Salaam All, I’m going to make this a 2 question thread:
Many of the jobs in the tech field require senior personnel with many years of experience behind them and as for the very few “recent grad” / “entry-level” positions that I have come across require at least a minimum of 2 years experience. My question is how can a new grad get their foot in the door when they lack experience…and don’t have “connections”?
With which skills/technologies should a new grad (tech field) familiarize themselves? I’ve come across some areas that totally unknown to me: ie crystal reports, razor’s edge etc…
Many firm look for experience, even if you are a new grad. Experience can be gained during studies with a parttime job or during summer vacation job.
When I was doing my technical & computer studies, I worked part-time during evening time at H&M. This is how I gained some knowledge of computers, communication, working situation, selling, ordering, telephoning, yes even telephone behaviour has to be learned. Eventually this experience helped me to get my current senior technical job at a bank.
Hinna, which tech field are you related to? i mean, is that programming related or engineering related or IT related..???
1.
if its programming related or IT related, then i would suggest you to start working on a simple, very simple, project. You can use this project to show the employer that wat you learned you have used to create a WORKING example.
I am not a grad yet, i am in 3rd yr CS, but i have done 3 programming jobs.. all different from each other.... i remember how i got my first job.. i thought i had no experience and they won't bother hiring me.. but then when i showed them my own project portfolio they were impressed.... so i got the job.. once u get job.. even if its a small one.. and might not sound exciting to you but once u have that job for awhile and it counts as ur experience u will get a better job (like i do now) with little ease..
2.
Again, if IT or Programming related... i would suggest you to get familiar with the .NET platform, as many companies have started to develope using .NET .. also get some familiarity with TESTING softwares and Procedures.. (always room for entry level testers!!!)
It is a very difficult time Hinna. I recently graduated and had no luck in getting a real job for like months now. I have been contacted by one of my previous employers and they offered me a job that provdes a goood expereince but with little money. I thought it is a better investment because experience is what I need right now. I'm currently working on asp, databases and .NEt platforms.
Like anso mentioned start working on an independent project. These days its all about provding web services to your clients. Get into ".Net platform". A good individual project for you would be to design and DEVELOP a dynamic website that interacts with a database.If you are interested and need a specific topic let me know. I have some in mind..
This way it will look good in your portfolio or your cover letter. The employer will be immpressed when he sees you are working on a real project and that will also give you an edge on other entry level applicants. Get productive as soon you can, just simply don't sit and wait for a call.
Another suggestion : Keep yourself updated with the current technologies. You don't have to know everything but essential stuff. What I do is pick up the chicago tribune and see what language or software is in demand. I jot down all the langauge,software application and what not on piece paper.I take out like one two hours every day and extract as much information I can from google search , books etc. Hey being an IT major gotta know everything can't limit myself to only stuff that I studied in school.Like I said you don't have to be an expert but for instance if somebody asks you about Crystal Report you won't be like " huh" atleast you can talk about it.
Look into working in government jobs in the technical sector. Governments are often ready to hire new graduates. The pay is usually decent for a beginner. Also consider contacting temp agencies.
well, i think a lot of people have given some good information. In technology, it's crucial to establish yourself in a certain field, and do some projects as an independent contractor/free-lancer - if youare unable to get a full-time job.
See, the analytical part; the problem solving and logic part will remain more or less the same in any kind technological field you are in, so each platform will inherit that from 'you' as an application developer. Now, knowing every single software out there is just impossible. So, don't get intimidated from what you don't know..it really won't matter. You may need to know just certain tools, to make a decent living, and can be satisfied with what you are doing.
If you are planning to go in the internet related technologies, then web services is the hottest field at the moment. A lot of companies are using .Net based platforms. But, you could also use J2EE just as easily, and for small to midsized web services, PHP/nuSOAP, to get exactly the same applications done and more or less same results.
Apart from websites, I am solely focusing on the flash framework which includes making dynamic applications using Flash MX and Flash Communication Server, and tying various components in PHP/nuSOAP, Coldfusion MX, and databases (mostly MySQL) together. So, I may never know about crystal reports, or details of any software that I may never need, unless absolutely required.
Although, I will look for a project in the .Net platform, since it will be crucial to know about it as much as possible, sometime in the very near future..
NYA yaara, it's called grunt work or plain mazdoori, and often at times in the beginning, it does not pay. But you learn, and learn and develop your portfolio. I am working with only one core objective, to be working out of seattle in the next 4-6 months as a contractor, but I still have to find a good contract there. Yes, it's the high value of the american dollar, the market is ten times bigger, and the americans are just so easier to deal with when it comes to business..so the point is, I am just trying to do as much application development on small projects in some core technologies, which i believe will start to payoff. But, no 9-5 corporate job for me..i think i am through with that for the rest of mah life..
ok....so what happens if the person has no interest what so ever in web designing/developing field....and hypothetically lets remove hard core Networking as well...where does this leave an IT person. I mean what are other options beside these two?
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*Originally posted by Jal_Pari: *
ok....so what happens if the person has no interest what so ever in web designing/developing field....and hypothetically lets remove hard core Networking as well...where does this leave an IT person. I mean what are other options beside these two?
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try to find entry level job...like a helpdesk job..support over the phone..thats where alot of ppl start and they move on to better jobs, hopefully within the same company..i think anyone who knows even little about computers can get a helpdesk job..once you have a job you can specialize in any area
try to find entry level job...like a helpdesk job..support over the phone..thats where alot of ppl start and they move on to better jobs, hopefully within the same company..i think anyone who knows even little about computers can get a helpdesk job..once you have a job you can specialize in any area
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You know many of these "entry-level" help desk positions require a minimun of 2 years call centre experience....I don't understand how it can be an "entry-level" position and yet ask for experience...
^ so its good to do an internship or co op while you are in college...that gives you enough exp to get these kinda entry level jobs...but i think if u have a good resume and you can get an interview then its up to you to get the job or not