Do I have ANY chance of getting a (real) IT job?

[duragezic]

Wow that guy is a dickhead. You should be glad you didn't get the job if it meant working for him. If they had no interest he could simply have said "you're not who we're looking for at the moment".

Although a 4 year degree would really help, it seems like you have enough for an entry level/help desk job.

Only two interviews is very low. Have you applied a lot of places?

Would it be possible to go back for a 4 year degree? It might mean taking on some loans, but I think it could be worth it. I would really try hard on applying to more places, and if in ~6 months you find nothing, do the 4 year degree.

 

[Harrod]

Look for a datacenter/help desk job, these are pretty easy, and some of them have alot of downtime. I did this for about a year and a half out of college and did a self study CCNA and got a sizable raise. It really isn't that hard to break into, as long as you are not completely clueless.

 

[TXHokie]

Yes...just gotta persevere.

You're talking to a guy who started with a 4 yrs degree (not even IT related) and started his IT career doing data entry temp jobs and laser printer technician. But you know what, data entry got me darn good at entering data via keypad without looking. And being a technician, I got good at taking any electronic equipment apart and put it back together even if I've never done it before. The technician job got me into another field technician job maintaining post office vending machine which turns out to be just a regular PC with touchscreen and cash reader underneath. Also volunteered at the local community center to set up a little computer network and teach old people on how to use computers and internet. Worked two yrs as technician before I got a job doing desktop support and then another three years before I got to be a sysadmin taking the position of a person that quit. Every job along the way is a learning experience no matter how menial.

If I were you, I would've spent the last 10-11 months since you got your degree working at Geek Squad instead of Target retail. It would've looked a bit more IT relevant if I was applying for entry level. Some of us get lucky, but a lot of us worked from the bottom up.

Oh, and that guy that shot you down. He's a jerk and you'll run into a few out there in your career. But keep your head up and keep at it.

 

[MarkRatcliff]

Wow that guy is a dickhead. You should be glad you didn't get the job if it meant working for him. If they had no interest he could simply have said "you're not who we're looking for at the moment".

Although a 4 year degree would really help, it seems like you have enough for an entry level/help desk job.

Only two interviews is very low. Have you applied a lot of places?

Would it be possible to go back for a 4 year degree? It might mean taking on some loans, but I think it could be worth it. I would really try hard on applying to more places, and if in ~6 months you find nothing, do the 4 year degree.

Thank you everyone for the advice! I feel better now.

I was thinking about going back for a bachelor's degree, but, honestly, I don't think I have it in me after I looked into the degree plans at the state university here. I honestly don't think (actually, 99% sure) I wouldn't even make it through the mathematics required for a bachelor's level computer science here (it goes beyond calculus III....).

However, I do think I would be able to get a bachelor's degree in subject like political science. Would that help me get IT jobs? I mean, I know of course that has nothing to do with IT, but would it at least check off the "Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes/No" box, and my AAS would help compensate for the fact it wasn't in an IT field? Or would it do nothing for me still?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Look for a datacenter/help desk job, these are pretty easy, and some of them have alot of downtime. I did this for about a year and a half out of college and did a self study CCNA and got a sizable raise. It really isn't that hard to break into, as long as you are not completely clueless.

Yeah this is a good way to get into a company, and the job itself will give you lot of experience with that particular company's operations as you'll see various aspects while there. Higher end IT jobs rarely go public, as they go internal first, they only go public if nobody internal applies, so it's something to keep in mind. Never put down an entry level job.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Free/paid internships, summer/seasonal hire, volunteer, but most importantly -- don't give up. Ever.

Also -- there's a lot more to IT than fixing computers. Geeksquad type work is just one small aspect -- but it'll help you get into helpdesks -- which is your foot in the door. System Integration, Architecture, Proj....ect Man..age..ment.... *keels over*. Edit: However you should be able to get a helpdesk job with your degree alone.

What's the stereotype of project management?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I feel better now.

I was thinking about going back for a bachelor's degree, but, honestly, I don't think I have it in me after I looked into the degree plans at the state university here. I honestly don't think (actually, 99% sure) I wouldn't even make it through the mathematics required for a bachelor's level computer science here (it goes beyond calculus III....).

However, I do think I would be able to get a bachelor's degree in subject like political science. Would that help me get IT jobs? I mean, I know of course that has nothing to do with IT, but would it at least check off the "Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes/No" box, and my AAS would help compensate for the fact it wasn't in an IT field? Or would it do nothing for me still?

Computer Science and IT aren't the same thing - double check that course catalog for an IT-centric bachelor's program. Probably won't go past Calc 2.

