1. Experience,
Experience, Experience
I can't stress how important having some actual experience is
before you graduate college and start looking for a job is. Having a college degree will definitely get
you some consideration, maybe even a phone screening that could lead to an
in-person interview. But, it is that
relevant work experience that will really determine whether or not that Tech
Manager thinks you would be a good fit and will be willing to take you on and
the rest of the competition you are graduating with who did not bother.
This can sometimes be a Catch-22 situation where you might
ask, "How can I get experience for the jobs I want, if no where will give
me a shot?" I will give my answer to this question in a future post!
2. Get With Your
School About CO/OPS And Job Partnerships
This is something I did not do, but I wish I did, and that
is doing a school co/op or a similar job program. Especially going into your Junior year, seriously
consider doing this for a job in your major.
They often pay higher than most part time jobs you would do otherwise in
college, and you will also get that invaluable experience as well. So, if your school has a career center, definitely
stop by there and see what they can offer.
I had concerns about the fact of the randomness of my school schedule,
but these companies know you are in school, and expect to have to be flexible.
3. Start Getting Some
Certifications...At Least Your A+
The job market is competitive, anything that you can do to
give yourself an edge on the other hundreds of applicants applying for the same
job you better do. Adding some
certifications to your resume will do just that. The first certification I earned that helped
me receive my first IT position was the CompTia A+ certification. This is really a foundation certification
that is not difficult for a future IT professional to earn, and is often a
minimum requirement for most if not all entry technical positions.
From your A+ certification you can decide what future path
of certifications you want to go down. I have since become a Microsoft
Certified IT Professional/Solutions Associate.
4. Know Your Long
Term Career Goal, But Be Flexible In The Path
You may want to be a
System or Network Administrator or Project Manager or some other cool IT
position, and for some it may be a straight shot to that role. But for the majority of IT majors it is not
going to be that way. Be prepared for it, stay driven, but do not stress out
about. The journey you will take will be
different from your friend that is in your class. Ultimately, you may find out
that what you wanted to do is not what you really want to do. So take in all the experience, and enjoy the ride.
5. "If it's meant to be, it will be"
One of my IT instructors told my class this one day
discussing his own experiences and offering some advice. It has stuck with me
and helped keep me peace during my job search, and I hope you take these words
in as well. Applying for the job you
want, going through phone screenings, actual interviews where you are sitting
in front of panels, and receiving rapid fire questions and then not being
offered the position is a humbling experiencing, if you are not already
humbled. You will apply to dozens of
jobs and be lucky if you get one or two call backs, and "if it's meant to
be, it will be". Go with your gut,
try not to settle for something that you don't want, but also be flexible for a
different position that will give you valuable experience, and again...enjoy
the ride.
