Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8

Abxtract
I'm considering to take the Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 to transit to a career in software engineering. But many people seem to think it doesn't help to achieve my career aim of becoming a software engineer or machine learning engineer.
I have a degree in mathematics so I believe a certification can show that I'm serious about programming. Or should I just focus my time on my side projects?
I'm considering to take the Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 to transit to a career in software engineering. But many people seem to think it doesn't help to achieve my career aim of becoming a software engineer or machine learning engineer.
I have a degree in mathematics so I believe a certification can show that I'm serious about programming. Or should I just focus my time on my side projects?
Comments
https://www.udemy.com/oracle-java-associate-certification-exam-course-1z0-808/learn/v4/overview
I would side with the projects, but the OCP would nice too.