[PLUG-JOBS] Not enough experience.

[Michael Christopher Robinson]

The software developer market in Portland doesn't appear to have any
need for junior level programmers.  I constantly find jobs for senior
level people on indeed and beyond and nothing for someone with 0 years
of experience.  I see people are coming to Oregon with experience and
effectively wiping out the entry level completely.  Short of having had
internships during college, how am I supposed to compete?  A degree is
not experience, it's a lot of theory that has to be applied and
polished in an actual job.  I have experience maintaining a network
on my own, but it is hard to quantify where I'm at.  I'm pursuing an
LPI level 2 certificate now and have an LPI level 1 administrator
credential.  I'm curious if anyone talented out there is facing the
same can't get past the lack of experience problem that I'm facing 
and if they would like to join me to open a shop in Portland that
builds and supports Linux based desktop systems for people?  To be
successful, I need a computer engineer that can do hardware selection
and physical builds.  I want to specialize on the software side.  There
are a few companies elsewhere that do Linux laptops and desktops, but
they are elsewhere.  I want to open an actual shop here in Portland. 
Maybe hosting is something the shop can do as well.  Thankfully, some
recruiters are interested in me.  Sadly, I can't produce experience
out of thin air.  I have a lot of talent, but I need hands on
experience.  I need a good partner one that does hardware with a 
speciality in Linux compatability.  What I'm proposing instead of
continuing to look for a job is to start a business and find a 
partner.  I understand that there are venture capital firms in
Portland.  Anyone interested?

     -- Michael C. Robinson