#CareerAdvice #ComputerScience #Catch22 #Internship #JobSearch
Just realized I’m catch 22’d – What do? 🤔
Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a pickle and I could really use some advice. So, I’m working full-time and pursuing a degree in computer science. It seems like these days, having programming skills alone isn’t enough – you need a degree, personal projects, and an internship just to land an interview.
I’ve reached out to recruiters for advice, but it seems like I’m stuck in a catch-22 situation. Quitting my job for an internship isn’t financially feasible for me, and relying solely on personal projects may not be enough to stand out to recruiters.
Here’s where I stand and what I’ve gathered so far:
– Need an internship to get hired
– Can’t quit my full-time job to do an internship
– Personal projects might not be enough without internship experience
– Feeling stuck and frustrated with the current job market
Possible solutions:
– Look for part-time internship opportunities
– Network with professionals in the industry for alternative paths
– Consider online courses or certifications to enhance your skills and make you a more competitive candidate
Do you have any advice or insights on how to navigate this catch-22 situation? Let’s brainstorm and support each other in finding a way forward! 💡 #CareerAdvice #ComputerScience #InternshipStruggles
I feel your pain. Honestly I think the fact that you have work experience with a company will benefit you. it is definitely not worth it to quit your job when it’s giving you that many benefits, ESPECIALLY the tuition
This dilemma seems to be happening in many fields and industries; graphic design was the same way. Honestly, I’d suggest trying to get away from what could theoretically happen (yes, even according to recruiters) and just do personal projects, or see if you can find some smaller, short-term projects to do for a business. See if your current employer has any relevant opportunities too.
The point of an internship is to get experience in the field. If you can get experience in the field without an internship, then it should still count since experience is experience. If you advocate for yourself and explain why this stupid internship system doesn’t work (because it truly doesn’t and don’t let people gaslight you about it), hopefully someone will have the decency to give you a chance. And quite frankly, you *want* to work with people who are sane and reasonable, not those who expect you to do the impossible while throwing away your stability.
My buddy around your age scored a great job programming. He said he thinks what got it was he started a club in school that he ran on programming and he had a couple side projects he had completed on his own time. While living in a frat house and taking full credits partying every weekend. Personal projects and accomplishments got his foot in the door without an internship. Hes got long hair, lots of tattoos, and is also a charming smart guy who was determined so being the perfect candidate isn’t always a necessity. Being willing to move expands your search a lot too.
Save projects that you’re working on and create a bangin portfoilio.
The internship requirement is a red herring. What hiring managers are looking for is _experience_ and there’s different ways of getting experience other than internships.
Give this article a good read. It’s 2 years old, but still applicable, and touches on this: https://blog.pragmaticengineer.com/advice-for-junior-software-engineers/
I don’t see how a paid internship would be financially impossible.
Unless your current job pays extremely well, in which case begs the question, why are you doing the degree?
Internships are a way of creating job security for the wealthy and powerful. In high-interest careers, internships filter out the poor and working class as an artificial barrier to entry.
For your situation, I wish I had advice. I think you will still find a job using your degree, without an internship, it’ll just take a lot longer. It sounds like you have something keeping you afloat as is which is fantastic. It might take you a year or two to find a position but you will find one. Personal projects are a good way of showing that you’ve been building your skills in the meantime.
Is it possible for you to find some kind of crappy side gig? Like maybe you could track down an international client, offer to work for free/virtually for free, and do that instead of an internship? I’m sure there’s a company in Romania or something that would leap at the chance even if American firms are more picky. Or maybe there’s a whacky doomed startup out there you could take on knowing the business will fail but not caring because its just for the resume.
Those many not be realistic suggestions but I just feel for you and I really am rooting for ya!
Honestly, if you’re already in corporate try to tap into your existing company relationship to see if there’s projects you can help with. Or openings in the field you’re trying to pivot into. I’d say you’re ahead in a sense of the ones who don’t have any work experience. That was me- I graduated college without work experience. Took any job I could get- and it took a good 4 years until I landed a career position.
You’re ahead of that in a sense. Keep learning the skills, doing the personal projects, and focus on doing what you can.
I transitioned into dev work a few years ago from nursing. I had to quite my job for an internship. Admittedly I could have gotten it back in a heartbeat but still your doing all the hard right stuff don’t fuck it up right at the end.
As a hiring manager I can’t imagine passing on someone without an internship but was working full time.
We want to see that you will be successful in the workforce. Working FT while going to school is way more impressive than an internship.