What types of part-time jobs exist in the IT industry?

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McNulty

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#91666 18-Oct-2011 16:58

Hello, I'm looking for a few professional opinions from current or former hiring managers, please?

I am located in Christchurch and am currently studying full time towards a Diploma in ICT/Network Administration (encompassing a mixture of NZQA modules, ETITO modules and CompTIA and Microsoft certifications).

In order to pay the bills, I work 20 hours/week in a local restaurant.

Even though I enjoy my hospitality job, I feel that it would be beneficial for me to look for work more closely related to what I will be doing in the future, because I would like to hit the ground running with some basic experience as soon as I graduate.

So my question is: what sort of part-time work (evenings, weekends, approx 20 hours per week) exists for an ICT student? Nothing matching that description is widely advertised on the usual channels.

I had considered applying for a part-time retail position somewhere like DSE, Jaycar or even Noel Leeming. Even though these are not related to my (hopeful) future employment I would at least be immersed in technology all day.

As IT professionals, what could you recommend I look for?
Can I approach IT firms and offer my services to them without being laughed out of the building?
What would you look for on the CV of an entry-level/new graduate application?

Thank you.

(p.s Mods please feel free to move this post if you feel it is in the incorrect forum!)

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Networkn
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#534849 18-Oct-2011 17:19

I applaud your attitude, if you were in Auckland, I would have been prepared to take a look at what you had to offer. It's a tough position you are in, and sometimes it's about who you know. Chances are cold calling will not yield great results, but perhaps a well written letter to a few of the places you think would be within your grasp would not go astray.

I think I would send your letter much in the same tone as you have presented yourself here, stating your desire to prepare yourself in advance, as much as is possible, for the role you wish to land eventually.

Don't be too discouraged if you get rebuffed, it's part of the process.

Best of luck with your venture.

kiwigeek1

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#534858 18-Oct-2011 17:40

um all IT jobs are all part time.. they never last.. the competition in the IT field is fierce
and the back stabbing equally as bad :) worse industry for egos

all are hung up on vendor quals.. I have 2 it degrees and been trying to get full time
work in IT for 10 years now

when you have like 300 apply per job and you happy that you get shortlisted in the top 10

thats achievement in itself.. support helpdesk desktop support lan management are heavy
flooded fields..

but if your a new 20 plus year old and not a oldie like some of us and specialising as a code hacker (programmer) you could get one
of those many grad temp jobs where the bosses like to offer to keep their egos in places
and pay peanuts for hard labour

a few appear on seek or visit some main websites for coys l
ike trimble and alike

yeh I tried many jobs outside my field too.. dse and warehouse etc
again if your 20 your in.. but if your too old forget it.

McNulty

152 posts

Master Geek

#534863 18-Oct-2011 17:55

networkn:
Don't be too discouraged if you get rebuffed, it's part of the process.

Best of luck with your venture.

Thanks for your supportive words. If the other chap commenting in this thread is my competition, I'm sure I won't struggle too much when the time comes!

kiwigeek1

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#534868 18-Oct-2011 18:06

im calling how it is.. more so if you live in chch.

you wouldnt have a show against my knowledge in the practical world (its about skills not quals anyone can - basic ms quals are just that applying it is another.. not everyone can pass a uni degree)

Ive taught cpit students and run cad/cam labs lan manager and worked on big
commerical helpdesks done heaps... work for peanutes and earned $40 an hour
but nothing is secure unless youre the boss :)

.. its a bad career field.. hospitality is where the jobs are at so focus there
or medical field or head overseas

your be alot happier...

at home you can do the fun stuff on computers when your bored with the rat race

magu

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BitSignal

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#534873 18-Oct-2011 18:10

Frustrated much? ;)

It's a tough field in terms of competition. But once you're in doing what you love, it's awesome. Help-desk would be a good start, or junior admin at some enterprise environment.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

McNulty

152 posts

Master Geek

#534877 18-Oct-2011 18:15

kiwigeek1: im calling how it is.. more so if you live in chch.

you wouldnt have a show against my knowledge in the practical world (its about skills not quals anyone can - basic ms quals are just that applying it is another.. not everyone can pass a uni degree)

Ive taught cpit students and run cad/cam labs lan manager and worked on big
commerical helpdesks done heaps... work for peanutes and earned $40 an hour
but nothing is secure unless youre the boss :)

.. its a bad career field.. hospitality is where the jobs are at so focus there
or medical field or head overseas

your be alot happier...

at home you can do the fun stuff on computers when your bored with the rat race

I'll be the first one to admit that I have heaps to learn and no experience.
Thanks for your input, I'll keep that in mind.

networkn

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#534884 18-Oct-2011 18:27

McNulty: Please categorically ignore kiwigeek1, he obviously has a chip on his shoulder.

