PebHmong Discussion Forum

Hobbies & Interests => Computer & Technology => Topic started by: Vinncent on October 10, 2011, 08:28:27 PM

Title: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: Vinncent on October 10, 2011, 08:28:27 PM
After you get that IT degree, how do you get in the door?
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: Awesome on October 10, 2011, 11:15:58 PM
I was taking a dump in the toilet stall next to the VP of a service provider at McDonalds.  I got call a trouble call, took it, solved it before I finish my work on the toilet.  When I got out of the stall, he was washing his hands, told me he wanted to hire me. 

The lesson, talk as if no one is listening, but to get ahead in life, make sure you know what you are talking about.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: dianahmuas on October 11, 2011, 12:11:20 AM
don't wait till you graduate to look for jobs...start looking while you're in school, look for internships during breaks, and network with people...this goes for all careers...
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: thePoster on October 11, 2011, 06:12:15 AM
Umm go to school for it duh.


I know, I sound mean but yeah duh.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: kyrie_eleison on October 11, 2011, 09:45:54 AM
Quote from: thePoster on October 11, 2011, 06:12:15 AM
Umm go to school for it duh.


I know, I sound mean but yeah duh.

So they don't wind up working at a gas station like you, right?
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: TijLaugHmoob on October 11, 2011, 09:49:50 AM
I think you need to have friend to hook you up .........!
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: Peachy Fish on October 11, 2011, 10:23:42 AM
Quote from: Vinncent on October 10, 2011, 08:28:27 PM
After you get that IT degree, how do you get in the door?

For some, it's hard to get an IT position even after the IT degree. I know someone who got out w/an IT degree, but couldn't find a company willing to hire him, even though he had the grades, so he just stuck with sells. This guy should have networked.

No matter how much you dislike a person, keep their contact info. You just never know; they may be the one who helps you get your career going.

Here's a little motivational story...so my bf never went to college, but he's always been interested in the IT things. In HS he went to some tech school and rec'd a few certifications . Got his 1st IT job at an insurance company right out of HS. He jumped from the insurance company to Dell to the gov't to this contractor company and now back at the gov't.

The 2 things that helped him the most were: 1) his experience (getting his foot in when he was young) and 2) networking.

I'm not saying someone should opt to work instead of college. I'm saying, why not do both? Add this to networking, and you'll soon get through to the IT world.  :)
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: kaiyu on October 12, 2011, 11:52:39 AM
do volunteer work, join IT media clubs, get into network full of IT friends, do a side research project which deals with IT..etc...ther e's a lot of IT jobs out there that doesn't require much experience, so get into anything that deals with IT and then work your way up because employers want to see some experience.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: tubyaj on October 12, 2011, 01:09:48 PM
Move away from Fresno..... ;D  Competition is rough but apply to every position.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: zena on October 12, 2011, 01:50:39 PM
A lot of good replies were posted.  I agree that it is the experience and a great network that will get you in.

My husband's emphasis in college was IT Security and after graduation he couldn't get a job.  At the time, he had 2 years of experience and his network were his classmates and some professors but that was about it and he couldn't find a job.  He was an officer in the Computer Club and a 3.7 GPA student.  He also did an IT internship his last semester.  He wasn't willing to relocate to another state but I think if he did, I'm sure he would have found an IT job.  But, things turned out great anyhow.  He left the IT world and went into medical. 

I think you have to be flexible with relocation as well.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: zena on October 15, 2011, 10:31:22 AM
Quote from: 8v10un30sun on October 15, 2011, 12:12:48 AM
Your hubby was a hacker  :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o   O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0

Now he's a pharmacist? INTERESTING!

My dream when I was 13 years old was to work for the NSA.  When I was 19 years old, I bought the seminole book called Appled Cryptography and READ IT all :)  BEST BOOK EVER on security...Yet I don't do that either.  I design business systems to operate a corporation.  I used my understanding of computer science a lot for this :)  EXTREMELY unconventional but it is a joy!




I think it's great that you do use your degree for your career.  I'm not.

It's interesting how you were interested in security too.  Maybe it's just a difficult field to get in??  Husband was very good at it.  He built the security system for the college we attended including the the walk-in-clinic for the college.  He knew the ins and outs of the college.  It was a kick in the gut when no one would hire him.  It was his first taste of reality.

btw, he's a pharmacy manager.  But, he worked for it so it's nothing to boast about.  He is under a lot of pressure from the big bosses 'cause they gave him the crappiest store in that area and expect him to turn it around.  I know...he gets paid for it, but seriously, sometimes you wonder if it's worth it.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: Gutts on October 17, 2011, 11:38:42 PM
If your resume has passed the test and you were invited for the interview, you should congratulate yourself.  I think when it all comes down to it, it's really your social skills that will get you through your interview and into the doors.  Each company is different in culture, and have different expectations from the candidates they look for.

Good luck
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: celi on October 18, 2011, 01:16:00 AM
i think 8v10un30sun has the best answer so far.

here's my experience getting into the IT field.

it's tough and tougher if you're a petite asian female *seriously*!! I was in this situation once with ZERO experience and just a HS diploma.  