Have you considered relocating? I mean, if local job options really are Oil Company and Target... I'm probably just reading into it too much but it sounds like maybe it's a little more South Dakota than Chicago.

 

[saratoga172]

Computer Science and IT aren't the same thing - double check that course catalog for an IT-centric bachelor's program. Probably won't go past Calc 2.

Have you considered relocating? I mean, if local job options really are Oil Company and Target... I'm probably just reading into it too much but it sounds like maybe it's a little more South Dakota than Chicago.

This. For me it was biz calc 2 for the MIS degree I was studying for. Biz calc is much, much easier than calc for engineering majors. We also focused more on statistics which I'm finding useful now helping with report creation and BI (component I got roped into...yay more $$$$).

Keep your head up and keep applying. The market you're in matters and you really just need some base level experience to get you going. I had the same problem when I initially applied for positions. Check with Dell if they have a call center in your area or other companies. Those can branch off into something more.

 

[postmortemIA]

Only IT jobs (using that term loosely here) in demand are programming/engineering jobs. In that field there's higher demand than supply, and employers will not hire anybody. Because wrong person in a team is worse than one less person.

Rest of the IT field sucks. There are people looking for jobs with vast experience. You're not going to beat them. You shouldn't apply to same jobs as they do - alas your last experience.

If you can't go programming route, I feel sorry for you... all these certs and associate degrees are only giving jobs to ones who teach them.

 

[james1701]

Don't feel bad, I was in the same boat as you up until this fall. I held a GPA of 4.0, with an externship. A week after being there, the owner was going on vacation and would send me to do server installs on my own. I worked there part time for almost a year while trying to transfer into a networking position inside my own company. I hold multiple degrees and disciplines, but for some reason could not get any traction.

One day, there was a system data analyst position posted outside the IT department. I was so burnt out on applications, and interviews I was not even going to apply. For some reason, I did. Normally I am the type of person that hates to brag on oneself, but this time I did it different. My interview was with two of the administrators of the company I work for. I went in with my ears pinned back and let them know about everything I had done, right down to scrapping bubblegum off the floor because no one else would.

Guess what, I now have my own large office and have never been happier. Don't be afraid to step outside the box and look for things off the beaten path. The job I applied for was listed under administration instead of support. It took me over two years since I graduated to find it. Jobs are there, but you have to be creative, and very communicative in your interview. Don't lie, but fluff it up and sell yourself. I do have multiple degrees, but no BA degree. That does not mean I don't have more education time than someone with a masters degree. You have to find the correct angle to sell yourself in the interview. Don't get discouraged.

 

[kranky]

Lots of good suggestions in the replies, OP. Don't be discouraged by what one person says. I especially like the volunteering suggestion - there has to be some non-profits around you who could use some IT help that you can turn into "experience". But if you go that route, keep it simple. Don't implement something that nobody but you can maintain as it only makes things worse.

Are you exploiting your college's career center? Have you joined a professional organization to make contacts?

He said those things to you?

You should have tape recorded the conversation then sued the company to the ground. Sorry, but those remarks don't fly in this day and age.

Not only is this a ludicrous reply, it's the kind of thinking that makes interviewers refuse to talk to applicants outside the actual interview. Where do you live that there's a law that forbids telling an applicant why they weren't hired?

 

[BlueMeanie]

It is all about networking with people and gaining experience.

I was working part time at a retail computer store doing sales and worked my way in with the computer repair guys. Eventually they let me work on computers. This was only over a 9 month period.

From there one of the guys referred me to a family friend who was hiring. I got hired as a part time IT/Help Desk grunt at his families tractor dealership. This lasted about a year.

Then I applied for a temp to hire full time IT/Help Desk position for the local county government. I was hired based on my experience. This was a 9 month position. I was able to apply for a permanent position after this time, and was instantly made a generous offer based on my experience and connections with the IT crowd at the company.

I have moved around to a few other jobs since then. Currently, I am an application developer at a large healthcare company.

While I was working part time, I taking college classes. I got my AS in information systems, and a lot of credits working on a BS in computer science.

Pretty much none of the people who I met were my best friends or anything. You can get far by people just knowing who you are and that you do good work. After you gain that initial 1-2 years experience, it is easier to just apply for a job you want and get hired based on your resume.

 

[Smoblikat]

I got my first IT job at 18 years old working as desktop support for Dell. All you have to do is go on the major job application websites (monster, dice, ITjobs) and apply to every single one that says help desk or desktop support. When you go for an interview, jus tbe yourself and pretend like you dont give a F, people really appreciate having a chill IT guy around. Using this strategy, I worked at Dell for many yeas, moved onto fidelity investments, and now have a perfect job doing IT for a school district.

