4 answers
Michael
Student
South El Monte, California
10
Questions
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How can I boost my chances of getting accepted for a job?
I am a freshman at Cal Poly Pomona majoring in Computer Information Systems. I would like to develop my technical skills but I am not quite sure where to start. Any advice would be helpful, thank you. #college
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4 answers
Javier Espinosa
Engineer
4
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Javier’s Answer
Michael,
It is great that you are interested in your career already at a early year. First as you being a freshman, I would make sure that if that program is what you really want to do. Lots of students especially freshman change their major. This is very common.
Being a freshman, I would try to apply to internships every summer/winter break to get work experience in the IT field. Try looking for a simple data entry job, programming internship, etc. The more experience you have as a student, the better chances you will find a career after college.
It is great that you are interested in your career already at a early year. First as you being a freshman, I would make sure that if that program is what you really want to do. Lots of students especially freshman change their major. This is very common.
Being a freshman, I would try to apply to internships every summer/winter break to get work experience in the IT field. Try looking for a simple data entry job, programming internship, etc. The more experience you have as a student, the better chances you will find a career after college.
SM Wang
Engineer
4
Answers
Redmond, Washington
Updated
SM’s Answer
It's great to learn you are already thinking about your career when are a freshman!
Since different skills involve different learning paths, I would recommend you start identifying the skills you would like to specialize with, if you should already know what they are.
Otherwise, I would recommend you try to reflect on which subject areas (e.g., data processing, systems management, distributed systems, etc.) within Computer Information Systems you are interested in. With the understanding you should gain from that exercise, one can also find out what skills would be needed by jobs in the subject areas.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you should further questions.
Since different skills involve different learning paths, I would recommend you start identifying the skills you would like to specialize with, if you should already know what they are.
Otherwise, I would recommend you try to reflect on which subject areas (e.g., data processing, systems management, distributed systems, etc.) within Computer Information Systems you are interested in. With the understanding you should gain from that exercise, one can also find out what skills would be needed by jobs in the subject areas.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you should further questions.
John Greenwood, MBA
Strategy Director
57
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
John’s Answer
Hey Michael,
The best way to boost your chances of getting a job after you graduate is going to be networking. You should reach out to alumni and have informational interviews (learning about their experiences and what led to their success). You can often find people in your school network through the career office or by looking on LinkedIn. Getting to know people and getting their advice on how to prepare will help you be successful and inform you about different job types and companies in the CIS field.
Also, when the time comes to apply for jobs, your network can help connect you with the right people!
On a side notes, lots of other things can help you get a job (internships, volunteer work, clubs, classes, certifications, etc). You have to figure out how best to focus your time and energy. These conversations with people will help you identify those best opportunities.
The best way to boost your chances of getting a job after you graduate is going to be networking. You should reach out to alumni and have informational interviews (learning about their experiences and what led to their success). You can often find people in your school network through the career office or by looking on LinkedIn. Getting to know people and getting their advice on how to prepare will help you be successful and inform you about different job types and companies in the CIS field.
Also, when the time comes to apply for jobs, your network can help connect you with the right people!
On a side notes, lots of other things can help you get a job (internships, volunteer work, clubs, classes, certifications, etc). You have to figure out how best to focus your time and energy. These conversations with people will help you identify those best opportunities.
Jack Quan
Sr. Business Analyst
4
Answers
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Michael,
I will answer your question in a different way. If you can make it through Cal Poly’s CIS program, we can count on you to have the technical capacity to learn and apply your skills.
As for getting a job, employers are looking candidates who can work well in teams and with different personality types. This is something you can practice now with your classmates on projects or internships. During interviews, you can cite how you have work through difficult situations while applying your technical skills.
Good luck.
I will answer your question in a different way. If you can make it through Cal Poly’s CIS program, we can count on you to have the technical capacity to learn and apply your skills.
As for getting a job, employers are looking candidates who can work well in teams and with different personality types. This is something you can practice now with your classmates on projects or internships. During interviews, you can cite how you have work through difficult situations while applying your technical skills.
Good luck.