First Year Student Looking for Work Experience

RyanK

I am a first year student in University of Limerick studying Multimedia and Computer Games Development. I got an A1 in Computer Science, Computer Applications and Imperative programming in my end of semester exams just before christmas.

We have only been introduced to the basics of Java so far and will move on to more languages in second year like C#/C++.

I would like some hands on experience and/or shadow a small, local development team to learn more. Of course I am not expecting any pay.

What is the likelihood that I could get this?
Would I need to wait longer or be more experienced?

Any comments will be welcomed.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan.

Naikon

RyanK wrote: »

I am a first year student in University of Limerick studying Multimedia and Computer Games Development. I got an A1 in Computer Science, Computer Applications and Imperative programming in my end of semester exams just before christmas.

We have only been introduced to the basics of Java so far and will move on to more languages in second year like C#/C++.

I would like some hands on experience and/or shadow a small, local development team to learn more. Of course I am not expecting any pay.

What is the likelihood that I could get this?
Would I need to wait longer or be more experienced?

Any comments will be welcomed.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan.

There is no grade designated "A1" at third level. My best advice is find something you have an interest in and commit to the project/start a new one on github or sourceforge. Basically, working on open source projects looks very good on a CV.

-Trek-

I too have an interest in what the OP is asking, so do employers generally ever take on 1st years to gain some experience or are they not interested in having inexperienced person around the office? Surely there are testing roles on offer that dont require a great depth of knowledge about coding?
I like the idea of developing open source as Naikon said but I think I would prefer to find a role in a office to gain some industry experience and maybe even get a foot in the door for potential employment once graduated.

Stuxnet

Naikon wrote: »

There is no grade designated "A1" at third level. .

there are in UL !

http://i56.tinypic.com/2mmefk4.jpg

OP i'm in your sister class 1st year also, comp sys, you cant hold off till third year co-op ? !!

some good recommendations there about joining an open source project, or maybe join an ubuntu lo-co team ! new OO.O fork LibreOffice are always looking for people, any contribution is welcomed, no matter how small ! you will learn and it looks good from a cv pov !

RyanK

Trekmad wrote: »

I too have an interest in what the OP is asking, so do employers generally ever take on 1st years to gain some experience or are they not interested in having inexperienced person around the office?

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm not sure if a small/local development team of say 10 people that are working on simple projects will be more lenient. As in, I don't have to have a great CV nor do I have any specific role. I could just make their coffee or something.

Trekmad wrote: »

I like the idea of developing open source as Naikon said but I think I would prefer to find a role in a office to gain some industry experience and maybe even get a foot in the door for potential employment once graduated.

I would prefer the same thing.

Of course I do plan to develop some open source projects but not yet as I am far too inexperienced.

iPwnage wrote: »

OP i'm in your sister class 1st year also, comp sys, you cant hold off till third year co-op ? !!

Third year is far away. And in co-op, I'm expecting to have a proper job in a company. I don't want that right now. I want something more casual where I can just gain some experience even if I don't program anything. Just being in the work environment will be enough for me.

Gagetman

Hi Ryank,
Are you still looking for work experience? If so I might have a position for you. It's a project in data capture of gaming machines. If you want to know more PM me and I will send you the details.
Regards
Gagetman

Naikon

RyanK wrote: »

I would prefer the same thing.

Of course I do plan to develop some open source projects but not yet as I am far too inexperienced.

You don't have to start coding on the next Linux kernel. Start small with bugfixes and build up your skills. Bug fixing/documentation is always appreciated too. OpenHatch is a great place for this kind of carry on:

http://openhatch.org/

but43r

Naikon wrote: »

You don't have to start coding on the next Linux kernel. Start small with bugfixes and build up your skills. Bug fixing/documentation is always appreciated too. OpenHatch is a great place for this kind of carry on:

http://openhatch.org/

First year student fixing bugs? I'd say that would be too much for a first year student. I remember that we only did basics of programming in first year. I don't think we even knew what Object Oriented Programming at that stage was.

How about just writing simple apps for yourself for a while. Build up your portfolio that you could show to your potential employer in future. This will add more value to your experience that making coffee for programmers would.

Btw OP, a team of 10 developers is quite large

Naikon

but43r wrote: »

First year student fixing bugs? I'd say that would be too much for a first year student. I remember that we only did basics of programming in first year. I don't think we even knew what Object Oriented Programming at that stage was.

How about just writing simple apps for yourself for a while. Build up your portfolio that you could show to your potential employer in future. This will add more value to your experience that making coffee for programmers would.

Btw OP, a team of 10 developers is quite large

But that site has some bitesized bugs you can contribute fixes too. I think once you know the basics, it's easier to dive into an existing codebase, learn the ropes, and contribute small patches for trivial features, moving up along the way. It's easier than being told "write the next big enterprise system for our clients". Besides, who said you need to know OO to be a programmer? It helps alot, but it's not essential depending on what you want to do.

RealistSpy

Why don't you try working on your own project if you can't get work experience? I am looking for work experience myself but while I wait, I work on a project.

I have my own portfolio just to show case my ability.
You can check my portfolio for idea.

NB: i just finished 2nd year myself so I am not a pro.

ED E

About to start my search in the dublin area. Even if its just being a runner like in Transition year that'd be fine.

Anderson01

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