Entry level summer IT job that doesn't require lots of phone support?

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shermanp

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#154474 29-Oct-2014 12:12

Hi folks.

I'm currently finishing up my first semester at Unitec (Bachelor of Computing Systems), and am looking at opportunities for jobs over the summer break.

One of the main roles to apply for seems to be helpdesk at an ISP or IT company. However I have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and I can have difficulty hearing people on the phone, especially in an environment where other people are talking around me.

Does anybody have any suggestions on other types of summer IT jobs I could apply for, or ways that the above issues could be mitigated?

Thank you

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1164332 29-Oct-2014 14:17

This is what I did...

Print out 10 or more CVs tailored to computing, or if you're dedicated, each company you are intending on applying for. Do your research on each company. Stroll in with a CV and ask to speak to the manager/person in charge that day. Introduce yourself, ask them if they have room for you and that you are most interested in learning and you are about ready to get in to the industry. Make sure you put on a big smile and perhaps ask a question formulated on research you did before hand. Make sure you dress nicely. Not suit and tie, but formal dress...long sleeve shirt and dress pants....etc.

Ask for a business card. Write a follow up email or make a phone call that evening telling him/her how great it was to meet them and that you are looking forward to any opportunities that may come up. It won't take long before someone calls you back.

I worked at a computer company in Warkworth while at school, but the time for me to leave was nearing. One morning I was invited in to the neighboring building (some architecture company) to shelter from a sudden down-pour and told the guy my story while we waited. He said he had a friend that was looking for someone in my field and gave me his business card. Called them that day and had approved part time work there before I had even left my previous position. I was there for a few years before pursuing a diploma in advanced 3D animation. I still have a very strong relationship with the owners. It was all thanks to some guy I had never met that was nice enough to shelter me from rain while the tech with the key to our building showed up...

EDIT: It's definitely a good idea to approach computer companies, but talk to everybody, friends, family, extended family...etc that you are looking for a job in that particular field. You will be surprised how often you might hear "My husbands brother has a cousin that runs a computer company that is growing really fast and he needs people!"

The up front, physical face to face method works much better than a phone call or email because it shows you care, you are dedicated and determined enough to get off your anus and stand face to face with the big cheese. That's appreciated by a lot of business owners. They are far more likely to give you a shot than some anti-social yet educated guy that only sent an email and nothing else. This might be quite hard if you aren't used to people or applying for jobs face to face, but it works so much better than trolling the internet. You're far more likely to find yourself in a paid position over an "internship" you might find on TradeMe.

That said, TradeMe, Seek...etc are all necessary evils and you should exhaust all avenues at your disposal. Student job search is a great place too, have a look there.

I worked for a large telco a few years ago as a technical support agent and worked my way up to complex technical. During the interview I was asked why I wanted to work there...Previously I looked up their key values on their website and based my answers on those values. I was also given a heads up on some things that would make the butter easier to slice through before the interview, but the bottom line is research, eye contact, manners, dress and general all-'round friendliness will land you a job much quicker than a qualification on paper in this industry. At the time, I had zero qualifications...Only experience.

Good luck!
David

HawK89

75 posts

Master Geek

#1164531 29-Oct-2014 17:59

Dravid, how would you suggest someone to obtain experience in the IT industry? Do businesses offer work experience these days?

Flickky

303 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1164564 29-Oct-2014 19:04

There's always ways to gain experience and internships. Summer of Tech ran earlier this year with a whole heap of awesome tech companies but that finished earlier this year.

Realistically if you want some really solid work experience over this summer leaving it until the end of October isn't the best idea - most large companies have internships where you'd need to apply for months in advance.

Surely Unitec have partnered up with some companies to offer chances at internships?

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1164602 29-Oct-2014 20:06

HawK89: Dravid, how would you suggest someone to obtain experience in the IT industry? Do businesses offer work experience these days?

They aren't begging for it, but they aren't closed boxes either. Small to medium sized businesses are probably the best candidates. But as previously mentioned, larger enterprise level companies offer internships and other means of gaining experience.

Telecommunications companies will pay you to learn their systems as part of the job! The trick is, you need some experience to back you up. A small to medium sized business has far more control over what happens within the business and are often much easier to communicate with and/or talk to directly. Which means your odds of scoring something part time, or even just casual Saturdays to learn things here or there is much higher. All you need is their name on your CV. That is what gets you through the door. Of course, the more experience you have and the more names you have makes you a more attractive prospect.

I am currently wanting to learn how to build a rotary engine. Do you think I can find a single educational outlet that does that specifically? Nope! As of Monday, I've sent emails, knocked on doors and talked to various rotary mechanics about casual learning sessions and potential hands on work. I'm a full time IT Manager, part time mobile computer repair specialist and my free time is typically Saturdays. I've had one guy get back to me who has said he is willing to show me a thing or two on quiet Saturdays, but only works till 1PM. It's perfect, and I can to all my work in between!

Flickky:
Realistically if you want some really solid work experience over this summer leaving it until the end of October isn't the best idea - most large companies have internships where you'd need to apply for months in advance.

Surely Unitec have partnered up with some companies to offer chances at internships?

The only way I see October not being ideal is that the later you leave it, the longer you risk some other guy getting in to your potential spot! Act fast, work hard and you will get what you want.

You will also be surprised regarding internships and deals various educational institutions have with industry. It can change with the flip of a coin and often does not work out for a lot of students. Unless demand is ultra high, you really do need to be tippy top of the class. That is how it was with 3D animation at least. I left school and the industry tanked the next week. Hundreds were let go from popular studios and half my class was left out to dry and most of us are in different jobs. Not so easy for the IT industry to do so, but if there is some sort of lul, everyone suffers. I guess the bottom line is, don't hedge your bets on your university to get you a job after they have done what you paid them for.

Also, be very careful as to what you sign your name to with regards to internships. No protection, little or no income, no guarantees. Students end up rightly doing the hard yards, extra hours and dirty work only to find out they have been used and abused until new students can take their place once they are either burnt out, or sick of being worked for free.