by Barbra Lewis
If you have earned a computer degree and are looking for a job in this
booming field, the outlook is good. Be aware, however--a degree alone may not be
enough to land you a job. General computer degrees aren't as important as having hands-on
experience and specialized knowledge. These are developed outside of the classroom.
New York software developer Jack Watson knows. He majored in English but
turned his computer hobby into a profession.
"My interest in computers was sparked during my junior year of high school," says Watson.
Although I didn't major in computers (in college), I left school with the intention of
getting into the computer business. That same year I started my own business as a
programmer and did freelance work for small law firms and real estate businesses."
San Francisco programmer Susan Thompson had a similar experience.
"I studied Economics in college," says Thompson. "I couldn't find a job with that degree,
so I took a job at Xerox in a computer lab. I found that I was excited by technology, and
I paid a lot of attention to how computers worked. I learned programming while working on
a project and started to program macros to do
more sophisticated things automatically."
Getting Experience
It's a familiar catch-22: you need experience to get a job, but you can't
get experience without finding a job first. Because every business is
different and has its own programs, software and hardware, a general degree
will not apply as well as practical experience. Fortunately, there are many
avenues you can take to earn it.
You can start your own business like Jack, or work for small companies. You could also find
internships, or sign on with a temp agency for part-time or contractual work
that can lead to a permanent offer. Doing volunteer work for local
organizations or churches allows you to give back to your community
while beefing up your resume at the same time.
Another good idea is to design your own Web page. "That's a nice thing to show a prospective
employer," says Thompson. For this, just pick something you like. Nearly every conceivable
type of business
is getting onto the information superhighway these days. Like dogs? See if your local
Humane Society needs help designing a web site. Enjoy skiing? Design a page cataloguing
local ski resorts.
In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open for an actual job. Computer
personnel are in high demand, so even though you may be fresh out of school,
you still have a good chance of landing something. And even the smallest
assignment can lead to something bigger.
To find a computer job, do the obvious-use a computer. Get on the web. Check job sites;
there are hundreds of openings for computer careers. Post your resume or send it to
companies for which you'd like to work. Schedule informational interviews and see where
you'd make a good fit.
You can also register with an employment recruitment firm. Some are specific
to the computer profession. (Just be careful; not all employment
firms are legit. Don't sign on with anyone who asks for a fee up front.)
The Human Element
Computers themselves may be considered impersonal, but in the computer industry it's
still "who you know." Network. Employers will listen to a personal reference
before they rely on a resume. Circulate yourself by telling friends and family you're on
the job hunt. Go to job fairs and trade shows. Doing so will allow people to
see and interact with you.
Even when you land a job, don't expect just to be able to hang out on your
computer all day. You're indirectly helping your company market something-people, products
or services. You need to understand who and what your company is about and be able to
represent it, not only in your computer skills, but in your overall attitude and appearance.
When hiring new employees, potential employers more and more are looking for
well-rounded candidates who display leadership, communication, patience, imagination and
managerial skills.
Watson, who manages a staff of seven, agrees with this policy.
"When I need to hire someone, before anything else, I look for how well they
work with the team and if they are confident and easy to get along with."
Specific Skills
"There are a lot of jobs out there for computer tech people, but you need to
develop your own training when you can," says Thompson. "I learned computer
technology over a couple of years by integrating it with the projects I was
doing at the time."
When interviewing, you need to be able to tell your potential employer
exactly what you can do-don't be general or vague. Always
be on top of new skills and technology, and use them. Be willing to take
additional certification classes in areas that interest you. Although such
certification is not always required, it will teach you more skills and show
that you have initiative. For example, if you learn Visual Basic or C++ inside and out,
you'll have much more to offer a company.
It's also a good idea to learn about the business surrounding the computer
profession. An MBA or other advanced degree, in addition to your computer
degree, can open doors for you in management and executive level positions
if you desire them.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects the computer profession will continue
to grow at least until the year 2006. But the one constant in the computer
industry is change, so don't get too comfortable, even after you land a
job. Show that you are willing to extend yourself and learn new things
