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Question to IT Grads about travel

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  • 06-02-2014 9:16pm
    #1
    Christy92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭


    To anyone who has graduated with a degree in IT related discipline, would it be important to enter the field straight away after graduating? Or if someone were to go travelling for a year, would their job prospects be hindered?

    I'm asking this because the industry is always changing and am under the impression that being out of it too long would affect the value of an IT qualification.

    Any input would greatly be appreciated :)
    Tagged:


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    #2
    yawhat!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 970 ✭✭✭yawhat!


    What employees really want to see is IT certs on top of the degree so they know you will continue to upskill. Depending on the area your in there MCSA, Cisco, Java certs etc that you can upskill in your own time.

    Do the Certs in an area that your particularly interested in.


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    #3
    Christy92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Christy92


    Lovely stuff!
    So a gap in the CV wouldn't be as detrimental as they make it out to be so long as I'm still upskilling? I'm passionate about IT but there's always that feeling you're missing out as well if you're not currently in a position :P


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    #4
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,103 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    Why not travel and work? Take a contract here and there as you go...


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    #5
    Christy92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Christy92


    Ideally that's what I would like to do but part of me likes to be prepared for the 'just in case' scenario. Surely it'd be harder for a graduate with little/no experience fresh out of college to find work in a different country as you're competing with native graduates?


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    #6
    syklops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    Christy92 wrote: »
    Lovely stuff!
    So a gap in the CV wouldn't be as detrimental as they make it out to be so long as I'm still upskilling? I'm passionate about IT but there's always that feeling you're missing out as well if you're not currently in a position :P

    When the phrase "Gaps in the CV" comes up, they generally mean 3-4 years or more. A few months or a year is easily explained. A person passionate in IT who didnt work in IT for 3 years raises questions. What were they doing? Were they in prison? Rehab?


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    #7
    Christy92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Christy92


    Well that makes a lot of sense! Pardon the naivety, I've no experience of the industry so the only info I can get is by asking questions to insiders :P


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    #8
    syklops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    I knew an IT guy who was unemployed for 3 years during an IT boom. Turned he just couldnt work with people.


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    #9
    Ray Palmer
    Registered Users Posts: 8,368 ✭✭✭Ray Palmer


    Lots of graduates travel for a year after college. It pretty much expected on a CV. I would go as far as to say that when you don't see it you will expect them to go traveling early on while working. Either quitting their job or asking for an extended break.

    I wouldn't see it as a bad thing. Some companies maybe obsessed with a show of extra course and a passion for IT but they will expect you to work as a life as opposed to working to have a life.

    Personally I would prefer a well rounded person but there is a place for everybody in work and many different working environments.


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