[PLUG] Linux job hunting...

Cryptomonkeys.org louisk at cryptomonkeys.org
Tue Nov 15 00:49:47 UTC 2016


> On Nov 14, 2016, at 8:10 AM, Michael C. Robinson <michael at robinson-west.com> wrote:
> 
> I have a major problem, I'm a college grad in computer science with 0
> years of experience.  That PSU allows this when granting a degree is
> sad, but that's another issue for another time.  Everything I can find
> is for senior level people and a lot of the programming jobs require
> .NET or some other Microsoft thing.  Short of an internship, no college
> graduate can have experience programming in a Linux or any other
> environment professionally.  How do you land a job in this market? With
> Intel laying off so many senior level people, I cannot compete with the
> talent out there.  The tech industry in Oregon doesn't need college
> graduates and doesn't seem to want them either.
> 
> I'm thinking of volunteering somewhere, possibly at freegeek.  Thing
> is, I need coding experience.  The only other thing I can think to do
> is build a code repository and certify in Java.  Don't know if there
> are Python, C++, PHP, and Perl certifications that companies care
> about.  I'm looking at seasonal work in retail because I can't get a
> computer job.  That doesn't cut it, I worked too hard for a degree in
> computer science to be shut out of the field.  I need in, I'm too old
> to wait: 1, 5, or 10 years longer for that first progamming job.  I've
> been job hunting for 2 years as it is.
> 
> Interested in any good tips or advice people may have.  I admit I'm
> discouraged, but I'm not giving up.  Giving up won't solve the problem
> of being unable to land that first programming job.  This isn't a
> situation I want to deal with much longer, an entry level programming
> job would be very welcome.  Barring that, all I can think to do is
> prove I have the experience necessary to function in a more senior
> position.  That's a heck of a place to start though.
> 

Speaking as somebody who went to school in oregon and got a degree, I would concur that there is much more talent that wants to be in Portland than companies looking for said talent. This is not a problem if you are in demand. For everybody else, the easiest thing is probably to go where people are hiring. I spent 7yrs in the bay area. Being fresh out of school (even though I’d taught several courses on the way; sucks when you have a required course and no instructor), I clearly wasn’t the expert. I made sure that everyplace I got a job, I was not the expert. I wanted to know what other people did, why they did it, how they did it.  I went to user groups, I met amazing people. I have some experience. I even have some ideas on how I’d do *some* things differently. I still don’t know enough to be in demand in Portland. At some point, I’d like to move back, but I can’t say when it will be. Is it what I originally wanted? No. Have I had a good time doing things I never thought I would? Yeah. I’ve had a great time. I’ve had amazing opportunities, and I expect that will continue. A good opportunity doesn’t always show up in the form you want, or expect. Be willing to knock on doors. Something will open.

Additionally, if you know you want to write code, do it. There are lots of resume building possibilities by taking part in a F/OSS project, or writing your own app and putting it on github. If you want a website, you could use something like pelican (you mentioned python). Write a module/plugin for it. Detail the process you went through on the website. Maybe you have more things you want to write, you can use your website to advertise for it (it can also have a copy of your CV). Maybe consulting opportunities will pop up after you have some work that people can look at.

Lastly, I would visit all the CS profs you are on good terms with and let them know what your situation is and see if they have any advice. They may have connections to introduce you to people. They may have an internship that could turn into a job (most internships are paid, and people who do well are frequently invited back). My employer just hired a woman who did an internship over the summer (she starts after graduation next summer).

--
Louis Kowolowski                                louisk at cryptomonkeys.org
Cryptomonkeys:                                   http://www.cryptomonkeys.com/

Making life more interesting for people since 1977

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