First, im sorry but my english is too hard...
You can consider java if you wish develop enterprise apps.
Desktop apps in java is very hard and too slow.
java is elegant language in OO concepts.
java is "write once, run anywhere", meaning "portable application".
the java sdk is scallable, since cel phone, up to mainframe computers.
Theres a great search in job for java devellopers. get a search in job sites and compare with delphi and java.
Java has support from leading industies as Sun and IBM.
The great professional is not just know a computer language. some background is a "must" differential.
Tips: to take "good practices" and "OO concepts", i suggest that you first make a course in OO (if you dont have, of course). "Think Objectively".
Second, learn formal specification in software development. A great tip is UML and "Design Pattern". a lot of links about patterns:
A great book is "Applying UML and Patterns - Craig Larman - ISBN 0-13-748880-7".
When you experienced java programmer, you can try be a "Certificated Java" by Sun.
Regards,
Mario Pinto Monteiro