Summer Job in IT - is is possible?

[kidzer]

Hi folks, summer holidays are fast approaching up here in Scotland - next week is our last week - and i'm aiming to get a summer job of some sort this year!

Is there any remote chance there will be anything IT related for me to do?

I've heard references to 'Vacation Placements' which sound pretty good if I can find one I like, but then being a placement, I duno if I would get paid.

And also, being 16 - is any IT company likley to trust me at all?

Cheers for any advice,
David

[dave87]

I worked in IT during my A-levels, started when I'd just turned 17 in fact. I don't think age is the problem, its the skills you can offer. Having said that, some smaller local firms may be willing to take you under their wings so to speak and show you the ropes

The best idea is to just canvass the local computer shops & businesses with their own tech depts and see what comes round. Including relevant information on your CV is a must, and can even include aspirations - they are far more likely to give you a placement (paid or not) if it appears you are interested in the subject.

So yes it is possible, though it may be quite difficult to find one

Hope this helps a bit - it is a minefield - I'm just about to start looking for another job as my A-levels are nearly over, though I do have the benefit of 2 years experience in network administration.

Dabe

[chrestomanci]

It depends what you are after.

I have been and IT professional for seven years and five different companies. On a number of occasions we got in a summer student or two (usually the son of a member of staff) for some repetitive legwork that needed doing. I don't think they got paid much but they did get experience in a professional environment.

Also, when I was a student 10 years ago, I spent a summer setting up a website for a small local company. I got paid enough to pay of my student debts, and got some valuable CV experience. I found that job by looking thought the yellow pages, and writing speculative letters to 30 or so likely looking companies.

I would say that it is possible to get an IT summer job, but it will be hard unless you know someone who can give you an opening, and it won't pay any more than you would get at McDonald's.

[chrestomanci]

And also, being 16 - is any IT company likley to trust me at all?

That's really not an issue, If you are programing the all work will probably get checked by other people, and if you are doing anything else, there is not much scope for major screwups that are not obvious at the time. The worst you could do is goof off and spend all day surfing the net, but if you do that you will be out in no time.

If you live in Glasgow, then you should check out Picsel as I have heard from a number of sources that they are recruiting aggressively, and they might be interested in a keen student.

[javalord]

Get asking around, make yourself known. I've landed work from word of mouth many, many times.

[Funkstar]

As others have said, i would just be a little ballsy (easier said than done when i was 16) and get asking companies. Walk into reception neatly dressed but doesn't have to be a suit and ask who you can give a CV to or who to email. Be up front and say you are looking for some work experience and don't really mind being a bit of a gofer, and you are willing to learn anything they thow at you. not litterally of course

[Mike Fishcake]

Our uni employs a fair few college age kids during the summer to do some general work. Before I started here permanently, I worked for a couple of summers doing some general web work. Not massively interesting, but far better than a lot of other temporary options.

Ask at a local uni or something.