Good luck.

 

[Protoman25]

Kind of late to the thread but I agree with everyone about getting experience in the field. Started out like you with no experience and an associates degree. Took a low level phone support job at Charter, which got my foot in the door experience-wise at a Geek Squad repair center (different from the in-store GS where we actually repaired things) earned my bachelors while I was there, and from there I got a job as the IT guy at a local branch of an international company.

So don't give up and don't let people like that discourage you. Learn from every failed interview, use that going forward, and try to get all the experience you can.

 

[Exterous]

3. If Target is paying the bills, then go scout out any IT job that isn't Geek Squad (since you don't like them) that pays at least what Target pays. Find a local PC repair shop (you'll be a slave, but you'll build experience

A local repair place is definitely something to look into. They are often looking for people like you (low experience and, therefore, lower wage) but usually have a couple of really knowledgeable people you can learn from. And, if you can show them you have 2 brain cells and will show up for work reliably, they'll keep you around and train you. Its a great way to get that experience.

I wouldn't discount Geek Squad though. Its going to have more tech appeal than Target. Not everyone will know that you just run a DVD or have someone in India remote in. Sadly getting a job isn't always about being the right person for the job - its often ticking the right boxes for the job. I honestly think that Geek Squad will help more than staying at Target

The sales aspect isn't a terrible thing either. Yeah it sucks but it does give you experience in interacting with people. In my experience there are a lot of places that want their helpdesk to have customer service skills and will be willing to train a lot of the technical aspects if you can show you can string a sentence together without being awkward.

Would that help me get IT jobs? I mean, I know of course that has nothing to do with IT, but would it at least check off the "Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes/No" box, and my AAS would help compensate for the fact it wasn't in an IT field? Or would it do nothing for me still?

I think it would help. Its unfortunate but a lot of places use a college degree as a culling tool. And I don't think your field matters as much as the paper. It seems like people with degrees in IT are in the minority in IT. My last boss had an MBA, my current one has a degree in Psych as did the Sysadmin two jobs ago. I am a Sysadmin and have a degree in Architecture. Of the 5 sysadmins in my current job only 1 had an IT degree before working here.

Don't loose hope yet!

 

[msw1382]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I feel better now.

I was thinking about going back for a bachelor's degree, but, honestly, I don't think I have it in me after I looked into the degree plans at the state university here. I honestly don't think (actually, 99% sure) I wouldn't even make it through the mathematics required for a bachelor's level computer science here (it goes beyond calculus III....).

However, I do think I would be able to get a bachelor's degree in subject like political science. Would that help me get IT jobs? I mean, I know of course that has nothing to do with IT, but would it at least check off the "Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes/No" box, and my AAS would help compensate for the fact it wasn't in an IT field? Or would it do nothing for me still?

I didn't read the other replies so I'm sorry if I duplicate what was already said.

I started my IT career in Best Buy before it was "Geek Squad". It was by chance that I actually landed a job that fell under your definition of "real IT". It was a customer I was assisting from an engineering firm. He liked my personality and the fact that I was able to help him quickly. One thing led to another and I had my first real job that followed my career path.

Any experience is good experience. I now am in a position where I manage a team of 24 throughout the US. I've hired and fired people and know what I look for in a candidate. When I go into an interview I first look for personality. These positions are customer facing so a good personality is key. Second I look for tech experience... any tech experience. If I find someone that has worked in a Geek Squad type role for a year or two they will move up my list and will at least have a phone interview with me. More often than not if someone holds one of these positions for a couple years they have good customer service skills which goes a LONG way in SD or HD roles. Help desk\Service desk is entry level so i'm not looking for a network admin or someone that has 2-3 years of experience in a corporation, just someone that can show me they can learn new technologies.

In short, go get a retail tech job. I know i'm not the only one out there that looks for those candidates. There is value in any experience! Showing this on your resume is far more important than a bachelors degree at this point in your career.

In addition, you don't want to work for someone that treats you like that anyway. The person he hired will most likely quit within the 1st year.

 

[mvbighead]

#1 - That guy was a douche. Period. End of story.

#2 - His POV may have been true from his standpoint, but there are a NUMBER of places that either hire at the lower end of the skill set (they'd pay less most likely). His point about geek squad, although rude, could at least get you some trouble shooting experience, which could help a bit in landing a helpdesk role. Your current position at Target is likely not at all enticing for someone looking to hire a helpdesk guy.