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kiwigeek1

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#534896 18-Oct-2011 18:51

spoken like a it boss.. just ignore the truth :)

Im sure theres many disgruntle IT people out there over 30 or 40 years old..
and a few 20 plus too

no chip just sick of the system and the idiots that run it..who have their own
agenda and views on what a good person is

its early days yet.. once you try and get beat down all the time
you come to trust my advice and look else where

personally if your good at coding look at working at home building
iphone apps thats were the money is.. one app sold $2 to 1 million people
not a bad imcone

beats coding for a company for $40K a year. while they make millions from your work

what my friend did.. hes a millionaire now.. quit his C coding job of $50K and
now earns that in a weekend

not easy though.. he works hard at it. lots of competition

coding is not my thing training and helping people out are my strenghts

why people come to me always for pc help.. my friend now me ell and know I get it
fixed always and stay fixed.

after harvey techs mess it up :)

networkn

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#534904 18-Oct-2011 19:19

Your comments have little or no basis whatsoever, I have been in the industry 17 years, and I have employed 40+ people in that time. I am not surprised you aren't happy, your attitude sucks, and I am sure any intelligent employer knows it.

That or you are trolling.. Either way save your breath

kiwigeek1

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#534914 18-Oct-2011 19:30

and theres plenty of bad bosses in NZ who are control freaks and lack good people skills but i wont judge you
on you and I dont know you.. but seems you and everyone is sure to judge freely without
knowing someone.

i think if you wer ein my shoes and been treated badly by so many you be on my side

anyhow blah..

hope you dont loose your job and have to compete with the rest of us

my first job was running a million dollar mainframe for a large company processing (and no experience
or ever been on mainframe)
payroll and shipping.. i got the job the 2nd day after leaving school .. I didnt even get home
when they phoned up and asked when could i start

darn that bad attitude..

wasnt too scary once read the manual and work with the existing staff learning from them

mind you all those grave yards and shifts you now do in IT can take its toll

networkn

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#534918 18-Oct-2011 19:49

For every bad boss, there are bad employees.

I judged you on your attitude and comments, if you had a bad run, share your personal experience, don't tell a new recruit to get a new career, good grief!

If I lost my job and needed money, make no mistake, I'd dig a ditch, plumb a toilet, or work in IT, without hesitation.

Your experience and your attitude is hardly common place in NZ in my experience, I think you could do with some perspective.

We are now wildly off topic, sorry to the OP.

Chin up champ!

insane

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#535016 19-Oct-2011 02:11

As you're looking for a part time job you could see if one of the ISPs down there have a need for someone on their helpdesk. a Helpdesk job may sound like a lame place to start, however if you've got the right attitude and are willing to learn then you can go places quite quickly, trust me, I've done it.

Try look perhaps at Enable or Snap or even somewhere like CodeBlue, there are a lot of IT companies down there

Regs

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Snowflake

#535109 19-Oct-2011 12:24

as advised try some of the ISPs or IT companies. Even try global companies that might need a night-shift internal helpdesker.

Dont wait for a job to be advertised either - put together a resume and go door knocking. Even if a company is thinking about taking on a part-timer, they probably wont advertise and certainly wont look via an agency/recruiter.

Even if you dont find a position with a company you door knock, they may know someone who knows someone... or they may throw you on a list and call you back.

Someone with a can-do attitude and initative rates highly for a prospective employer.

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Ragnor

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#535128 19-Oct-2011 13:25

Yeah I agree helpdesk for an ISP or tech company is probably you best bet for part time work that's somewhat related to network/sys admin.

My advice would also be to learn how to code in useful languages for sys admin adequately eg: sql, wmi and powershell scripting for windows, python for linux etc.

Most businesses in NZ are small and need generalists rather than specialists, broader knowledge with an ability to learn deeper into a particular area if required seems to be the way these days.

minigopher17

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#535133 19-Oct-2011 13:43

One thing to keep in mind is location. There is plenty of IT work in Auckland or Wellington compared to Christchurch. I was a graduate myself in Christchurch a few years ago - not many options for graduates. AKL and WGN pay significantly more than CHC too, just take into account travel time to work and work/lifestyle choices before deciding to uproot and move.

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