How do you get into the IT field?

[Vinncent]

After you get that IT degree, how do you get in the door?

[Awesome]

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.

[dianahmuas]

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...

[thePoster]

Umm go to school for it duh.


I know, I sound mean but yeah duh.

[kyrie_eleison]

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?

[TijLaugHmoob]

I think you need to have friend to hook you up .........!

[Peachy Fish]

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. 

[kaiyu]

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.

[tubyaj]

Move away from Fresno.....   Competition is rough but apply to every position.

[zena]

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.

[zena]

Your hubby was a hacker     

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.

[Gutts]

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

[celi]

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.

[August Night]

... 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.   

[Christa]

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!