BSc (Hons) Comp Sci - Where next?!??

[UkGraduate]

Ok, a little background first.. i'm currently studying at a red brick university in the UK, about to commence my final year of a BSc(Hon) Computer Science degree. Problem is.. i can't decide what to do next. I'm considering a trip across to USA, in particular to north California, but I'm unsure as to how to go about it.

Does anyone know of websites, schemes or possible employers who would consider a student from the UK? Is there any certificates that you would recommend me getting as I've noticed employers here asking for MSCE etc.

Does anyone know what its like trying to get a job in Cali? Is there already a fight for jobs or are the companies the ones fighting for new employees?

I'd be grateful for any feedback at all relating to this as I'm seriously considering moving there once I complete my degree.

Thanks... G

 

[KornGeek]

In northern California, there are many unemployed programmers who are pursuing careers in car sales. The job market is really tough right now.

 

[Gatorajc]

Yea forget Cali. Just read a story on it. Its pretty bad. Its bad all around but it seems to be worse there because in the boom there was such a high concentration of tech there.

I don't think it matters where your from. Your level of experience is more important.

AJ


If at first you do not succeed, cheat!

 

[jrbarnett]

UKGraduate,

I finished my degree 4 years ago in the UK and have had major problems in finding steady employment anywhere.

I'm not sure of the exact nature of your course or areas of interest, but at the moment (in the UK) places that seem to be recruiting more than average are health service IT, ministry of defence and other governmental/public sector workers.

As for what courses to do? Well, I can recommend the ECDL - yes, I know you are overqualified simply by doing a computing degree, but employers seem to take it more seriously than an IT related degree at the moment (daft but true). You should be able to get it for free done over the summer break if you look in the local papers, as well as maybe a few MCP's.
As for other courses it depends what you want to do after graduation.
If you want to go into network admin I would recommend the Cisco/MCSE/CNE/RHCE type qualifications. However these are completely irrelevant if you want to design and develop web based client/server applications, for example or manage databases.

John

 

[papernate]

I'm thinking of living in the Bay area next summer, between my Jr and Sr year at school. I'm working on a BS in Comp Sci. I currently have a summer job with the local county government working on a database. Do you think I'll have any luck finding a summer internship/job out there for the summer?

 

[KornGeek]

Programmers with experience are fighting for the internships these days.

 

[UkGraduate]

Thanks for the info.. i reckon i'll stick to the UK and hope for the best!