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by jacmari 1 view

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Well, I'm graduating from college soon, getting my bachelor's degree in computer information systems. I'm at that point where I'm looking for a job, and running into disappointment because of the requirements. A lot of the IT jobs don't want entrylevel workers. Most want work experience, which I rarely have. Right now I'm an intern maintaining web pages and other admin tasks. I feel so discouraged. Does anyone have advice for me? to keep me motivated. Would having a lot of temporary jobs be best to get experience?

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by marrots

Hi, I'm still going to school for my degree and I understand the frustration you express about having limited work experience. Your idea of having lots of temporary jobs is exactly the idea I have. Another good idea which was shared with me was to see if you can "shadow" someone for several hours a week without pay for learning purposes. It might turn out to be a good lead.....especially if they like you. I'd like to know how you resolve this for when it is my turn!

by steve h

I am just getting out of a similar situation.

I am switching professions from administration to IT. I have lots of related experience and several professional qualifications (CNA, A+). You may have to lower your expectations a little, it may beworth taking a job just for the experience and to get your foot in the door. Its always easier to move up in small steps than to try for a big jump and fail.

What I did just make a CV up, attach a covering letter and email it to every agency andcompany I could find. I must have sent out in excess of 2000 CV's this way.

Remember 2 thing, what they ask for in adverts and what they will take interviews for may be wildly different.

The company I am now working for got an agency copy of my CV, the one I made has over a page of experience/abilities listed, theirs had 3 lines. I was able to impress at the interview and got the job.

Also do not give up hope, after 2000 tries I got a job, just remember it may be the next one that you apply for that you get.

Good luck and good hunting.

by tekmb

I have no degree, 6+ years experience, but things are a bit slow now as we all know.
What I will say is this get your foot in the door and put your time in doing hopefully what you like.

The benefits of your degree will come into play a couple years down the road especially with the big fortune 500 companies (where you have to have a degree to work for them)
For now learn what you can from whom ever you can and that way you can figure out what you want to specialize in.

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