Starting an IT Career

[jackace]

I'm graduating from college with a degree in information technology management. I have also been working for the school as a network technician for almost 2 years now. I would like to be a network or system Administrator eventually but not 100% sure the best route to take. I have not done any certifications yet, but once finals are done it will probably be the next thing on my list.

I have started applying for jobs, many of them I meet all the required and most of the preferred qualifications, but I have not received any calls or emails. I know the job market is pretty tough right now, but it seems kind of weird to never be contacted about jobs that say entry level or level 1 in the description. If I won't even be considered for an "entry level" position without 3-5 years experience where do I start?

 

[Gibson486]

I'm graduating from college with a degree in information technology management. I have also been working for the school as a network technician for almost 2 years now. I would like to be a network or system Administrator eventually but not 100% sure the best route to take. I have not done any certifications yet, but once finals are done it will probably be the next thing on my list.

I have started applying for jobs, many of them I meet all the required and most of the preferred qualifications, but I have not received any calls or emails. I know the job market is pretty tough right now, but it seems kind of weird to never be contacted about jobs that say entry level or level 1 in the description. If I won't even be considered for an "entry level" position without 3-5 years experience where do I start?

you are gonna learn the many disappointments of job searching....

like when they say entry level, but they really want a masters with 3 years experience.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Just keep sending out applications. It could be rough going - some users here have reported that they've been job hunting for 5-10 months or more before getting anything. Just the nature of the job market at the moment (depending where you live of course).

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

continue to work at the school after graduation if that's possible.
that's how you build the resume to be able to say 3-5 years exp.

 

[jackace]

continue to work at the school after graduation if that's possible.
that's how you build the resume to be able to say 3-5 years exp.

Sadly that is not an option. The job is only available to current students in the IT program to build experience. Once you are done with your degree you are done with the job and they hire someone else. Friday is my last day.

 

[Pantlegz]

Most places will count exdcation at experience, maybe 50% of it anyway that plus your 2 years working for the school looks like the minimum requirements. It's a pretty tough market tho, I got lucky when I graduated I had a job within 2 months but I started looking in August and graduated in December. I would try to keep your job at the school get some certs and just keep sending out resumes. Eventually something will come along.

 

[jackace]

Most places will count exdcation at experience, maybe 50% of it anyway that plus your 2 years working for the school looks like the minimum requirements. It's a pretty tough market tho, I got lucky when I graduated I had a job within 2 months but I started looking in August and graduated in December. I would try to keep your job at the school get some certs and just keep sending out resumes. Eventually something will come along.

I have been sending out resumes since March. I have received 1 email, and they had me take 5 hours of online tests that were more word games then actual technical knowledge.

 

[Pantlegz]

I feel your pain, the job I got was one of two people that responed out of about 50 resumes that I sent out. Maybe set your sights a little lower, look for a helpdesk type position. Something is better than nothing. Certs will help too, even something basic like MCSE(or whatever they changed it to) and CCNA would probaby help a lot.

 

[chusteczka]

Written job descriptions typically include a list of preferred skills they want their applicant to possess, in addition to a degree. Do you possess any of the preferred skills for the positions you are interested in?

Maybe it is time to develop those skills. Pick a skill, anything you are interested in, and learn it. It does not matter whether you learn that skill on your own or through classroom study, unless there is a certification that can be gained from it.

You can get a degree as an art history major but that will not get you a job as a painter without actual painting skills and experience.

 

[child of wonder]

This doesn't help you much right now, but I can offer one piece of advice for your IT career in general:

Find something you like that is relevant to many businesses to specialize in. Don't necessary ignore all other aspects of IT, but being really good at something helps a lot.

Virtualization, networking, storage, databases, etc. are good examples.

Guys who have some experience here and there with a wide array of different technologies are a dime a dozen. Pick something (or it may pick you depending on what kind of jobs you work), get passionate about it, pursue certifications related to it, and you'll have the best chance at a promising career.

 

[jackace]

Written job descriptions typically include a list of preferred skills they want their applicant to possess, in addition to a degree. Do you possess any of the preferred skills for the positions you are interested in?

Yes I don't apply unless I meet almost all the required and at least 50% of the preferred. The problem is the biggest preferred requirement I lack is usually on the job experience.

