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Computer Programming/Software Engineering is one of the hardest fields to land a first gig. I have put no less than a hundred applications and have had maybe two solid interviews. Luckily I have a job in another field which allows me to pay bill.
Your gpa is a problem with some companies but for most your lack of experience is the issue.
For some crazy reason IT employers want incoming people to have at least a couple of years experience which is
utterly frustrating.
Don't be discourage because you are not the only way dealing with this issue.
***Make sure that even while you are looking for a job that you keep your programming skills FRESH.
Do side projects...Take a few online courses...Do whatever you have to do to stay current and abreast on programming.
***Look into contract positions.
***Network with family members/friends to see if any of them have jobs where they can get you an interview with their company.
***Extend your search to other cities/states.
All you really need is a couple of years experience anywhere and you will be able to move wherever you like.
Programming/Development is a highly sought after occupation. However, most employers are not looking for entry level candidates.
Do give up your search buddy. Keep applying..Keep looking.
Use your school's career services. That's one of the reasons you chose your school. Now is the time to take advantage of it. They have relationships with several companies. Schools want to make sure you get a job quick because it looks good on their reports.
Also, build out your github account and get something published on a popular blog. Even a single mention looks impressive.
Computer Programming/Software Engineering is one of the hardest fields to land a first gig. I have put no less than a hundred applications and have had maybe two solid interviews. Luckily I have a job in another field which allows me to pay bill.
Your gpa is a problem with some companies but for most your lack of experience is the issue.
.
Studies after studies have shown that GPA has nothing to do with how the worker performs. And yet employers continue to place so much importance on it. Although some are starting to ignore it. Like google, who has completely abandoned judging candidates based on GPA.
Here's a real life example of how GPA does not indicate how a worker will perform. My current employer brought in 2 of us to help with a major project. I barely qualified because I lacked experience in this field. The other guy was fresh out of college with several internships for major employers in this field and his GPA was almost a 4.0. From what I've been told, his interview was a glowing success. The company thought they struck gold with this guy. Well, turned out he was all book smart and couldn't apply anything he learned to real life stuff. One Monday morning he came into work to find out that he had a few minutes to gather his things before they escorted him out. I came in with a lesser status because aside from my masters in engineering I had no real world experience. My GPA wasn't that high and I had no internship in engineering. And I'm still here driving a company car.
Employers really need to stop placing such heavy emphasis on GPA.
Studies after studies have shown that GPA has nothing to do with how the worker performs. And yet employers continue to place so much importance on it. Although some are starting to ignore it. Like google, who has completely abandoned judging candidates based on GPA.
Here's a real life example of how GPA does not indicate how a worker will perform. My current employer brought in 2 of us to help with a major project. I barely qualified because I lacked experience in this field. The other guy was fresh out of college with several internships for major employers in this field and his GPA was almost a 4.0. From what I've been told, his interview was a glowing success. The company thought they struck gold with this guy. Well, turned out he was all book smart and couldn't apply anything he learned to real life stuff. One Monday morning he came into work to find out that he had a few minutes to gather his things before they escorted him out. I came in with a lesser status because aside from my masters in engineering I had no real world experience. My GPA wasn't that high and I had no internship in engineering. And I'm still here driving a company car.
Employers really need to stop placing such heavy emphasis on GPA.
They work when you have zero exp. like the OP.
What other criteria will they judge you on? Fraternity membership?
What other criteria will they judge you on? Fraternity membership?
If an employer can't find anything else to base his decision on other than GPA, then there is something wrong with the employer.
The OP may not know it, but he has more under his belt than he thinks. GPA and internships are not all there is. Again, look a the example I gave. This just happened a few months ago. The other guy they hired had a glowing resume, almost a 4.0 GPA, several internships with major employers, and gave a glowing interview. And yet just a few weeks in they let him go.
I on the other hand had no internship with engineering. My GPA, while wasn't as low as the OP's, wasn't that high.
But does that mean I didn't have any experience to offer? I've been a cop, a computer programmer (got several apps published that are earning me a low but steady extra income), and a business owner. What about engineering? I participated in Chicago's young engineering expo research project and presentation a couple a years ago. I designed and experimented an original project that got me 2nd place.
The point is the OP needs to think outside the box. Try to think of what else he's got to offer beside his GPA and internships. After all, high GPA and several internships didn't help the other guy I mentioned. Think outside the box.
This is computer science. There's a lot more than GPA and work experience here. If you have significant contributions on github or stackoverflow, you can get hired pretty quick. Especially if you have recognition in industry blogs.
If an employer can't find anything else to base his decision on other than GPA, then there is something wrong with the employer.
The OP may not know it, but he has more under his belt than he thinks. GPA and internships are not all there is. Again, look a the example I gave. This just happened a few months ago. The other guy they hired had a glowing resume, almost a 4.0 GPA, several internships with major employers, and gave a glowing interview. And yet just a few weeks in they let him go.
I on the other hand had no internship with engineering. My GPA, while wasn't as low as the OP's, wasn't that high.
But does that mean I didn't have any experience to offer? I've been a cop, a computer programmer (got several apps published that are earning me a low but steady extra income), and a business owner. What about engineering? I participated in Chicago's young engineering expo research project and presentation a couple a years ago. I designed and experimented an original project that got me 2nd place.
The point is the OP needs to think outside the box. Try to think of what else he's got to offer beside his GPA and internships. After all, high GPA and several internships didn't help the other guy I mentioned. Think outside the box.
I think the OP is in the "fresh out of Uni at 22; including 1 reference from a next door neighbor" bracket.
Ideally he should have some portfolio of personal projects or start working on them. Coders are in demand but if they have zero projects outside of school.....
I think the OP is in the "fresh out of Uni at 22; including 1 reference from a next door neighbor" bracket.
Ideally he should have some portfolio of personal projects or start working on them. Coders are in demand but if they have zero projects outside of school.....
I know. I'm trying to tell the op to think outside the box. Build an app. Build 2 apps. Design his own projects. My own project got me 2nd place. The worst thing the op can do now is sulking over his low grades and lack of experience. Be proactive.
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