job search help

alright /prog/, here's the deal.

I'm currently a college student in computer science, finishing out my first year. I plan on dropping out and becoming an electrician, the only problem being that my apprenticeship doesn't start until next year (september 09), which means i'll have a year off.

So basically i guess my question is, what should I do with that time? Since I do have skills with computers, I was considering trying to get a job working a help desk or becoming a Junior SysAdmin of some sort, would that be possible with my level of education? Any particular skills that I should make sure to have before trying to apply somewhere? How difficult would it be to try and get a job doing something like this? I think doing something like this would be more worth my time (both time spent and money earned) than just working at the local video store or stacking boxes at the supermarket.

I can answer any other questions you may have about my situation if you need, also I live in Massachusetts if that helps at all (no idea where to apply, can UMass give assistence with finding a job even though i won't be coming back next year, and i need more than just a summer internship? Was thinking of talking to my C Programming teacher about it, i don't know...)

electrician? in MY /prog/?

It's more likely than you think.

also, wtf @ becoming an electrician?

>>2

To be frank, its a shitty field, long hours and no job security for anyone who isn't a genius, and it isn't even easy when you're a genius since they never want to pay you enough.

I like using tools (both digital and otherwise), hate the US school system (ALL of it, high school AND college), and can't stand cubicles. It's a guaranteed job, good pay (base pay here is 70k for journeyman wiremen), and I get paid good money as an apprentice instead of getting into loads of debt.

What's not to like? You have to be able to handle the physical labor and enjoy the work (which I do for both), but other than that it's all good.

Start your own business

>>3
You throw the word genius around too much.  There are people who are good at it and from what I can tell they are in high demand.  Also there is nothing stopping you from learning it outside of a university.  Also you are crazy if you think after 1 year in college you would be worth anything to any company (when you have no intentions of caring or sticking around). 

>>5
Also, you can't outsource electricians like you can do with programmers.

>>6
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2007/tc20070424_967747.htm

GB2 /construction/ and complain about mexicans

>>7
same poster

"The percentage of college freshmen planning to major in computer science dropped 70% between 2000 and 2005"

>>7,8
That's good to know, but my point still stands. Electricians are required to be at the premises to do their job of dealing with the hardware. It is possible to work as a programmer without ever visiting the place where the program is to be used.

>>5

First of all, they have no idea initially that I won't be sticking around (since I'm still in college for the moment and plan on signing up full-time)

secondly, from my understanding, companies hire people out of high school all the time. All i'm looking for is a simple entry-level position, i'd like to do sys admin work since it would allow me to deal less with programming applications and more with fixing stuff.

Also, I'm mostly leaving Computer Science because I don't like the work. As in, I don't like the idea of sitting in front of a computer all day for the next 10 years at least, maybe next 30. Plus, like it or not, there are a lot of problems with the IT industry these days, between competition from India who are dumping a ton of money into tech schools, crappy PHB's, high turn-over rates, flooded job market, and overall lack of the actual "good" jobs.

Case in point being, if you love the work and are good at it you should be fine and can pull through tough times, but if you are just "o.k." at it and don't really care either way about it, then it will turn out terrible for you. I went into it because I didn't know wtf I wanted to do and have been great at using computers and programming, but I found later it just wasn't what I wanted to do.

Again, my question still stands: what can i do with my "gap year" as it were? I'd figure my 1 year of college and 3.1 GPA would allow me to get a decent entry-level job SOMEWHERE, I'm just wondering what to do and how to go about doing it...

oh, also, one of the other problems with Computer Science is that at many places they don't want to pay the actually *good* people what they're worth, which also creates problems. It's a very young field, and again, employment rates are probably up specifically because so many people are getting the fuck out of the industry and not majoring in comp sci anymore, not because there is some magical lack of outsourcing.

Do I really need to explain the concerns with the industry and job security in such a place as /prog/? You guys should know all of this already...

>>11

Dude I'm sure you are really smart and able that is why you are asking /prog/ to find you a job in the IT field when you have 1 year of classes and a 3.0 average.

and nothing of value was lost...

if you don't love programming enough to stick with your course then you shouldn't be doing it. work at a supermarket instead, or as a builders laborer.

>>13
Some people just get tired of having to deal with all the pointless work.  A fine example is at universities that just teach Java and/or only prepare students to become software engineers instead of teaching actual computer science.

>>14

I don't think any university just teaches java.  I think that they base a lot of undergrad shit on Java which is fucking retarded.

>>1
Plumbing, bitch, do it.

For now, work at White Castle so you don't have to worry about niggers.

You also have to consider the fact that electricity CAN KILL YOU. Parenthesi are harmless little critters, they would never hurt anyone.

Enjoy your electrons.

moot just put up a notice that he's looking for programmers. see any of the imageboards.

>>18
It's résumé, not resumé.

go travelling

>>17
Cudders, on the other hand, are most lethal.  Many a great computer scientist has ended his days with a cudder shoved down his throat.

Electricity isn't all that though, with the proper precautions you'll never get seriously hurt.  Real electricians use their bare hands to check if wires carry any current.

>>21
How the fuck does a cudder look like?

>>22
Sort of like a curved dildo.

UPDATE:

my dad (senior electrical engineer) got me a technician job for the year off I have, building circuit boards, testing parts, and what not. Possibly some light coding.

looks like it'll all work out :D

>>24
Fucking get your dad to get me a job too. I'm fucking pro at surfing the cudders.

>>24
Would it be possible for your dad to get me a job as well? Just give me an email address and I can send in my certificate vitae.

>>24
I'm also in need of a job, just saying. Any help from your dad would be appreciated.

My Dad owns a dealership

>>28
What kind of dealership?

>>25
>>26
>>27

My previous statement on how shitty an industry computer science and IT are has been vindicated.

Point proven, /thread

>>30
SPAWHBTC

>>29
A crack dealership.

>>31
i have no idea what that means

>>33
SPAWHBTC

>>33
I have no idea what that means.

I invented the beet toll meme by mistyping

I invented memes.

>>37
I invented invention, and recursion.

>>38
I invented the brain.

>>39
I.

>>40
I invented I.

I Palindrome I

Talisman O'Nam

Step 1: Find a job with a sexy bitch for a hiring manager
Step 2: Sex up that bitch
Step 3: Get the job
Step 4: Keep sexing up that bitch.

>>44
I lofuckingl'd.

The United States The.