Trying to get a foot on the ladder in the I.T trade

deadfingers

Hi,

As of from next week I will be finished college with a degree in Software engineering and then begins the task of looking for a job. I want to get into software development. I wonder how other people began their career in I.T and what advice they would give me. Any useful websites or recurtiment agenices would also be a great help. So far I have registered with a number of recurtiment agenices and I keep my eye on gradIreland and other employment websites.

Thanks
D

Stark

The best way to get a start is to apply to a graduate programme. Unfortunately you've missed the boat for the vast majority of them this year, so it'll be slim pickings.

If you don't get a job this year, you can still apply to the graduate programmes around October or November this year.

You may want to apply for a one year masters in case you don't get anything this year, no point wasting the year if you don't get anything.

the_syco

Stark wrote:

You may want to apply for a one year masters in case you don't get anything this year, no point wasting the year if you don't get anything.

This, and also check out the 3 month contract jobs. Some lead into pernament jobs. Also its something to do over the summer.

Most importantly, it looks good on the CV, as experience is experience.

damnyanks

If going to the UK is an option check out

www.milkround.com
www.doctorjob.com

Also goto the Irish Grad site. I forget the URL... do a google its like www.gradireland.ie or something. Last I saw Microsoft Ireland had a load of graduate positions listed. They were only a year in length but should get your foot in the door

IronMan

The Microsoft Graduate positions are closed, and are only available to people who graduated last year, e.g you will be allowed apply for the programme next year. The IT job's market while not exactly booming, has improved, and most people I know who graduated last year, got a job of some sort. Even IT support for 6 months-1 year looks good on the CV. It is utterly soul destroying work though.

Stark

Depends where you work for. Some IT support jobs can be a lot of fun, others soul destroying. Depends what the company is like, and how much flexibility you have. ie: Can you use your own judgement when going through a problem with someone or do you have to simply read off a form. Is there a time limit on phone calls. Do you do callout support, or just simply log everything?

thebigmc

@ Stark
Im considering applying for tech support in HP, do you know if they are an alrite place to work in? If not which places would you reccomend?
Thanks