To start a career in software development, should i go for .net or J2EE?

I have not worked a lot in both technologiesbut familiar with object oriented stuff and C.

definitely .net, as a start, .net programmers average higher salary than j2ee. other reason: .net uses a standard visual studio.net tool which is easy to use and standardized also with the help of MSDN library which has all the solution if your stuck somewhere. while j2ee has several tools and each has its pros and cons which would probably delay your career start with confusion of selecting the best tools. since your familiar with C it would be much easier if you start with visual c++.net, also java uses quite different syntax and concept it would make it harder for you. both are object oriented.

.NET ROCKS. Learn C# and you are the God, oops i mean Goddess!! Its too easy and the Visual Studio makes it even more simpler. With .NET you can integrate other languages too, like java,C++ etc.
And for web developement, try php, try it with care. You will get addicted to it. ;)

Depends on what projects you want to work on. .net is limited to the Windows world and won't help you with any Unix systems, such as are being introduced to public administration. J2EE experience will allow you even to create software for mobile phones and other handhelds.

I do both, and personally I would sugest starting with a low level language, rather than jumping into one or the other. Learn C. From C you can still go either way - t is very similar to java, and can also be used as a basis for C#.

.net is likely to take more and more of the internet market, as it's handling of services is amazing. Java will continue to rule in apps until .net moves most online.

You should ask yourself what you want to end up working on. If it is web based programs then go for .net and if it is applications (desktop) you can go for java.

But start with something you can move either way with (I suggest C).

J2EE give you more $$money$$
I like .NET and find it easier to learn, but at the end of the day, i am in J2EE field.