IT Industry - Programming

[VisualDeveloper]

Why am I finding it so hard to break into the IT industry?

I have been applying to so many junior positions but I just happen to be stuck in the vicious cycle - "No Experience? No Job! - No Job? No Experience!"

What shall I do now?



Thanks,
Shuaib

 

[Iceplug]

IMHO, Try getting a small job and work up your experience or, if you can, try to apply for an internship.

(If you truly cant break out of this cycle)

 

[Divil]

I agree - get a job at a small company. Even though you may not be using your full potential there, the experience of the industry gained will be invaluable. While youre at it, knock up a portfolio with your most impressive work to show to prospective employers.

 

[wyrd]

Although I dont have a job or anything and am still in college, Ive found that you get your first experience through internships. If you got your BS without doing any internships then, well, thats bad.

Ya so do I have any useful advice other then bad news? Well, maybe. It seems to me that personal projects seem to go far in a resume. So my advice (take it with a grain of salt) would be to work on some programs (good ones, not little dinky one day jobs) and toss em on a CD to ship with your resume. It may help so you can say "hey! I may not have experience at a job, but I certainly know what Im doing!"

 

[VisualDeveloper]

Well, it just happens that both large and small companies are still requesting experience.

There arent any internships down where I live, London, UK, and the only option I seem to have is start creating a solid personal portfolio with example database applications.

What do you think my portfolio should contain?

Thanks,
Shuaib

 

[wyrd]

A portfolio should contain maybe 2-3 complete programs Id say. The reason I say only 2-3 is because they should be top quality products that show off your best, not 10-12 little projects. Quality over quantity.

You could maybe do a video store application where it keeps track of videos, customers, what videos are checked out, search options, etc, etc.. the works. Make sure it uses MS SQL, Access might be okay but I seriously doubt youll be using that in the real world (again, I dont have a job here Im just tossing in my itty bitty two cents)

 

[VisualDeveloper]

Well, it looks like im gonna be busy for the next few months now.

Ill start with a web project, maybe an online bookshop for a fictious company.

I do have a keen interest in web development but Im not really that creative when it comes to web design.

 

[Cassio]

Wyrd, woundnt he have to pay to keep a MS SQL Server online? I

 

[wyrd]

Well if youre doing a web project dont you need to pay for a host? Or are you just doing it locally on your system? If youre just doing it locally on your system then you shouldnt be paying for anything. Im pretty sure theres some generic MS SQL drivers you can get for development so you dont have to actually have MS SQL.

If you want others to view your site (resume n what not) then just find a cheap host that has MS SQL.
http://www.webhost4life.com/

 

[Cassio]

This is really cheap. Now I just need a credit card.

Thanks