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Chances of getting a job

 
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I have a Bachelors in CIS from DeVry. I was going to get Java Certified and then search for a job in America(where I live). I have heard and seen that the IT industry is really really bad right now. I don't think that a Java Cert will get me a job or a chance at one. I'm sure there are plenty of more qualified people out there that will take the job openings. Oh yea, did I mention that I have no real wotk expereince also. With offshoring, H1B's and a surplus of IT people companies can be picky as fasr as choosing who they want. Entry level jobs are requiring 2-5years experience now. Who here does not work as a programmer and what credentials do you have?
 
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Two presentation suggestions:

Your web page is a good idea, but purple on purple is rather hard to read. Use conventional colors.

You code layout doesn't look that good, even in purple. Do good indentation and comments. Look for really good code (plenty here at the ranch) and follow the style.


Your practical work experience puts you ahead of the pack, but you don't have the minimum to be hired as an experienced programmer.


Four job-hunting suggestions:

Network like crazy to get an entry level job. You won't find many US entry-level IT jobs on the job boards. It's hard for most people to ask acquaintances or even strangers for a favor, but nowadays 80% of these jobs come through networking. There are good books on the technique at your library.

Look into job fairs and college-sponsored events. The employers are looking for young trainees to work like dogs for peanuts to get the experience, but it's a fair deal.

Get any kind of IT job in a big company or government agency (you already know how to set up PC's) and after a year you can try to transfer into programming. In many non-programming jobs, there are scripts that need writing and bugs that need fixing and the programming group is too busy to do it, so you volunteer. This gives you experience for your resume and credibility within the company.

I don't know this first hand, but other folks on these boards say that unpaid volunteer work just doesn't count as experience. Contributing to major open-source projects has been mentioned as an exception, but that's not for newbies.

Best of luck!
 
James Hambrick
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I afraid the the minimum for an entry level job would be work experience. Then i'm stuck because how an I supposed to get work experience if no one will hire me? I could study get more certs, work on more programs, beef up my website and still not have a job in IT. I do not know anyone in the IT field personally, and DeVry is a joke about finding anyone a job. I stopped dealing with computers for about 8 months, then I came back onto a few forums and realized how much I like programming. I would not know what else to do. I could have finished my masters degree in Project Management from DeVry, It would take one year to complete. But without any programming experience I would not be much of a project manager. I was looking at other careers such as Actuary and Engineer but not sure about them. My friend does work through a temp agency at IBM, but it's tech support. I would have to become A+ Certified to even be considered for the job, then I would have to take a 1/hr pay cut and drive at least 30 more miles to work. I don't think that the big computer companies do any programming in Atlanta,GA anyways. Only tech support in Atlanta.
 
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I know how you feel. I graduated from Emory in May and still haven't been able to find a job. I passed the SJCP in June and am now living in Philadelphia looking for work. I was going to study for more certs, but I am now studying for the GRE's and plan on going back to school in January.
 
James Hambrick
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I wouldn't spend too much money on re-educating yourself. If your luck is like mine you'd spend 10,000 on more education and certs and still not be able to find work. Some people are just digging themselves into a deeper hole without finding work.
 
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