker started, AWS practice exam completed, 20 job applications total.

Week 8: AWS Exam and Project Deployment

Goal: Pass AWS exam, deploy Finance Tracker, continue coding practice.
Hours: 18
• Technical (4 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode medium problems (dynamic programming, trees).
– Review: System design trade-offs (SQL vs. NoSQL).
• AWS Prep (6 hours):
– Take 2 practice exams (aim for 80%).
– Review: Weak areas; schedule exam via Pearson VUE (USA, $150).
– Resource: Tutorials Dojo ($15), AWS Skill Builder Exam Prep ($40).

4
• Project: Finance Tracker (6 hours):
– Add: OAuth2 authentication (e.g., Google login).
– Deploy: On Azure App Service (leverage AZ-900) or AWS Lambda.
• Networking (2 hours):
– Attend NJ/NYC tech meetup; post about AWS prep on LinkedIn.
Output: AWS exam taken, Finance Tracker deployed, 30+ LinkedIn connections.

Week 9: Mock Interviews and Project Polish

Goal: Start mock interviews, polish GitHub projects, deepen system design.
Hours: 19
• Technical (6 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode hard problems (graphs, sliding window).
– Practice: Design a messaging app (System Design Primer).
• Mock Interviews (5 hours):
– Conduct 2 mock technical interviews (Pramp, [Link], free).
– Practice explaining Task Management project.
– Resource: Pramp (free).
• Project: All Projects (6 hours):
– Add: JUnit tests (80%+ coverage) to all projects.
– Document: Update READMEs with AWS/Azure deployment details, Swagger APIs.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 15 jobs; follow up on prior applications.
Output: 2 mock interviews completed, projects polished, 35 job applications total.

Week 10: Behavioral and System Design Focus

Goal: Deepen behavioral prep, advance system design, continue mock interviews.
Hours: 19
• Technical (6 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode hard problems (dynamic programming, heaps).
– Practice: Design an online bookstore (System Design Primer).
• Behavioral Prep (5 hours):
– Prepare 5 STAR stories (e.g., optimizing API at QuinStreet).
– Practice: Explain employment gap (Built AWS projects during H4 EAD wait).
– Resource: Glassdoor behavioral questions (free).
• Mock Interviews (6 hours):
– Conduct 2 mock interviews (1 technical, 1 behavioral).
– Focus: Explaining AWS project deployments.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 15 jobs; attend NJ hackathon or meetup.
Output: 5 STAR stories ready, 4 mock interviews total, 50 job applications.

Week 11: Interview Mastery and Portfolio Showcase

Goal: Refine interview skills, finalize portfolio, intensify job search.
Hours: 20

5
• Technical (6 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode hard problems (graphs, backtracking).
– Practice: Design a ride-sharing app (System Design Primer).
• Mock Interviews (8 hours):
– Conduct 3 mock interviews (2 technical, 1 behavioral).
– Practice: Whiteboard coding, explain E-Commerce architecture.
– Resource: [Link] (free/priced options).
• Portfolio (4 hours):
– Create GitHub Portfolio repo linking all projects.
– Add: Live demo links, screenshots to READMEs.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 15 jobs; follow up on prior applications.
Output: 7 mock interviews total, portfolio finalized, 65 job applications.

Week 12: Final Prep and Job Search Intensification

Goal: Polish interview delivery, secure interviews, maintain projects.
Hours: 20
• Technical (5 hours):
– Solve 5 LeetCode hard problems (advanced algorithms).
– Review: System design trade-offs (caching, sharding).
• Mock Interviews (8 hours):
– Conduct 3 mock interviews (2 technical, 1 behavioral).
– Practice: Explain H4 EAD, Finance Tracker project.
• Portfolio/Resume (5 hours):
– Update resume: Add AWS certification (if passed).
– Pin top 3 projects on GitHub profile.
– Tailor resume for 10 specific job postings.
• Networking/Job Applications (2 hours):
– Apply to 20 jobs; join H4 visa community on Reddit (r/h1b).
Output: 10 mock interviews total, 85 job applications, portfolio/resume finalized.

Final Notes

• H4 EAD and Employment Gap: Explain in interviews: Since April 2025, Ive built
AWS-deployed projects and earned AZ-900/AWS certifications to prepare for U.S. roles.
• NJ Job Market: Target companies open to H4 EAD (e.g., Cognizant, Infosys) and Azure/AWS
roles (Verizon, Prudential).
• AI Trends: Highlight AWS CodeWhisperer usage in projects (e.g., Used CodeWhisperer to
generate 20% of boilerplate code).
• Registration: Register AWS exam in USA via Pearson VUE ($150, online or NJ center)
for convenience (minimal cost difference vs. India).