Written on 4:27 PM by Robert
I've been working as an intern now for about 6 months, and I have to say that it's been the best career choice I've ever made. I would not have been here if it wasn't for the fact that I decided to go back to school for a Master's degree. In 6 to 9 months, I should have my degree in hand. I will also have a solid year of C# experience under my belt. Which one of these two are most valuable? I suppose it's a matter of debate.
In one of my previous posts, "
Is a Bachelor's Degree Enough Nowadays?", I explored the possibility of higher education being more valuable than work experience based on what I was seeing as a job hunter at that time. That article ignited some debate about the validity of that statement. I have to clarify my position and stating that a combination of both "upgrades" are important when looking for new opportunities.
A computer professional (whether they specialize in hardware or software) searching for a lucrative position should look at his or her situation objectively. You need to ask the following questions:
- Have I learned something new this year?
- Will another degree benefit me?
- Am I focusing on the right things in this field?
Learning the latest and greatest technologies (hardware or software) will give you an edge in the job pool. Mentioning these skills in your resume will get you noticed above all others.
If you don't have a degree, think about getting one. Applying for an available position is a very competitive process and you need whatever edge you can get above the other applicants.
If you like what you do but are getting bored, then maybe you need to learn a new programming language (for example) and try coding with that for a while. You are still doing what you love to do, but adding a new twist and breathing new life into your skillset.
A degree, as well as experience, are just tools - means to an end. The same can be said about certifications. We can debate about which one is more valuable than the other, but the bottom line is getting THAT JOB by any means necessary. Go into that interview room with added confidence knowing that you added that little extra something to your resume.
I've mentioned internships, degrees, certifications, and new skills as ways to enhance your situation in the job market.
So what other things can an unemployed computer professional do to help them with their job search situation?
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Written on 11:53 AM by Robert
It's been a while since I've blogged about my journey through unemployment, but now I have a few lessons to share about my experience. Hopefully you can apply some of these ideas in your situation.
- Learn Open Source! If you're a programmer, or aspire to be one, learn some Open-Source languages. Get that under your belt and add it to your resume. These are some of the only programming languages that are ok to learn without having the work experience to back it up.
- Be a temp! Find a local staffing agency that may be willing to utilize these new skills as a temp or a consultant. This will add to your resume and give you credibility so you can have a better footing when the job market turns around.
- Go back to school. Whether you need to complete your Bachelor's degree or continue with a Master's degree, elevate your educational worth by making this investment. Obviously you can't afford it now, so get a loan and head to an inexpensive but well-known school. This will also increase your career's net worth.
- Map out your career. I've never done this while I was younger, but you need to know where the future lies careerwise. Start from the bottom and work your way up - but always keep your eyes on the goal. I just found this PDF from the Workforce Development Council of Seattle, which spells out the career paths of several careers, including Infornation Technology.
- Use LinkedIn! I went to a very informative workshop at my school last week by John Crant, a job search guru, among other hats he wears. I've learned that you should spend less time in the day on job boards like Monster and more time researching companies on LinkedIn. You can find people on LinkedIn with the position you might want, and see what companies they currently work for, as well as the companies they used to work for. From there, you can search for the hiring managers at those companies, then contact them directly.
I still have a lot to learn and need to implement some of these great suggestions in my own life.
If you decide to follow some of these suggestions, or if you disagree with something I've said, or even if you have something to add, just post a comment to this entry so we can all discuss it! I'd love to hear other suggestions!
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Written on 12:48 PM by Robert
I know it's been a while since I posted anything. Although I'm still unemployed, I am happy to report I completed the requirements needed to receive my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Does that change anything in my status? Not at all - not yet. I still believe you need more than a Bachelor's degree to make an impact in the job market in IT.
My road to success is a long and difficult one, but one where I see light at the end of this dark tunnel I seem to be stuck in. Phase one is complete, with my 4-year degree in hand. What's next?
1) .NET Certification - I have VB .NET experience. Unfortunately, the experience is in Windows programming. I know the industry is focused on web programming, but the fastest road to certification is to be certified in something you are already familiar with. After I'm certified in Windows programming, I can set my sights on web programming certifications down the road.
2) Continuing my education - I decided to get into my school's Master's degree program in the Fall. This means I need to prepare for the GREs fairly quickly.
3) Keep learning - I need to keep up with the latest technologies, particularly open-source programming languages. A great site to start would be Dev Shed, a site for programming tutorials. The more you learn, the better chance you have to land a programming or developer position.
4) Keep putting yourself out there - It's frustrating to keep applying to jobs that seem to be filled before you get to interview for them. I need to learn to set up informational interviews. I need to be more active on LinkedIn groups, on Facebook, and on Twitter in order to attract some attention from the right people. I need to keep refining my resume, contacting more recruiters, and going to career fairs.
Why should you care? Well, if you are in the same boat I'm in, use my example as a template to follow for your own personal situation. The U.S. unemployment rate for May was 9.4% and being one of the thousands out of work is little comfort. The bottom line is that you should have your own "economic recovery plan" so we could start pulling ourselves out of this hole we seem to be in. Good luck!
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Written on 4:47 PM by Robert
Thirty years ago, when someone would graduate from college with a Bachelor's degree, they were pretty much guaranteed they would get a well-paying job in their field of expertise. Anyone with a Masters degree or higher were probably doctors or lawyers. The pride of saying that you had a Bachelor's degree was a privilege not many people had. The fact that the drop-out rate for high school graduates was high at the time was also a factor.
Today, there are less people who are satisfied with a high school diploma. Most people who graduate from high school go on to get a Bachelor's degree. What exactly does that mean? Well, it means that if you are one of those people with a Bachelor's degree, you have a LOT of competition out there. If you are coming out of college with a degree and no experience, then you'll be like the hundreds of others who just graduated, and is after that job you want to land. It's depressing, to an extent - that the 4-year college degree has less worth than it did decades ago.
So what can you do to stand out in that sea of academic clones in the job market?
- Get your Masters Degree (or PhD). Yes, it will take more time and money, but if you read over the course descriptions of the required classes you will be taking, you will find that these courses are more relevant to the job requirements found in the real world.
- Internships. Apply for whatever internships are advertised at your school. That could be the step in the door you need to work at that place in the future.
- Get a job while you're in school. If you're lucky enough to get a full-time job in your field of study without a degree, make sure you complete your degree at night. It's easy to fall into the trap of being caught up in the job and forgetting about the degree and career path. When a degree is achieved, you will have that experience under your belt already and will have a leg up on the competion.
The choice you make may not be the best choice for everyone, but its important to remember that there is always a choice.
Can you think of another option? Please add whatever else you think should be added to this list.
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Written on 11:31 AM by Robert
If you are unemployed, you may have noticed you may need a degree you may not have right now. Associate Degrees are not what they were 20 years ago. Or you may have a Bachelor's degree and want to stand out from a pile of resumes with a Master's degree. How can you afford one?
Online MBA can range in price from $7000 to over $100,000. Call (or web surf) your city and state universities and shop around. You may be surprised how cheap the can be. Otherwise, check out www.geteducated.com and get tips and links to schools.
Personally, I'm trying to finish my Bachelor's degree (just a few classes to go!) before worrying about my next step. I would love to get an MBA as well, if that's still even considered worthwhile. Any thoughts?
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