Need Career Advice

[shmiller]

I'm hoping some of you can give me some career advice. I graduated with a BS in CS 9 months ago. There aren't many opportunities in IT in my area, but I was lucky to get a contract job 3 months before I graduated. I'm still here 1 yr later and still on contract.

Mostly, I have been writing VB applications and SQL Server stored procedures. I have also done a lot of work with MS Access (forms, modules, reports). I'm hoping to get hired permanently but there are no guarantees so I'm looking for other jobs. I have sent out tons of resumes and have not gotten a single response yet.

I'm wondering what I can do to make myself more marketable. I've thought about studying for some certs, but I don't know if it's worth the time and money. I would also like to move into other areas of programming besides VB. VB and Java were the core languages at my school. I really enjoyed Java, but if I can't find another VB/SQL programming job with a year of experience, I don't know how I would get a Java job with no experience.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shanti

 

[butchrecon]

Go get the certifications. They can do nothing but help you. Yea you have a degree, but you lack experience. A Microsoft certification or 2 may help your cause. James Collins
Field Service Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

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[mfgiord]

First, I am not a technical user, I am a "Top Notch" UNIX Administrator ... Keep getting the experience!!! Employers want to know if you can get the job done on time and under budget. The more experience you have, the easier it will be to find work. One other word, sounds like you are in your early twenties, don't get attached to one job, go out and experience as many different environments as you can before settling on one thing, see how different shops operate, look at the politics (and there will be politics!!) of the company because yea that is a big part. After you've been around a while then settle on one company then go after your certs (it will be a little easier as well and the company might pick up the tab).

GOOD LUCK!!

PS. Hook up with a few Head Hunters ....

 

[shmiller]

Thanks for the input. I actually just turned 30. I spent about 6 or 7 years going to school part time and got a BS in General Science. That was pretty useless, so I went back and spent 2 full-time years getting my CS degree.

I was just offered a permanent position today with the company I have been working for on contract. So I am going to take it and stay here for awhile. All the advice is still very valuable because I want to continue to learn new skills and technologies and make myself more marketable, so I will be ready when it is time to leave this job.

Thanks again,
Shanti

 

[mfgiord]

Not a problem, good luck in your career ....