Not sure how to apply myself after college graduration. (Need advice from IT people)

[ibex333]

So I just recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Administration with concentration in Data Communications.
(don't ask.. it was the closest thing to computer science in this college)

I did very well. I got a 3.7 GPA, and I got an award for excellence in computer science. (4.0 GPA in all computer related classes)

I was lucky enough to get a job in my college through a reference as a computer lab technician.... (you know, the guy who loads paper in the printer in the computer lab in your college and answers all your questions about why your internet page wont load or how to make a footer in your office document)
I worked at this job for 2 years now, and now, after graduating I was hoping that I could... you know... move on?

As I suspected, this is proving EXTREMELY difficult. I am sending out resumes like crazy, but the only replies I am getting are from contractors for 3-6 month long contract positions with tiny pay which is not even enough to rent out a studio apartment. (note the city I live in on the left)

I am feeling very confused and lost, and I'd love to hear some advice on how to APPLY myself.

I am definitely not going back to college. Enough of that, at least for now. Not only do I not have the money to do so, but I feel like I will go insane if I have to keep coming home at 11pm knowing there is a pile of homework waiting to be done by tomorrow.

So I am thinking what to do while I am looking for a better job, and what can I do to get a better job faster. I was thinking of studying for a MCTS certification or maybe even Cisco CCNA, but I am leaning toward MCTS since Cisco is a little too hard without access to all necessary equipment on daily basis. But then... Are these certs even worth all the time and effort?

Job wise, my expectations are realistic.. I think. ..


I understand that with my set of skills I cant ask for more than 30-45k/year, but the constant contract offers with $13-14/hour are simply insulting.
It would be ok if I was the age most people finish college at, but lets just say I am a lot older than that. So much older, that I am embarrassed to even say it.

I am lucky that my parents are not even hinting at me having to move out, but I know that I have to move out and do it as fast as possible.

I am not sure what is hurting me... Lack of experience on my resume? Crappy format?
I spent quite some time on google researching these things and revising my resume accordingly...


What do you think I should do? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

 

[Matthiasa]

Umm that $13-14/hr is the 30k a year you are asking for, if you are able to get any over time at all.
Yes no benefits, typically, but when young most of that stuff usually doesn't matter and depending on age parents could still cover you.
But really with good grades, assuming even an okay school, you really shouldn't rule out getting a masters degree.

 

[saratoga172]

I would say keep at it and work on your interviewing skills. The big part of the resume is to get your foot in the door...and to get that phone call from the company. You don't want to misrepresent your skillset but you can stretch a bit.

Post up your resume and we can give you some pointers.

I'm not entirely familiar with the NYC area so I can't speak for opportunity, but in the Dallas area where I am there are tons of jobs open. And I would say something in the $35k range starting out isn't awful depending where you live. That would put you about $17/hr.

I would highly recommend getting some certs done while you are looking for a job. It will make you extremely more marketable. If not for the knowledge base than from the perspective that you are willing to spend your own time and money to learn and get certified on concepts. It looks good.

On your resume though I would say try to put as much pertinent information on the first page as possible. If it doesn't relate to the job it probably isn't very important to the hiring manager. The exception I've seen is management skills/experience. Can help show you are able to handle pressure and such.

Worst comes to worst you can do a 3-6 month contract while looking for a job. Try to negotiate on the higher end of the pay range. But that will at least give you real world job experience to put on your resume.

 

[SirStev0]

I know starbucks is always higher college grads.

 

[chedrz]

Network. Meet people who are in your desired field in any way possible. It doesn't matter if it's through a part-time job you have to take for a while or a mutual friend. Knowing somebody who knows somebody is probably the easiest and best way to find a job right now. And don't feel guilty for exploiting any relationships you have to get a job, because odds are if you do it right, you're not going to use anybody and everyone involved will feel good knowing you got a job through them.

Sincerely, a History major who just got an IT job through a (soon-to-be-former) co-worker's boyfriend.

 

[yh125d]

Another college grad with a business degree wondering how to find a job


Pro tip: Learn a skill

 

[JS80]

3.7 from Touro college won't make you a standout. Go take the entry level jobs and start building your resume.

 

[ioni]

So I just recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Administration with concentration in Data Communications.
(don't ask.. it was the closest thing to computer science in this college)

If the college didn't have the major you wanted, why did you go to it? Anyway, I couldn't find a job after getting my bachelor's either. So I stuck around and got my Master's. Was able to get a pretty kick ass job after that. You didn't really mention what kind of job you are looking for, but no matter what kind of job it is, being willing to move really opens up your options.

 

[nonameo]

If the college didn't have the major you wanted, why did you go to it? Anyway, I couldn't find a job after getting my bachelor's either. So I stuck around and got my Master's. Was able to get a pretty kick ass job after that. You didn't really mention what kind of job you are looking for, but no matter what kind of job it is, being willing to move really opens up your options.

My guess is affordability and proximity. Not all of us have a nice college next door, or the funds to go wherever we want.

 

[Destiny]

You will have to work for it... work hard to get the job you want, even if you have to get your foot into the firm through an entry level position. Then scan that firm's job board for a chance to transfer to a position that you want.

Unless you built a great network from your college years - it will be mostly a grind. I refered a few of my friends from college to positions they were looking for from other employed friends in other industries. You also have to understand with the economy, firms offering salaries are not what they were before 2007.

A college degree doesn't guarantee anything = you actually have to work HARDER to get to the job/career you want. Also some luck does come into play...

