Wondering How to Get into the IT Field

it is a terrible thing to say but to get a job in any field in this economy it isnt what you know it is who you know. I work for the government so we are pretty stable but you are going to have make some connections.

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I'm in IT and I have to completely agree with Julia S. It's all about who you know. I was able to get my first IT job because I had a friend in the IT department. Connections are very valuable, don't be afraid to use them.

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My son does this same type of work. However, he was mentored and read a lot of books. He did not want to go the college route because he felt it was going backwards both financially and time-wise. He has since started his own business in the IT related field (web solutions), and is flourishing. He does not want to work for someone else, as in as an employee. He loves his freedom to pick and choose clients and set his own rates. Also, he has a few people working for him because he cannot keep up with the work load he has (he regularly works 10 hours a day as it is). Oh, and he's 18. I guess my point is that you shouldn't wait for someone to hire you. Be your own boss. Own your own company. Get clients. Let people know what you do, and give them your business card. At first you may only earn about $20/hr, but eventually (not too much time), you may be earning closer to $100/hr. You can do this. Just do it. You don't need an employer. You don't need to be enslaved to someone else. *YOU* can do this on your own. PM me if you want more info about what my son does.

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I used to do Web programming. Well, used to do it full time, now it's more of a hobby.

When I was close to graduating college, someone referred me to a hiring agency. You go interview with them, give them a resume, etc and then they let you know if they have a client looking to hire someone with your skills. They got me a 6 month contract job that was great! until the company ran out of money :( (it was a startup).

The agency was free for me (company paid a ton for it tho.. lol). The agency I used was called TEKsystems. Not sure if they are just a southern area thing, or maybe you can find something similar in your area.

I also checked local job listings, and sites like monster.com ALL the time.

Good luck! I had a few programming jobs, then was unemployed for a bit, even cleaned houses with a service for a couple months until I found my current job. I was willing to take ANYTHING other than house cleaning! LOL But I ended up with a great company. I don't do any programming - it's actually deals & coupons online haha Kind of a turn from my original plan :)

My husband is an IT Manager, and it is all about who you know in that field.

Lucky for you, IT is a relatively strong and flexible field but you have to be willing to take some risks. Doing pro bono work can lead to paid work. Taking on short term contracts can lead to a permanent position. It's not easy and it's stressful but you should be able to find something if you're willing to think outside of the "9-5 FT job" box. Have you sent your resume to local IT consulting companies? There are a ton in the Chicago area that provide services to the big guys. Do a short-term project through them, do great work, and there's a good chance of getting hired on permanently. You have to be willing to take the risk though.

It is tough for anyone looking for a job in any field. I would suggest working contracting and to gain some experience. You might not exactly do IT just yet but if you have other skills and can work in an IT company doing those, that might help. Good luck.

I just wanted to reiterate that you need to start talking to people NOW. Also, have your parents talk to people as well. Not in a "What can you do for my daughter" kind of way. The reason now is the right time is that people aren't suspicious that you are going to try to hit them up for a job. Its just conversation at this point. My husband, who is in IT got his first job through the son (who was a regional manager at AT&T) of the lady who did water aeobics with his mom. I don't even think the guys mom met my husband! She just passed on his resume. Be prepared for people to lie and say they would be happy to help. They just feel bad and don't want to say no. So keep trying and keep it casual.

my son is having the same problem in his field. the job market is so scarce right now they can be picky my son is going to have to get his hvac to get a job in maitnance. sorry

J. -

just keep trying. I got my first job in IT in 2002 (after economy did a nose-dive post 9/11), and I certainly didn't have any connections (although connections won't hurt, I am sure), I was from another country, and went to 7-month long program for career changers into computer field. After I graduated, for while it seemed hopeless with the job search, but then one company got interested and I was hired.

Don't be discouraged, and good luck!

Is your focus more design or development? A lot of IT people get their start in the help desk - it's a crappy job, but will get some IT experience on your resume.

If your focus is more the design end, DON'T GO INTO IT. I made that mistake, and spent ten years doing nothing remotely related to my interests. IT staffers are often expected to work long hours and be on call, so be sure to check into that before taking any job (I'm assuming with 2 kids at home you can't/don't want to be on call). Look for design firms and advertising agencies instead. Those firms also tend to need developers so don't discount them.

Definitely start making contacts; maybe your professors can introduce you around. Get involved in an open source project or two, especially one partially resourced by a company you're interested in. Does your online school offer any sort of placement help?

You can also freelance; when I was in college I did a ton of freelancing. Granted I think the market was better for that sort of thing back then, but if you know anyone who might need a web site, or an update to their site... give them the friendsnfamily discount! That's seriously how I got my start.

One of the problems with going to school online is the absence of a job coach(?) or what ever they call the person we went to that helped us look for jobs and made appointments for us with companies coming to campus (head hunters). I would contact your school and ask if they have that type of a person. They should have one somewhere but they might not be able to know the jobs in your area.

Do you have a local Jr. College or University in your area that may offer this service? I would think if it took taking just one class to get status as an enrolled student to get it for free that it would be worth taking a class there.

My husband owns a computer consulting firm and any time he needs to hire, he asks for personal recommendations. His latest hire was part of a firm being acquired by a client of his -- his client was only retaining the attorneys and the attorneys all raved about their soon-to-be-laid-off IT guy. My husband swept in and hired that guy.

Spread the word to anyone and everyone about your search. Getting your hair done? Mention your search. See a neighbor? Mention your search. You never know who knows someone hiring in your field.

Also, you may need to do more than one internship. I did a couple while I was in college earning my journalism degree. Having two real-life public relations positions to point to as an entry-level candidate opened doors to a lot of interviews during difficult times back in the early 1990s. I was one of the only ones I knew then who actually got a job in her field after graduating college and I attribute it to that experience. It was unpaid work, but paid off in the long run.

Additionally, consider temporary work. This can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door at potential employers, while earning decent pay and building your resume.

Good luck!

I started out as a fresher in the IT field in 2008. It is a bit difficult to get the start(as in all fields).
Get a good resume and post it in all reputable websites monster,dice,careerbuilder etc. Get a good linkedin profile(professional connection site) and get conected to people you have interned with / gone to school with and people who can be good sources of reference.
Get in touch with local recruitment firms and contracting/consulting firms by setting up personal appointments with their recuitment officers.Also try to accept short term contract jobs also..most people refuse short term offers but any experience is good experience and in my knowledge as beginners we cannot afford to dictate terms. I started off as a consultant on contract basis and now have moved to a permanent position.So eventually things will work out.
Good luck and PM me if you have any specific questions.