My resume was alright I think cuz i'll get interviews for the IT jobs I'd applied for (I guess in some sense I've got the knowledge/skills through personal passion) to bullshit my way in passing phone interviews, the first and second interviews, however without a college degree or any certs after 2nd interviews, i was very UNfortunate cuz I was never picked.  i'm assuming it's because i have zero experience and zero college degree/zero certz for the companies I'd applied for and like 8v10un30sun stated there's those who does have all that I didn't.

anyhow, once I got my foot back in college (tell you truth i was not the smartest student) but while still attending college I kept in touch with my networking IT gurus i've connected with through my non-technical-jobs throughout my working years...cuz while working dead end jobs, i knew IT guys were my strongest link so I befriended with IT people most and it's how I got into the IT field while still in college.

right now, IT is a very competitive field. just NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK and network.

my two cents: "build your bridge, don't ever burn it"-celi

good luck.
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: August Night on October 18, 2011, 10:24:03 AM
... but IT can be such a broad range of things.  Different fields can have different entry level points, know what I mean?  Starting at the bottom of the totem pole is hardware... no degree required as long as you're interested in tinkering around with computer parts.  Easiest route for someone off the street without any IT knowledge or experience. 

However, I agree that it's all about networking.  Difference between you and 50 other applicants for that one cushy job is who you know.   
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: Christa on October 18, 2011, 12:39:28 PM
Getting a degree doesn't prove that you have the skills to get the job done. Getting a degree is a step towards the right way, but you need to make sure that you can perform. When you're interviewing, that's when the interviewer(s) will know if you are capable by how you sell yourself to them.

I don't think there is a way on how to get a job. It all depends on how you make yourself stand out during the interview process. Brag if you need to!
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: celi on October 18, 2011, 06:08:24 PM
Quote from: August Night on October 18, 2011, 10:24:03 AM
... but IT can be such a broad range of things.  Different fields can have different entry level points, know what I mean?  Starting at the bottom of the totem pole is hardware... no degree required as long as you're interested in tinkering around with computer parts.  Easiest route for someone off the street without any IT knowledge or experience. 

However, I agree that it's all about networking.  Difference between you and 50 other applicants for that one cushy job is who you know.   

Very true that the IT field has different entry level points depending on the job you want.

I'm not into the networking-hardware-admin side of IT however i do know of a few network admin's who got into the field without a college degree through good networking buddies like August Night mentioned and they just work their way up --again this is possible because of "who you know" -AN   :)

Just make sure you talk the talk and walk the walk because some hiring managers will put your skills/knowledge to test before you move onto the next interview/hiring stage.

Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: dianahmuas on October 19, 2011, 03:21:13 PM
Quote from: moonangel on October 12, 2011, 01:50:39 PM
A lot of good replies were posted.  I agree that it is the experience and a great network that will get you in.

My husband's emphasis in college was IT Security and after graduation he couldn't get a job.  At the time, he had 2 years of experience and his network were his classmates and some professors but that was about it and he couldn't find a job.  He was an officer in the Computer Club and a 3.7 GPA student.  He also did an IT internship his last semester.  He wasn't willing to relocate to another state but I think if he did, I'm sure he would have found an IT job.  But, things turned out great anyhow.  He left the IT world and went into medical. 

I think you have to be flexible with relocation as well.

it's funny how i find that there are many people who began in the IT field and went into the medical vice versa...
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: tetrapod on October 19, 2011, 06:22:59 PM
Quote from: ilec on October 18, 2011, 01:16:00 AM
i think 8v10un30sun has the best answer so far.

here's my experience getting into the IT field.

it's tough and tougher if you're a petite asian female *seriously*!! I was in this situation once with ZERO experience and just a HS diploma.  

My resume was alright I think cuz i'll get interviews for the IT jobs I'd applied for (I guess in some sense I've got the knowledge/skills through personal passion) to bullshit my way in passing phone interviews, the first and second interviews, however without a college degree or any certs after 2nd interviews, i was very UNfortunate cuz I was never picked.  i'm assuming it's because i have zero experience and zero college degree/zero certz for the companies I'd applied for and like 8v10un30sun stated there's those who does have all that I didn't.

anyhow, once I got my foot back in college (tell you truth i was not the smartest student) but while still attending college I kept in touch with my networking IT gurus i've connected with through my non-technical-jobs throughout my working years...cuz while working dead end jobs, i knew IT guys were my strongest link so I befriended with IT people most and it's how I got into the IT field while still in college.

right now, IT is a very competitive field. just NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK and network.

my two cents: "build your bridge, don't ever burn it"-celi

good luck.


I was at Google for four days.  There were a lot of pretty Asian women there. 
Title: Re: How do you get into the IT field?
Post by: mrhmoobportland on October 23, 2011, 02:54:18 AM
Quote from: Peachy Fish on October 11, 2011, 10:23:42 AM
For some, it's hard to get an IT position even after the IT degree. I know someone who got out w/an IT degree, but couldn't find a company willing to hire him, even though he had the grades, so he just stuck with sells. This guy should have networked.

I got in without an IT or any other degree. ;)  I'm working with people with Associates and Bachelors degrees in IT and making more than them in a lead position.

It takes a long time to work your way up, unless you make powerful friends.  I moved up fast, but that's because I have good technical, people, and inter-office skills.  When people hire you, they want to know that you have the skills or can learn the skills, but also that you can get along with other people.  Simply having a degree or a piece of paper that says you did good in school means nothing, except for low entry level positions, and even those are rare these days.

I have a friend who was graduating from college soon, too, and he asked the same question.  I brought him to my office and gave him a job shadow day to see how things work.  He liked it very much, but was impatient and didn't want to listen to my advice.  You see, even with a degree I still wouldn't hire you (I'm on the hiring committee, haha) if you didn't have the experience or the right personality.  We look for education, experience, and people skills, but if you have enough experience or if you can WOW us (I will put your ass on the spot), I'll hire you on.  We're looking for three long term contractors right now with potential to transfer over into hire after a year as positions open.  Terms are 1 year with option to renew, unless you apply for a full-time employee opening as it comes up and you get it.  This is IT work supporting a large West Coast healthcare organization.  Range is in the $43k/year to start.

If you don't have experience, there are three ways you can get experience.