student

hello, here is my problem...i have been searching for an internship since janurary 2002. I have 89 credits now, after this semester i will have 107 in B.S. Computer Science from an accredited university. I also already have an A.S. in Computer Info Systems from another accredited College, and i have a CCNA.
also my gpa is a 3.6....why will know one even contact me for an interview....the school doesnt offer very many choices and i have applied to numerous companies all to no avail. among my peers, I seem to be one of the few who are actively seeking internships and I am almost certain no one else has the credentials I have....the CCNA alone should land me a job!!! wtf!! any suggestions are more than welcome.

feelgood

Talk to people in your "network" For starters, your parent could hook you up with an internship within their company depending where they work. If that doesn't work out, ask your family and friends. You'll be sure to find someone you know that could help you out.

It's all part of the whole networking when it comes to finding jobs.

__________________
Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

oberon

feelgood's got it right.

Every single one of my jobs came through networking with people.

Skills aren't what get you in the door, it's friends that do. Skills just get you hired.

__________________
"There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

Mondak

Is your resume online? Where do you live? What are you looking for in an Internship? Do you want to work in a specific industry to get experience there or just somewhere general? Are you looking to get paid? How much?

__________________
All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

student

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia...I am looking for an internship in the I.T. field where they have a substantial sized network and am only expecting at the most $15/hr

sailor

Thats exactly what I was going to say--its not what you know, its who you know. This doesnt mean that knowing someone will automatically get you a job, but it sure as hell will get your foot in the door to get a serious interview. Think about it--if you are running a business, are you more likely to offer an interview and/or job to some random kid that sends you his resume, or to someone that you either know personally or have heard good recommedations about from those you know and trust?

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

Redjake

make a nice resume and submit it to every fucking computer place in the tri-county area, make sure you emphasize all you are looking for is an internship

__________________
Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

Mondak

I would like to challenge you and hear about what the results of this are.

I would like you to think of three people you have met at sometime in your life.
- This person should be 25-55 years old
- This person should be presently employed, preferably at a midsize to large company
- This person may or may not already work in IT
- Try to avoid anyone realted to education
- Try to pick someone who is not a family member if possible
- The Ideal person here would be someone like a copier salesman. Don't laugh - these people have HUGE numbers of contacts in all sorts of industries. Lots of exposure. Someone who sits behind a desk all day may not have many contacts.

It can be your older sister's boyfriend or a distant Aunt or Uncle if need be. It can even be one of your parent's friends. Most likely though - this person has never talked to you on the phone or it is very rare - I mean why would you talk to your sister's boyfriend on the phone? (These are examples - you will have to come up with the actual people or their affiliation with you on your own)

Before you call write down the exact words you would use in describing a realistic ideal internship. Should be two sentences or so.

Also write down a one sentence description of your qualifications / accomplishments.

Finally print out 6 copies of your resume for them. Be ready to send these either to them after the call or to whoever they know. Worst case- if you suspect they are technically savy, have a PDF copy of your resume ready (Don't send word since formatting shits the bed between versions. I can convert it for you if you don't have full Acrobat)

Call each person on the phone and tell them you need a favor. You would like for them to ask their friends and coworkers if anyone is looking for a (insert Ideal internship desc.) You don't need to tell them you are looking at their company specifically. They will figure that out on their own. Then tell them (insert short desc of qualifications). Even if they cannot think of anything right now, tell them to keep their eyes open for you. Then promise them that you are a very hard worker and eager to get some real world experience while being willing to work for cheap. Most importantly, let them know that you will reflect very positively on them if they should refer you to anyone they know.

Please let me know who you choose (not their names - but how you know them and what they do) and let me know how it goes.

Think Six Degrees of Bacon on this. Someone you vaugely know knows someone who could use a hard working person to run a network this summer. (Maybe pitch it as someone who can help cover vacations etc. during the summer months).

__________________
All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

cyclone

nice info

student

yeh thanks....I am in the process of doing that now...thank you for all the help and advice