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I am a computer engineer currently pursuing advanced diploma in Computer Systems networking technology at Centennial College. I am finding it really hard to get a job related to my field. For even the smallest positions they ask for years of experience which I do not have and I do not know what to do. #computer #computer-science

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Ashley’s Answer

Hi Arshdeep,

I hope you are doing well. As a fellow student, I completely understand the hardships you are going through. This is a Volunteer online forum where students ask for advice and suggestions, while others answer and share their knowledge. In terms of looking for employment, these are some websites that might help:

1. https://www.indeed.com/

2. https://www.joinhandshake.com/

3. https://www.usajobs.gov/

Now as a suggestions, I would also try to reach out to professors about possible internships and/or volunteer opportunities that might allow you to gain experience. Best of luck!

Stay Safe!

Kind regards,
Ashley Garcia
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Hui’s Answer

Hi, I am Wei. I recently graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. In general, start using the resources you have like Career Services, they are there to help you settle with a job. If you haven't set up your LinkedIn, Indeed, please do that. It'll help you build an online presence and give employer's a chance to see you. Maintain it. Submit your application to Aerotek, they are paid by other firms to help them find candidates for their jobs. Ask your professors and graduates to see if they have any references or know of anyone who they can talk to. Ask them if there's anyone they know who you could do a job shadow and then once you get the job shadow and went through with it, ask them if they have any job openings available. It's one way to get to know them personally like overnight at colleges. Using your weak ties, get out of your comfort zone and ask around, and practice your interviewing skills by answering questions -Google and YouTube is a good start, but don't stay there more than 1-2 hours as you'll likely get stuck researching rather than doing. I am sure you have done several projects during your courses, so now it is time to put them together. They will help your employers see the work you have done in the past to help them further assess your abilities when they ask for them. Practice explaining the projects to other people. A good way is to imagine 8-year-olds because if you can't make it simple enough for them to understand you'll probably understand it enough in the first place.

Note, you don't necessarily need to find jobs specifically built for your major, you could try out other relevant fields like a programmer, data science, back-end programming, etc. And don't always apply to the first job that responded back to you, evaluate your options even as simple as Pros vs Cons. Consider where you want to live, the cost of living, are you close to your family and friends -may matter when you get sick and realized you have no one to take you to the hospital and make sure to ask questions about your benefits like 401(k). One thing I find true from places I have worked at is how you feel about the interviewer is pretty much going to be the same when you work from them. So observe how they answer your questions, whether the language they use in e-mails are consistent or not, how soon they respond to you, etc.

Also, don't expect to find your dream job right after graduating. Like dating, it takes a couple of times before you know what's right for you. Similarly, it's what you make of it so please be cautious and remember to take a breath or two. Life moves forward regardless if you get it or not, so do what you can and don't get stuck.

Best regards,
Wei
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Class of 19'
Thank you comment icon Hi Wei, I had to remove the link to your LinkedIn profile as that goes against our community guidelines (we do not allow individuals to share contact information). Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Thank you comment icon No problem. Thank you. Hui Liu
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Yasith’s Answer

Hi,

I know the feeling of job hunting. But don't give up. Expand your areas of knowledge in computer system networking and explore more while studying. Specially you can follow the Job Description and required skill set they are asking, and try to learn most out of it. Network Cyber Security is one of the highest paid job which you can focus.

Regarding the experience, you should sign up for some freelancing sites such as Freelancer or Upwork. You can get some small projects to increase your experience level at the beginning. That will help you to maintain a good portfolio. Maintain a linkedin profile and start writing a blog.

You need to always stay up to date with the latest technologies and trending topics. Those will be useful to showcase your knowledge and the passion during an interview.

I hope this will helpful for you, more importantly stay positive.
Good luck
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Nadia’s Answer

First of all, check IT corporate companies that are operating in your region. Apart from internships, they sometimes offer special programs for new grads that help to start your career. Their names can include words such as "academy", "incubator", "early in career".
Besides that, think about projects or initiatives that you have taken part in and learn how to sell and present them as your work experience. If you don't have any, check your local non-profit organizations. In the COVID-19 situation, IT engineers can be their great support.
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Steve’s Answer

Consider intern roles, potentially unpaid, to get the initial experience. Look at larger companies that will bring in college grads and train them, as opposed to smaller companies looking for years of experience.

Find people in your area, via linkedin, or your professors, or other grads from your school, who may help with introductions or help mentor you and give you an initial opportunity.

I know its not easy but hang in there
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David’s Answer

This is a great question. I will echo what was suggested here with some background. I don't think many of us knew what we wanted to do, or enjoyed doing until we worked for a while and found a role that "fit" us. I know that today people jump from company to company pretty quickly, and that can work for some, but for me, getting into a larger company that had many departments/roles enabled me to try many different jobs and experience opportunities with low risk once i started working. It's a great way to get some experience, and then if you decide you want to jump, you can use that resume experience to have a chance at a larger job market.
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Manu’s Answer

Hi , From my experience many student limit themselves to narrow fields for their first job. I would highly suggest that you look at different courses you have taken at college to broaden your search. If you are passionate on a area many a times you get opportunity to switch once you enter companies. In comp science , IT operations, Cloud operations, DBA are all valid areas to try in as many times many of these areas need networking and rest are learnable. Trying for Interns jobs, gaining experience etc all covered above. Another method is get into any role in really good companies. Good companies take people on IT Support, Success and many other ones but allows you to switch to their main engineering groups.
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Ateeb’s Answer

Having read through the course outline: https://www.centennialcollege.ca/programs-courses/full-time/computer-systems-technology-networking/ it is quite clear that course covers a lot different disciplines within IT Infrastructure, ie: Networking, Systems Administration, Security. My advise would be research each of these disciplines and focus on attaining a professional certification from a leading vendor in relation to it. Eg: if you did decide Networking then look into Cisco introductory certs, System Administration consider Redhat Linux or Windows Server certs. Armed with that then apply for entry role.
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