How on earth do you get a job in IT ?

[Rosaluxemberg]

DD is struggling to get her first job post graduating a few months ago. Studied Computing. Is looking for a very junior role like first line support desk, certainly not a graduate one. Every single advert asks for prior IT experience. Just seen one now which says is suitable for ‘someone who’s completed an apprenticeship or got a bit of experience’.
She sadly doesn’t have any kind of prior work experience despite applying for multiple jobs whilst at uni. She’s decided to do some voluntary work in the meantime but feeling very down. Any advice would be welcome. Are things really that bleak in IT ? She’d actually apply for an apprenticeship if she could but she’s pretty sure that’s not possible.

What did she do in her degree?

Coding, cloud infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity?

She should target jobs like those rather than generic “have you tried turning it off and on again” help desk jobs.

Has she got coding experience? I can find jobs for "graduate software developer", but I am not sure what a computing degree covers.

If she wants to do a graduate programme then there's a company called FDM that can help

I work in IT and would suggest applying for junior/associate programmer/developper roles rather than support. In my organisation, assocaite engineer is the role aimed at graduates as wellas the specific graduate program

We have used FDM (and QA, but they have just exited this market) and I have taken on two good people permanently who came to us as FDMers. I think the model is slightly dodgy, but they do get you your first job and valuable experience if you go where they send you!

ten10 might be worth considering as well if they are close to you.

ten10.com/

Whilst she is looking she may want to expand on her skill set. The OU have free courses which may be worth looking at. If she is a coder than project management/agile etc are worth learning about, as would be some networking (probably covered in the degree). Security is key in everything these days as well. DevOps is a growing field.

OU Free courses
FutureLearn also worth a look for short courses and micro credentials to fill any gaps the degree did not cover.

A front line support job as a first IT job for a quiet person is likely to be very stressful, as by default you are always dealing with unhappy customers or colleagues (because something has gone wrong, they won't hesitate to blame you!). Try for a more junior role, and try public sector/colleges etc.

Hi where approximately is she looking to work? I saw a Yorkshire-based opportunity the other day ticking these boxes.

Although it's 11 years old this Guardian article "How to write a CV without work experience" might be useful.

The Civil Service Fast Stream is about to add a new Cyber Security thing, 'more info coming soon' so keep an eye on their site. The application process for anything to do with the Civil Service seems quite the palaver and every time I share one of their jobs I inwardly seethe at the thought of poor applicants having to navigate it ;) Applications open in October.

The Government has convened an elite panel of AI nerds to do clever things to improve the use of AI across Government (including NHS and public consultations), I don't know if they have any entry-level jobs though. They are the Incubator for AI / Twitter.

Some of what I wrote in response to another thread about jobs in Computing / Computer Science might be of use, please have a look here and there's also a follow-up post from me about teaching computing in schools.

Jo :)

@JoBrodie thanks for that.
@WulyJmpr very close but over the other side of the Pennines. Probs a bit far as DS is only just learning to drive, but thanks !

Before signing up for any of these kind of schemes (Top10, FDM, etc), be absolutely sure what you are agreeing to - you are probably going to have to commit to working for the company for a fixed period (probably 2 years) and you will have to pay a penalty (to cover the training they have given you) if you want to leave before that.

I think they do offer an good in if you are struggling with no experience, but make sure you go into it with your eyes open!

Yes to women in coding/women in IT. Worth looking at IT roles in typically male-dominated industries as there is always a big push to get more women in generally.

LinkedIn is pulling up quite a few entry level Data Analytics jobs. I’d also look at consultancies who need Power BI or GIS skills - she should either have been exposed to these already or be able to pick them up quickly with her prior knowledge.

I work in IT. In the city at least the market is hot right now.
do not be put off entry level jobs asking for experience, they will take a computing degree over that any day! Just apply!
good luck!