Hello folks, I am a soon to be gra

[muddyb]

Hello folks,
I am a soon to be graduating student and am preparing myself for the IT career of my dreams. The problem is that I can not find a job that will allow me to show what I can do with what I learned. Do companies still take on internships and if so, are there some that are paid? I don't need to make the "big bucks" nor do I expect to at this juncture. I really want to be mentored by a more experince and can show me the ropes. A little more about myself; I chose the Internet Information System path in my school because I am very visual and love creativity. I have a working knowledge of designing and programming web pages and have even worked on my first site.(not paid.....client didn't like it and was in a hurry) I have another project in the works, but the client has not given me the information needed to produce the site. I have experince in MS FrontPage, ( I perfer to use Evrsoft to edit and build the sites.) PHP, Python, JScript, VBasic, HTML,XTML,XML, and I am currently learning Linux.(this is why I am writing you now.)If anyone could advise me on what is next on the to do list, I would be very appreciative. Oh, before I forget, I have checked the different online job searches and news papers, but to no avail.
thanks much.
dave

 

[Gatorajc]

I graduated a couple of years ago and have been working professionally for a little over a years. I was in pretty much the same boat. The CIS degree with the the IIS path. First the 2 cents everybody gave me then my .0002 cents.

Most jobs are not posted. So that means networking. Not the computer kind the people kind. Times are tough and a job is not going to jump out at you(Not fun I know but its turned into who you know not what you know, at least for your first job anyway). Go to a computer related professional organization or see if anyone you know, knows anyone in the field. Next keep your skills sharp at home. IT must be the only field you can make your own experince at home. Design pages, build a network. Not only does this show experience but shows enthusiasim always a plus. Last but not least (something I wish I would have done) something I picked up from reading the forums. VOLUNTEER, go to a school or religious place and offer to help. Schools are the best. Being you want to do web design teachers would love help designing a site for them to help their students at home. (I have a sister that I helped do that)

Anyway now my advice. No matter what job you get work hard and show your skills every chance you get. Even if you are asking for help on something unrelated. I had a job doing something unrelated to computers but I worked hard and asked a AVP for help with some school stuff I had to do. Well he helped me out when he could and he saw skills that I had and now I work for him. (Great job) which brings me to my other advice when you get a job. Keep your options open. I was dead set I wanted to do Networking in school but after some exposure I see I do not like it and love Database management and some developing.

Hope this helped a little if not print it out and burn it on a cold day to keep warm.

Good Luck.

 

[BeckahC]

I can only say this - start at the bottom and work your way up. Don't expect your "dream job" first time around. Expect to get experience and more markeatability with the job that gets added to your resume. Don't expect to stay in the same place for more than 5 years (even that is a lot for some places and some people) Go with the flow and whatever you are doing, work hard at it and give it your all. They will see you work hard and care aout what you do, and that will pay off, in one way or another.

HTH! Good Luck! BeckahC