SuperJediMedia Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 I think my talent, skill is BEST at computing! I am good in Windows (Xp, Me, 9x), Office (all of the apps it comes with I've used)... and Photoshop, Web designs. Hell to be frank every big softwares I've probably used. Here is the problem, I am still in college, no degree whatsoever, but I want to get some money while proving my worth (Intern?) that I indeed knows these stuff. Also, all of my jobs weren't very successful. I worked Grocery stores, and Best Buy, and some.... nothing that shows I've computer powers, really. So on my resume, I am worried that not having a college degree nor somekind of experience, people Won't Trust that I've these skills! What do I do? Do I must get a college degree to move on?? :ermm: Hey also, do Neowin Staff making money by operating this site or just a hobby? Give me some advises, please!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keldyn Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 It's a harsh reality these days that if you want a decent job in life you need some kind of qualifications. Otherwise, employers just cannot trust that you have the skills required. Also, having that piece of paper shows that you are dedicated, hell its not easy getting it right ? Stick with college though, it will pay off big in the end. Start small... ask around, local comp stores etc, even if its just as a sales assistant. Its a foot in the door so to speak As for the running of neowin, its a hobby. No pay for us overworked staff :( lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freightgod Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 You may want to study the english language for a start. You know, basic rules such as when to pluralize words, etc. Sorry, I know that sounds sarcastics, and I guess it is...I just hopes your resumes doesn't reads like your posts. You may also consider getting a boring, entry level job. Anywhere. Just to show a prospective employer in the field you eventually want to work in that you actually can hold a boring, entry level job. It actually impresses people over 30... Boy am I sarcastic this morning or what? Sorries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twist Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 finish up your schewlin youngin! try to find friends that want web sites, do them for em, even for free. get your name out there and people will start to know you can do stuff. thats the key, get started, talk means nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h71y6 Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Originally posted by JediXAngel I think my talent, skill is BEST at computing! I am good in Windows (Xp, Me, 9x), Office (all of the apps it comes with I've used)... and Photoshop, Web designs. The thing is, those are not technical 'skills' and i don't know many people who needs those skills in particular. Maybe if you had skills like programming, database, unix admins or hell, even spreadsheet programming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Yes specialisation. No good knowing a bit of this that and the other you have to be good and great with one or a cpl of things related. Like you mentioned photoshop maybe you could pursue the MultiMedia Spects of computing etc, see where im going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Dorr Veteran Posted April 2, 2002 Veteran Share Posted April 2, 2002 Do what my dad did: Get out the phone book and call every place in there. He had a job before he reached the B's.... Seriously, if you're assertive and show a lot of interest, you can "make" your own position at any company as an intern, even if they don't have an internship program. Just show that you have a lot of interest and such... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
othernutrient Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Originally posted by JediXAngel I think my talent, skill is BEST at computing! I am good in Windows (Xp, Me, 9x), Office (all of the apps it comes with I've used)... and Photoshop, Web designs. Hell to be frank every big softwares I've probably used. Here is the problem, I am still in college, no degree whatsoever, but I want to get some money while proving my worth (Intern?) that I indeed knows these stuff. Also, all of my jobs weren't very successful. I worked Grocery stores, and Best Buy, and some.... nothing that shows I've computer powers, really. So on my resume, I am worried that not having a college degree nor somekind of experience, people Won't Trust that I've these skills! What do I do? Do I must get a college degree to move on?? :ermm: Hey also, do Neowin Staff making money by operating this site or just a hobby? Give me some advises, please!!! Task one: acquire a greater grasp of the English language. Before you can win the hearts of employers, you must be able to speak their language. Task two: understand there is more than what you know. Although you say you are good with Windows XP, Me, and 9x, how well do you fare with server level operating systems, and how client operating systems interact with them? Bear in mind that businesses have those very needs, and just because you know how to tweak different versions of Windows doesn't mean you know how to manage them. Task three: become oriented with non-consumer versions of Windows, primarily Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000. It is important to have skills with these operating systems since many businesses that use NT 4 have not yet upgraded to 2000, and those that are at 2000 will not upgrade to .Net for possibly three years. Task four: choose a major that will accomodate you in your search for these skills. If that is not an option, then I don't think you're on the right path for what you say you want. Task five: go to your school's career center to help your resume. If you have no professional or academic experience with specific things (even taking a programming class through your school), you are not going to be able to build your resume or win