Dear Career Adviser,
I am a newly graduated high school student with an A bursary looking for a career in the IT industry. I am in a three-month A+/MCSE/university course, which I will then follow up with a three-year degree through correspondence.
Is it worth trying to find a no-pay trainee night job in the IT industry for experience while I gain qualifications and hope for paid employment later down the line? I have seen friends with no experience and similar skills gain $30,000 web design positions on a fulltime basis.
Also, where can I learn specific programming languages? University seems to only teach programming concepts and mathematics, etc.
Concerned Student
Ross Turner at Pinnacle Recruitment replies: Your first consideration would be to complete the MCSE programme as this will be the qualification necessary for you to get the start you want. Any part-time role that you can find that puts your current or new found skills to work is good and your attitude toward a no-pay role will see you earning faster than you think.
As far as specific programming skills are concerned there are many well designed and presented short courses available through commercial training schools, however you will need to be prepared to pay for these. Some of these organisations may offer to help you find a role upon graduation.
Readers with career questions can have them answered in this column by IT recruitment specialists. Send questions via Computerworld journalist, Darren Greenwood, with "Dear Adviser" in the subject line.