I am new to the IT field -- took an oracle course and just got my 11g OCA -- and most IT internships that i have come across are all geared towards current college students who can use it as college credits.
I am trying to find companies that have non traditional internships ( or maybe apprenticeship is the word) for IT neophytes.
Answers
O.V.,
Can you please provide a "status update"? Do you still need assistance, referrals or advice?
Please also let us know what was helpful, so other families, Veterans and mentors can benefit from the information. Thanks!
Thank you all: Ms. Judy Tomlinson, Mr. Andy Lewis and Mr. Brian Roy for your insights and helpful tips. I am attending networking events and reaching out recruiters and contracting agencies. I have also started working towards some more certifications -- Oracle OCP, Security+.
This is a tough subject especially if you are not the typical student looking for an internship. There are companies with programs for individuals looking to break into certain fields. Instead of an internship you should think of trying to get into an entry level position to where you can learn and hone your skills. This can be difficult. My personal experience is that networking will help you land a job more than anything else. Recruiters can help you network. I would also say that Andy has a great point in that you should try and get additional certifications. Many times certifications are the difference between being hired or passed over. I am not saying that is right but that is how it goes. Here is what I would do:
1. Attend networking events
2. Get additional cetification or training
3. Reach out to some recruiters
You may be already doing this but this is a decent plan to start with. Networking can have a huge impact on the hiring process and I would definitely spend as much time as you can in that area. I hope this advice helps. Good luck in your job search.
1) Have seen companies w/internship programs for high school and college students only - no exceptions.
2) Am starting to inquire within my company to see whether we would consider extending our programs as you suggest.
3) STRONGLY agree that contracting can serve as an apprenticeship, if not an internship.
4) Strongly encourage you to continue to pursue certifications. Several organizations are contractually obligated to have a certain number of people on staff who are certified in specific areas. Security certs are becoming especially valuable (Security+, CEH, CISSP, GIAC, etc)
5) Based on this thread, you are clearly very polite, good about following through, and have solid written communication skills. These traits are far less common than you might think. I'd encourage you to figure out how to highlight the follow-through aspects in your job hunt. There are many millions of people with great ideas and there are millions who get started, but there are far fewer who FINISH. You seem like someone who's a finisher.
6) I've said this in other threads, but as a hiring manager I'm looking for smart, energetic, team players who can GET THINGS DONE. Nothing a candidate SAYS in the interview is anywhere near as convincing as what a candidate DOES to solve the problems I mention in the interview. You strike me as a problem-solver and a go-getter. Don't be afraid to highlight the fact that YOU took the initiative to study and get certified. Also, consider following up with SOLUTIONS to problems described in an interview the next day, in your thankyou letter, etc. Enthusiastically proposing well-reasoned solutions to problems will help you stand out. NOTE: some hiring managers will find this to be threatening behavior, so please apply discretion :-)
7) Good luck!
My company only considers college interns for our hiring criteria demands a degree. By bringing on college students, both the intern and our company can decide if this is a good fit towards future employment. Experience is a valuable asset but a degree or the fact that you are working on a degree will open more doors.
Judy Tomlinson
Thank you all for taking the time to respond and for the information provided.
Ms. Gillbanks -- I will be sure to look at contract firms. Thanks for the tip.
Ms. Scholz -- I have thrown a few 'hats in the ring' and would continue to do so. Thank you.
Mr. Buck -- I will be sure to check out fourblock. Hoorah.
Mr. Stevens -- Thank you.
Please send me your resume to stevensjohna@gmail.com. I'm in Maryland and have some IT management/executive contacts as well as employment services folks that can help.
Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
Most IT internships that I know of focus on college students. One place you can check is fourblock.
You can contact Four Block which provides professional development to student-veterans and connect them with internship opportunities at corporations. Our mission is to provide opportunities for student-veterans to obtain the relevant industry experience they need to secure employment and begin new careers upon graduation. Visit our website at www.fourblock.com. (internships@fourblock.com)
Semper Fi
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Richard Buck
(914) 391-3375 (mobile)
76warrior85@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ribuck/
Along with the good advice that Heather provided above, I would also through my "hat in the ring" as it were. Just because they say they are looking for college students, doesn't mean they won't allow you entry. Give them a chance to think outside their own box by allowing you in. If you get the chance, perhaps you will be able to change their mind.
This is a tough one! You are correct - most companies that hire entry-level IT people do so as part of leadership development programs, which typically recruit from top universities. Instead, I'd suggest you try a contract firm, where you may be able to find work at a more junior level. Rather than being an Intern, you begin working under someone else on a contract. Contract firms will move you up their chain as quickly as possible (because you both make more money that way). After a while as a contractor, you can try getting yourself a role at a company permanently. Added bonus: as a contractor, you can check out a number of companies without going through the hiring/ finding a new role process each time. Many times, companies will hire a good contractor permanently, so that is something else to keep in mind (typically, there is a fee paid to the contracting firm, to partially reimburse them for their lost revenue). A third option is contract-to-hire, but with only a course and no work experience, I think that would be a tough sell.
Be sure that your resume is current (meaning, stylistically, as well as for content). Some contract firms will help you with that (they often will take your version and rework it to their format --> I have had some great tips doing that, over the years.
Best of luck!
-heather
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