How can I gain some experience?

Bacsilove

I'm currently enrolling at my community college to get my A.A.S degree for Networking Specialist, which according to you guys, won't really matter to anything . However, I figure that having a degree is better than nothing and since I've already started the program, it would be dumb to quit at this point. I will have my A+ and Network+ before the end of this year. And by spring of next year I will have my degree. I don't have any certification or degree atm.

I've been building and repairing computer for friends and family members since I was 17. So I guess you can say that I know a little bit about computer.

What can I do to add IT related occupations and references to my resume? I'm willing to work for free.

2E151

See if your community college has any internships, I know mine takes on acouple of students every semester as "lab rats" to basically help the instructor help set up labs. Network with the people in your class; many times you'll have established professionals going back to their local CC to get certs. Advertise on Craigslist to repair and fix computers. Call around to some of the local IT & Telecom companies and see if they have any internships available.

Check out your local Air Force, Marine, Navy or Army National Guard or Reserve units. You ought to have some kind of Communications or Signal Company within commutting distance. I know alot of people who cringle at this option, but you basically get paid to get your initial training, have guaranteed paycheck once a month for the next 4-6 years, and get free college tution out of it. It's not for everyone, but it catapulted my career from manual labor to a stable Telecom job making 50K+.

mikedisd2

Bacsilove wrote: »

What can I do to add IT related occupations and references to my resume? I'm willing to work for free.

I've had a big break twice in my life by doing work experience with people I know in business, or through friends of the family. It's about networking with people, and if you can show you're hard working, competent and likable, you may just get invested in.

powerfool

Also, your college, or a four-year college in your area, may have openings within their IT departments. For the purposes of cost savings and staying true to their mission, colleges tend to fill most of their position with students. In addition, many times you get a tuition benefit, as well (especially at four-year colleges and universities).

NetworkingStudent

Bacsilove wrote: »

I'm currently enrolling at my community college to get my A.A.S degree for Networking Specialist, which according to you guys, won't really matter to anything . However, I figure that having a degree is better than nothing and since I've already started the program, it would be dumb to quit at this point. I will have my A+ and Network+ before the end of this year. And by spring of next year I will have my degree. I don't have any certification or degree atm.

I've been building and repairing computer for friends and family members since I was 17. So I guess you can say that I know a little bit about computer.

What can I do to add IT related occupations and references to my resume? I'm willing to work for free.

Go to Volunteer Match type your zip code in the first search box
and type computers or computer in the second box. This strategy has worked great for me. I have gotten some responses using this method. Also, there are a lot of opportunities for someone willing to volunteer their time.
VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins

Easter seals has opportunities too.. again type computers or computer for the search term.
Easter Seals : Volunteering

Try Craigs List and post in the volunteer or Computer gig section for your city and state, and mention that you are an IT student with computer building and troubleshooting experience, and that you want to volunteer at an organization or company in your free time. You will get probably some replies. Although, this method does work, it requires careful examination of emails and offers received.

Volunteer at Free Geek
A brief vide on what free geek is and how to get involved

YouTube - Welcome to Free Geek

The Locations:
Free Geek Intergalactic (Earth, Milky Way Galaxy)
Free Geek (Portland, aka the Mothership)
Free Geek Arkansas (in Fayetteville)
Free Geek Chicago (Illinois)
Free Geek Columbus (Ohio)
Free Geek Michiana (South Bend, Indiana)
Free Geek Providence (Providence, Rhode Island)
Free Geek SoCal (Thousand Oaks, California)
Free Geek Toronto (Toronto, ON)
Free Geek Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota)
Free Geek Vancouver (Vancouver, BC)
Born Again Technologies (in Tennessee)

Check Patch….this is a community newspaper, and it looks like they have a section on volunteering. You would have to locate you city and state.

Patch

Above all else, be and act professional in everything you say and do. Eventually the doors will open and you won’t even have to knock.

Good Luck, hope this helps.

Bacsilove

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Go to Volunteer Match type your zip code in the first search box
and type computers or computer in the second box. This strategy has worked great for me. I have gotten some responses using this method. Also, there are a lot of opportunities for someone willing to volunteer their time.
VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins

Easter seals has opportunities too.. again type computers or computer for the search term.
Easter Seals : Volunteering

Try Craigs List and post in the volunteer or Computer gig section for your city and state, and mention that you are an IT student with computer building and troubleshooting experience, and that you want to volunteer at an organization or company in your free time. You will get probably some replies. Although, this method does work, it requires careful examination of emails and offers received.

Volunteer at Free Geek
A brief video on what free geek is and how to get involved

YouTube - Welcome to Free Geek

Patch

Above all else, be and act professional in everything you say and do. Eventually the doors will open and you won’t even have to knock.

Good Luck, hope this helps.

Great post! Volunteermatch is such a wonderful website. I can't wait to test out of the other. Thanks!