 

[jackace]

This doesn't help you much right now, but I can offer one piece of advice for your IT career in general:

Find something you like that is relevant to many businesses to specialize in. Don't necessary ignore all other aspects of IT, but being really good at something helps a lot.

Virtualization, networking, storage, databases, etc. are good examples.

Guys who have some experience here and there with a wide array of different technologies are a dime a dozen. Pick something (or it may pick you depending on what kind of jobs you work), get passionate about it, pursue certifications related to it, and you'll have the best chance at a promising career.

yeah I really liked the virtualization and networking I have been able to do here at the university. I'm not an expert at either but I would really like to be. I did get to mess with installing ESXI and 3 windows server 2003 installs on the one box. I spent a lot of time googling and learning it and like it a lot.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This doesn't help you much right now, but I can offer one piece of advice for your IT career in general:

Find something you like that is relevant to many businesses to specialize in. Don't necessary ignore all other aspects of IT, but being really good at something helps a lot.

Virtualization, networking, storage, databases, etc. are good examples.

I'd add Sharepoint to that list as well -- it is VERY hot right now, particularly since Sharepoint 2010 was launched today.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Most places will count exdcation at experience, maybe 50% of it anyway that plus your 2 years working for the school looks like the minimum requirements. It's a pretty tough market tho, I got lucky when I graduated I had a job within 2 months but I started looking in August and graduated in December. I would try to keep your job at the school get some certs and just keep sending out resumes. Eventually something will come along.

wrong.
the 2 years he worked at school may count for something, but definitely not education.

if you look at requirements it's always bachelors degree in CS, MIS, etc. plus x years experience.

 

[Pantlegz]

the 2 years he worked at school may count for something, but definitely not education.

if you look at requirements it's always bachelors degree in CS, MIS, etc. plus x years experience.

right but most posting I've seen say soemthing like 4-5 years experience or BS in whatever and 1-2 years work experience. I know not all companies work like this but it seemed pretty common when I was looking less than 6 months ago. obviously this would only work for enty level jobs once you have a few years under your belt the education really doesn't matter all that much. If everything you're looking at requies a BS + 3-5 years you're not looking at entry level jobs and that would be a major issue.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I'd add Sharepoint to that list as well -- it is VERY hot right now, particularly since Sharepoint 2010 was launched today.

Sharepoint and VMWare, love em both

 

[Zargon]

you are having this problem because they probably have a handfull of guys like you applying, and twice as many with your education and experience

 

[jackace]

you are having this problem because they probably have a handfull of guys like you applying, and twice as many with your education and experience

Yes, I understand this, but I can't change that. I'm looking for ideas on things I can change.

 

[Zargon]

Yes, I understand this, but I can't change that. I'm looking for ideas on things I can change.

you said you only apply to jobs where you meet 50% of the nonrequired 'preferred' skills?

stop doing that, apply to EVERYTHING you qualify for period.

limiting yourself is only making it harder

 

[jackace]

you said you only apply to jobs where you meet 50% of the nonrequired 'preferred' skills?

stop doing that, apply to EVERYTHING you qualify for period.

limiting yourself is only making it harder

Well to be honest there are a lot of postings with a long list of required skills and I meet almost all of them except 1-2 items. I usually still apply to those jobs. If they have a list of preferred skills if I don't have at least some of those skills I usually don't apply, thinking I'm wasting my time and the recruiters, but I guess I probably should still apply.

 

[Zargon]

yup......but its not a waste once ONE of them calls!

 

[sourceninja]

Talk to everyone too ask them if they know anyone hiring. Most IT people have contacts in other areas and know about jobs that are open. They might be able to get your foot in the door. Networking is everything.

 

[Lucky777]

I graduated with a Bachelor's in Information Technology half a year ago. I'm still looking for a job. Life is good.

 

[jackace]

yup......but its not a waste once ONE of them calls!

Yeah you are right. I guess my thinking was, if entry level jobs are not calling, how am I going to get a call back for something even more advanced. Never hurts to try I guess especially in this economy. Not to mention how poorly many of the IT job descriptions are written.

 

[AAjax]

Move to Cailf. They don't care what degree you have, just if you can do the job.

I make good money no degree (network operations supervisor) but 10 years experience. If you had 1yr experience and could do the job no one would care.