the ears of employers. Task six: determine what type of job you want. If you're not clear on what you want, you're not going to be able to do anything. You need focus to find what you're looking for. Task seven: Before you get into a business situation, make sure you are 100% certain that you can do what is required of you. If you get a job or a contract to do something small, and for whatever reason can't do it, you can be sued for breach of contract, and worse, have your name smeared. You really need to make sure that you have a broad enough skill set, and not a motley set that dabbles in different areas. Just being interested in and having fun with computers isn't enough to qualify for job skills. How many thousands of people do you suppose have the skills that you have? How many also would like to be able to get jobs, but find that they can't simply because their smattering of skills has no focus or aid to a business? I'd suggest starting small, if possible, and try to get a job at a computer lab on your campus, where you can apply simple fix-it skills, and hopefully get a larger understanding of the computer industry through co-workers and perhaps the other students (MIS, CIS, CS majors) who use the lab, or if you are well skilled enough in web design (do you know HTML 4, CSS2, XHTML 1, XML, JavaScript, ASP, PHP, PERL, CGI? The difference between UNIX and Microsoft web servers? The capabilities of each?) perhaps you could do, for free, the web site for a school organization or school department (if you work for a department and they need their webpage fixed up, you may be able to do it in your spare time for them). There are a lot of possibilities. I really think you need to find focus, and then work for some time towards achieving that goal before you can enter the workforce for a well-deserved fee. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimlock Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Definitely get your degree. I left with a year left and I regret it. I'm going back starting this summer, but it will be harder since I'm out of the 'mode' of school work. A degree will open doors for you later down the road, esp. when combined with even a little experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimman Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 as the others say, and i have to agree, language! also (as the others said), specialization. can't go anywhere on "i've used it" :lick: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CustardFD Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 I'm just going though the uni decision route now. I'm taking a year out and working as a Security Research Assistant and QinetiQ in the UK. (Formally DERA). All I will add is that 99.99999% of uni and carears peeps that I have spoken to is the fact that these days most medium to large employers look for second and third human languages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faction Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Originally posted by JediXAngel Hey also, do Neowin Staff making money by operating this site or just a hobby? Although im not 100% sure, Neobond and Redmak use the advertising money to pay for the site, and probably dont make any side change. [Which alot of you need to realize.. they pay for your fun.. ] And as for the rest of the mods ;)- nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twist Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 ok i'll get you a job step 1) goto mcdonalds step 2) fill out a resume step 3) wait... step 4) start frying up fries..mmmm step 5) get acne OR find a bathroom in a subway. hang out in it, you'll be doing lots of "jobs" after that :p hope you didn't mean a good job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CustardFD Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Basically, however you do it, you need to get to know the right people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Depends on what area of the country you are in to I suppose. We just put out an add for an entry level helpdesk person and received over 150 resumes in a single weekend. Many of these were MCSEs, some others had degrees, and other with Masters. Now with these people looking for an entry level helpdesk job that tell me one thing. The IT market is tight out there right now. The sad part was that about half were laid off over 3 months ago and they are still looking for employment. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h71y6 Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Man blackbird you had to remind me! grr :) I graduate in a month!! yay!! finally after 4+1 years of studying.. (+1 is intern exp) i'm finally about to finish! I've always dreamt of graduating... BUT like you said, things are looking bad due to the recession these days... not only in IT but engineering in common. Sigh... between me and two other friends, them having honors, we can't seem to even get a call or reply after more than 500 jobs applied. I'm in canada if you're wondering. Why me? If i graduated last year when times were high, i wouldn't be in this predicament... or maybe i'll be one of the guys who got laid off. ARGH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CustardFD Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 Originally posted by h71y6 or maybe i'll be one of the guys who got laid off. ARGH! Possibly a hefty motgage... if you were really unlucky it could also be kids + a wife :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalibutStu Posted April 2, 2002 Share Posted April 2, 2002 go fishing. deckhand on a seiner or gillneter. fish alskan king crab, prawns or halibut. get on a good boat you can make $60,000 in 3 months, then take the rest of the year off :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperJediMedia Posted April 3, 2002 Author Share Posted April 3, 2002 Thank You all for the replies ;) I'll take these advised and work on them. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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