How's the IT job markets for entry-level developers? (San Diego: credit, school)

[homie01]

Is it good? Most always say - apply to Qualcomm - but what if they're not interested in wireless stuff? On the other hand, most computer grads will end up taking a security clearance working defense companies (Spawar, BAE, Grumman, etc).

I'm working in the IT field now, but have some buddies who are recent CS grads and they're having trouble landing good-paying jobs here. Sure, they can get a $10/hr technical support job to start (but my friend already did that in school) and looking for more of a software engineer role. Most job ads he sees are like 5+ year experience in (.NET/C#, SQL Server 2005, J2EE/Struts, AJAX) but we're talking about entry-level here.

Is outsourcing or preference for hiring H1B a problem here in SD? Could that be the problem? He's about to get his degree in a few weeks and has no problem getting Master in say, law or medicine. Should he continue in this field - especially in SD? Btw, he wants something stable (not contracting 6-9 months here and there).

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by homie01

Is it good? Most always say - apply to Qualcomm - but what if they're not interested in wireless stuff? On the other hand, most computer grads will end up taking a security clearance working defense companies (Spawar, BAE, Grumman, etc).

I'm working in the IT field now, but have some buddies who are recent CS grads and they're having trouble landing good-paying jobs here. Sure, they can get a $10/hr technical support job to start (but my friend already did that in school) and looking for more of a software engineer role. Is outsourcing or preference for hiring H1B a problem here in SD?

You can't get into Qualcomm without a BSCS, but if you have one, it is a good option. The defense subcontracting is a great option.

Entry level is extremely tight in SD and everywhere. That is a national trend. If you graduate without any hands-on programming skills, you are behind the curve.

There is some outsourcing and H1-B but that is everywhere now. I would beware of getting into a QA role as it often means you end up stuck there. Just keep at it and usually something opens up.

[homie01]

I started as a QA for some mobile company - and it was a waste of time (as I didn't do any programming, but merely spreadsheet stuff). I'm telling CS grads not to do QA or tech support as they'll be stuck with it in a few years to the point they might change career. Doesn't Qualcomm has a new grads program? What private companies are looking for computer grads (IT/CIS/CS)?

For me, while I have a job in IT doing a bit of development, I see of my buddies graduate and have trouble find jobs, so I'm worry about changing jobs as well, and don't know what advice to give to them or even myself.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by homie01

For me, while I have a job in IT doing a bit of development, I see of my buddies graduate and have trouble find jobs, so I'm worry about changing jobs as well, and don't know what advice to give to them.

Make sure to be technically strong, good communication skills, don't be nerdy, you will go far :-)

[dhe]

I have found IT in San Diego to be a bit tough. There seem to be a high saturation of technical people, and the pay here is lower than average. The people that make money are those that specialize in something that is hard to find. Example: we have a programmer for our CRM that is really good, and it's hard to find anyone that specializes in this specific piece of software. From his perspective, there are only a handful of companies in San Diego that use this software, so his options are limited. But he is gainfully employed.

Entry level is going to be tough anywhere. I'd recommend keeping yourself open to working anywhere on anything for a few years, and then taking that experience to a targeted area. The less desirable the city, the more you'll get paid. Then once you've held a job that paid a certain amount, you can use that as leverage to earn more elsewhere. Expect offers from SD to be on the low-end unless you're highly specialized with a lot of experience.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by homie01

Is it good? Most always say - apply to Qualcomm - but what if they're not interested in wireless stuff? On the other hand, most computer grads will end up taking a security clearance working defense companies (Spawar, BAE, Grumman, etc).

I'm working in the IT field now, but have some buddies who are recent CS grads and they're having trouble landing good-paying jobs here. Sure, they can get a $10/hr technical support job to start (but my friend already did that in school) and looking for more of a software engineer role. Most job ads he sees are like 5+ year experience in (.NET/C#, SQL Server 2005, J2EE/Struts, AJAX) but we're talking about entry-level here.

Is outsourcing or preference for hiring H1B a problem here in SD? Could that be the problem? He's about to get his degree in a few weeks and has no problem getting Master in say, law or medicine. Should he continue in this field - especially in SD? Btw, he wants something stable (not contracting 6-9 months here and there).

Everyone in every area is having trouble landing a good-paying job here. This is a really hard time to be looking for work. We just had a layoff of 50(ish) out of a group of 2000(ish).

Most technical job ads are "in your dreams". I caught on to that when I saw ads asking for 5 years of C++ experience when the C++ standard had not even existed for 5 years. Technical job ads are good only for determining what technologies a company is interested in. You can pretty much ignore the 'years of experience' stuff. If you know the technology they want, send 'em your resume!

Statistically, want-ads play a very small role in getting technical jobs. Overwhelmingly, technical jobs are obtained through networking. So make the most of any opportunity to network. Join a local 'special-interest' group in an area that you know, for example, and attend the meetings and talk to people.

I'm not aware of any preference for hiring H1B in San Diego. But then, I've always worked for government contractors, and they don't tend to do H1B because of the difficulties with security clearances. My nephew worked commercial in San Diego and actually lost one position due to out-sourcing. A year later, he heard that company was no longer out-sourcing because it costs them just as much to manage an off-shore group of employees as it costed them to pay the higher salary/benefits to local employees. I think that the trend to back away from outsourcing in technical areas will continue.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

You can't get into Qualcomm without a BSCS ...

Actually, I'd guess that any BS degree is a possibility. Physics, math, any of the engineering degrees, etc. I interviewed with them (didn't get the job) with a BSEE. The reason I didn't get the job was that at the time of my interview I didn't really know how to program in C. :-) (The reason they bothered to take the time to interview me was, they said, because I was honest enough to say so in my cover letter!)

And I can't say for Qualcomm itself, but I've worked for two large engineering companies that hired people without a BS but with an unacreditted diploma from a 'technical school'. They were hired in at a level above intern but below degreed engineer. It was about two years' difference in level. Over a career of 20 or 30 years, that's not a huge impediment.