Gaining experience in the IT industry

wozzizname · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:34

Does anyone here have any hints on how to gain experience in the IT industry ?

I've just graduated with a 2:1 degree in IT as a mature student, I've loads of work experience from a previous career with BT but I can't find a job in the IT sector as I don't have the specific experience which all employers seem to require - even 'entry level' jobs seem to require a years experience with windows server / Tsql /Oracle /SSIS etc etc.

I'd hoped to get into the database side of things but it's like bashing my head against a wall at the moment.

Admiral Huddy · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:39

Good luck with that, most IT departments in the banking sector are globalising reducing their numbers. We are down from 40 odd to a mere half dozen.

It isn't as sepcialist and easy as it once was.

cosmogenesis · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:40

Get a relevant qualification besides your IT degree. Was it a sandwich degree or a straight 3 year one.

Let us know hat you do, developer or engineer ?

.NET and JAVA is the main role. Personally you can get a temp role with a charity or get some freelance work with someone doing some .NET/JAVA. Write a web application using SQL server/IIS.

edscdk · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:43

a degree will be worthless for most applications, you need at least an industry qualification or two...

a couple of MCP's while you look for a job would be a massive bonus...

edscdk · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:44

edscdk said:
a degree will be worthless for most applications, you need at least an industry qualification or two...

a couple of MCP's while you look for a job would be a massive bonus...

sorry was thinking for support type roles... maybe programming type stuff its a bonus to have a degree.. but even if its progtramming / dev type stuff it would not hurt to get a few MCP's

Weebull · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:55

If you've no experience, look for graduate roles surely?

The company I work for is massive, and pretty much has a constant rolling recruitment for grads and entry-level workers. I'm sure they can't be the only ones. How's your SQL?

wozzizname · 23 Sep 2010 at 11:59

Hmm, I'm wondering if an MCITP in database administration might be worth doing then - I was slightly concerned about spending good money on doing a course but it being worthless without the relevant experience to back it up.

wozzizname · 23 Sep 2010 at 12:01

Weebull said:
If you've no experience, look for graduate roles surely?

The company I work for is massive, and pretty much has a constant rolling recruitment for grads and entry-level workers. I'm sure they can't be the only ones. How's your SQL?

My SQL is pretty reasonable, certainly a lot better than my Java !

I'm looking at graduate schemes, but might have trouble getting accepted due to my age (I know they're not officially allowed to discriminate against older applicants, but I've heard it's still widespread).

Ev0 · 23 Sep 2010 at 12:05

wozzizname said:
Hmm, I'm wondering if an MCITP in database administration might be worth doing then - I was slightly concerned about spending good money on doing a course but it being worthless without the relevant experience to back it up.

It's be a start, and whilst you might not have the experience the fact you've done it at least shows you have the capability.

Just look around for trianee/starter type positions and be prepared to go for lower level support jobs to get a foot in the door if you have to.

Fr0dders · 23 Sep 2010 at 12:51

wozzizname said:
Hmm, I'm wondering if an MCITP in database administration might be worth doing then - I was slightly concerned about spending good money on doing a course but it being worthless without the relevant experience to back it up.

depends you you speak to

All the bosses at my place are firmly of the oppinion that Microsoft qualifications means **** anymore as every man and his dog has them. They've employed people with them before only to find they still cant do the job

They are more interested in relevant proven experience than qualifications

That said, my local council wont even so much as reply to your application if you dont have one.

Every employer is different.

What you need is that first rung on the ladder. Once you've got that experience you can then go on and do loads of jobs. If theres one that you really want and it needs a qualification then by all means do it. But dont spend thousands on Microsoft courses just so you can get into the industry. My first job came courtest of an EPOS (electronic point of sale) system vendor. Got a job doing first line support for 12.5k a year with no experience. Salary reflected that, but it gives you that first rung on the ladder. 4 years later i'm earning nearly double that.