 

[Leros]

Do you have any experience in the job you're trying to get? Did you do any internships while you were a student?

 

[Rumpltzer]

At what point do you become less insulted with the "constant contract offers with $13-14/hour"? Maybe take one of them, gain some experience, and have enough money to eat and live?

Are you getting interviews? If you're getting interviews, but you're getting no job offers, it's you and not your resume or background.


We interviewed a dude last week with decades of experience that's right up our alley. He's been managing engineers for decades, and he's now applying for a job as an engineer (the type he's been managing). His personality and demeanor versus what he's bringing to the table (from what we can tell from the interview) makes him unworthy of consideration even with decades of experience in our EXACT field of interest.


There's always stripping. Strippers can make good money. You're a chick, right?

 

[rchiu]

Yeah, get certification first. That will at least get you noticed for entry level jobs. But why MS technologies and Networking? With a business and data background, I'd focus on Java related certifications for building enterprise applications.

 

[Destiny]

Job wise, my expectations are realistic.. I think. ..


I understand that with my set of skills I cant ask for more than 30-45k/year, but the constant contract offers with $13-14/hour are simply insulting.
It would be ok if I was the age most people finish college at, but lets just say I am a lot older than that. So much older, that I am embarrassed to even say it.

I am lucky that my parents are not even hinting at me having to move out, but I know that I have to move out and do it as fast as possible.

I am not sure what is hurting me... Lack of experience on my resume? Crappy format?
I spent quite some time on google researching these things and revising my resume accordingly...


What do you think I should do? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

1) It is okay to have those kind of expectations, but realistically - kind of have to change your attitude about "insulting offers" and expected pay/salary... because there are people out there probably with your same degree, skill set and or better experience taking that "insulting offer" - basically there are ALOT more people now a days applying for the same job and they are just as qualified if not more qualified = why pay is low.

2) Contract jobs offering "$13-$14 an hour." More Companies are reaching out to "temporary employment staffing firms" to hire temporary "Contract Workers" for lower pay. The MAIN reason for this is so companies do not have to give you benefits, vacations, 401k, Medical, etc that are additonal costs to higher salaries because you are a "Temporary Contract" employee. This is also a good way for Companies to "feel you" or "observe" you doing the same work that a real full time employee would do = if you are a bum or not live up to their expecations they only lost $2000 and not $3000-$5000.

3) Two of my close friends started out as contract employees making "$13-$14 an hour"... The temporary employment staffing firm assigned them 3 month contract jobs every time one ends... eventually they got assigned to contract jobs at Southern California Edison... when their contract was over, Southern California Edison offered them FULL TIME positions. One works there for 5 years now and makes well over $100k a year... the other worked there for 2 years and makes over $70k a year...

If you get offered an "insulting offer" but it is in the field of your major and what you want to have as a career... my advice is take it... network with fellow "contract employees" and people/employees at the site that you are assigned with the contract job for. With more experience and expanding your network - your chances of landing or getting "referred" by someone in your network is better.

Don't take this advice the wrong way... I'm giving you the realistic view of what is out there! Before my current job, I have over 10 years of retail management and mid-level management = I do all the interviews for my firm and I make all the hiring and firing decisions...

 

[her209]

Yeah, get certification first. That will at least get you noticed for entry level jobs. But why MS technologies and Networking? With a business and data background, I'd focus on Java related certifications for building enterprise applications.

Two things that should never go together.

 

[DCal430]

So I just recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Administration with concentration in Data Communications.
(don't ask.. it was the closest thing to computer science in this college)

I did very well. I got a 3.7 GPA, and I got an award for excellence in computer science. (4.0 GPA in all computer related classes)

I was lucky enough to get a job in my college through a reference as a computer lab technician.... (you know, the guy who loads paper in the printer in the computer lab in your college and answers all your questions about why your internet page wont load or how to make a footer in your office document)
I worked at this job for 2 years now, and now, after graduating I was hoping that I could... you know... move on?

As I suspected, this is proving EXTREMELY difficult. I am sending out resumes like crazy, but the only replies I am getting are from contractors for 3-6 month long contract positions with tiny pay which is not even enough to rent out a studio apartment. (note the city I live in on the left)

I am feeling very confused and lost, and I'd love to hear some advice on how to APPLY myself.

I am definitely not going back to college. Enough of that, at least for now. Not only do I not have the money to do so, but I feel like I will go insane if I have to keep coming home at 11pm knowing there is a pile of homework waiting to be done by tomorrow.

So I am thinking what to do while I am looking for a better job, and what can I do to get a better job faster. I was thinking of studying for a MCTS certification or maybe even Cisco CCNA, but I am leaning toward MCTS since Cisco is a little too hard without access to all necessary equipment on daily basis. But then... Are these certs even worth all the time and effort?

Job wise, my expectations are realistic.. I think. ..


I understand that with my set of skills I cant ask for more than 30-45k/year, but the constant contract offers with $13-14/hour are simply insulting.
It would be ok if I was the age most people finish college at, but lets just say I am a lot older than that. So much older, that I am embarrassed to even say it.

I am lucky that my parents are not even hinting at me having to move out, but I know that I have to move out and do it as fast as possible.

I am not sure what is hurting me... Lack of experience on my resume? Crappy format?
I spent quite some time on google researching these things and revising my resume accordingly...


What do you think I should do? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Not sure, but don't settle for anything less than 20 an hour with at least good health care benefits. With a good college degree it is dumb to take any less. IF you must take less, make sure it is temporary