For me, I went for a bachelors degree in MIS, and during that time I worked at a small shop as a PC repair tech. The pay was pretty mediocre ($10.50 an hour), but I learned skills there that were valuable for my next role. After graduation, I moved to a helpdesk role where I was stuck for a couple of years as there were no positions to advance into (that company referred to the next step up as a LAN administrator). I did eventually move up and over the next 5 years my title was bumped up which lead to a couple of decent raises here and there.

Eventually I moved on to a Systems Engineer position, and then a Senior Systems Engineer. And here I sit.

I work around a handful of guys with no college education who are very good at what they do. I also work around some guys with very levels of experience/degree, and some do and some don't know what they are doing. Sometimes, you simply have to find a place to get your foot in the door. Then apply yourself.

Generally speaking, experience will get you in the door likely more so than a degree. You should simply put yourself out there in any number of technical applications until you find a place willing to invest time into to training you. That may be desktop repair for consumer PCs, that could be a large shop with a good number of helpdesk employees and systems admins to learn from. The first thing you need to do is move on from Target and into a position that more closely follows your intended career path. If you're striking out at helpdesk, try desktop repair. It's at least a step in the right direction.

 

[CPA]

He said those things to you?

You should have tape recorded the conversation then sued the company to the ground. Sorry, but those remarks don't fly in this day and age.

Lol, while the guy is a douche, there's nothing he said that is sue-worthy. Maybe you need to be protesting with those college kids that need safe zones and need to be coddled.

 

[gorcorps]

Not everybody hires people with only college experience. It's a huge risk because academia is vastly different than the working world, and it costs money to hire and train new people. So, don't be discouraged by companies who don't hire without experience. You have to keep looking for someone who does... and it probably won't be the type of job you want at first but it'll get your foot in the door for future positions.

 

[gorcorps]

He said those things to you?

You should have tape recorded the conversation then sued the company to the ground. Sorry, but those remarks don't fly in this day and age.

It's not illegal to hurt someone's feelings, he's just an ass. If he didn't say anything about race, religion, or sex then they have every right to not hire somebody based on experience.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Meh, assumptions are being made. Collectively, everyone assumes that the story regarding the phone call is 100% accurate.

 

[gorcorps]

Meh, assumptions are being made. Collectively, everyone assumes that the story regarding the phone call is 100% accurate.

Does it matter? The point wasn't the phone call, it was "Do I have ANY chance of getting a (real) IT job?"

With or without that story the question still remains: given his degree and lack of experience, what should the OP do?

 

[purbeast0]

Only IT jobs (using that term loosely here) in demand are programming/engineering jobs. In that field there's higher demand than supply, and employers will not hire anybody. Because wrong person in a team is worse than one less person.

Rest of the IT field sucks. There are people looking for jobs with vast experience. You're not going to beat them. You shouldn't apply to same jobs as they do - alas your last experience.

If you can't go programming route, I feel sorry for you... all these certs and associate degrees are only giving jobs to ones who teach them.

the bolded really depends on the company. i work in government space with a ton of contracting companies. the big guys in this industry will hire anybody just to fill a spot so they can make money. my company on the other hand, our rate of making offers to people is 10% of people interviewed get offers, and obviously not everyone takes them.

developers/engineers are a dime a dozen, it's the good ones that are hard to come by.

 

[TwiceOver]

I have an AAS degree in an even broader area of IT and no certifications. I'm employed because of knowing people and being seen in local groups.

It also helps I don't live in a major city so I'm not competing against a billion other people.

 

[core2slow]

Gotta pay your dues like the rest of us who have gone through the same road to get where we at today.

With an A+, I've done 3yrs of desktop support, 2yrs of jr level sysadmin and have been a sys engineer/architect for the last 5yrs. Of course, since the A+ i also had a CCNA, MCP, MCSE and duty-related certs (citrix CCA, CCAA, CCEE).

Quite honestly, anybody can read a book for a month and go take a cert, but experience is key and to an employer they need to know if you have: the basics (and that's through entry level HD jobs), if you know the fundamental of system operations (sysadmin duties) and if you know how to deploy, diagram, execute a project (usually engineer/architect duties).

Yes, some people don't need to start at the bottom, but more often than not, every job is different, every company operates just a little bit differently with their own procedure and steps and it takes resource to train someone. Most IT jobs will just throw you in a cage and expect you to diagnose a problem and that's when you need to rely on skills and experience. IT is one of those fields where certification is marginally necessary compare to years of experience. If a hiring manager sees your resume filled with academics with little to no experience vs. someone who's been in the thick of things for +10yrs working from the bottom on up, it's easy to know which one is getting hired.

Good luck and don't give up.