| Getting that first computer job and getting your | | | | school, you have two great resources to draw on |
| IT career started can be tough - and you've got | | | | in your job search. First, schedule an interview |
| to go the extra mile to get it started! Learn how | | | | with someone in the job placement assistance |
| from Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933. | | | | department. Ask them what you can do to help |
| Almost all computer schools and colleges have | | | | them get your computer career started. Showing |
| some sort of job placement assistance (and you | | | | initiative will also help you stand out from the |
| should ask about this before signing up!). The | | | | crowd, and there's nothing wrong with that. |
| people who work in these departments work | | | | Your second resource is a group of resources, |
| very hard to get your computer career started | | | | actually - your instructors. Odds are that your |
| and get you into your first job in the computer | | | | teachers know people in IT that can help get you |
| field, but you shouldn't leave it all up to them. You | | | | started. Even if the people they know can't hire |
| need to know how to build two kinds of | | | | you today, they're still contacts. And getting your |
| networks to get ahead in IT - the physical kind | | | | computer career started is a contact sport - the |
| that carries packets, and the personal kind that | | | | more people you contact, the better you do! |
| can get you hired and get you ahead. | | | | I know how hard it can be to get a computer |
| When it comes to getting that first computer job, | | | | career started, and I also know how lucrative |
| you have to show initiative. Don't just send a pile | | | | such a career can be. Get out there and meet |
| of resumes out and expect the phone to ring off | | | | people, get involved with your school's job |
| the hook. If you're attending a computer training | | | | placement department, and get started! |