Computer Science grad opportunities in SA?

[Maddmatt]

I'm in New Zealand, just graduated with a BSc Computer Science. Job market here is proving quite difficult and visa issues are making that worse.

If I go back to SA I'd like to stay in Durban because that's where family and friends are. I could be tempted by a good job in Cape Town but I'm not keen on anywhere else, especially not Joburg.

I have very little work experience. Grades are decent. Can do C++, Java, multi-threaded code, object-oriented programming. Did a little part-time work for a game developer once.

So I'm wondering what my chances of landing a decent job in SA are if I come back. What do you think it's going to be like for me, an inexperienced graduate? Anyone with some insight?

 

[JStrike]

There are a tonne of opportunities for a CS grad in Cape Town. We are struggling to hire enough

 

[tsume]

I'm in New Zealand, just graduated with a BSc Computer Science. Job market here is proving quite difficult and visa issues are making that worse.

If I go back to SA I'd like to stay in Durban because that's where family and friends are. I could be tempted by a good job in Cape Town but I'm not keen on anywhere else, especially not Joburg.

I have very little work experience. Grades are decent. Can do C++, Java, multi-threaded code, object-oriented programming. Did a little part-time work for a game developer once.

So I'm wondering what my chances of landing a decent job in SA are if I come back. What do you think it's going to be like for me, an inexperienced graduate? Anyone with some insight?

Many opportunities in Cape Town, Amazon is based there. One of the things they are involved with is the development of EC2. Think I still have details some where, if you want them I can look around fir them.

 

[JStrike]

Many opportunities in Cape Town, Amazon is based there. One of the things they are involved with is the development of EC2. Think I still have details some where, if you want them I can look around fir them.

He doesn't have much experience. There is absolutely zero chance of him getting a job at Amazon. The interview process is brutal.
But there are a boatload of other companies trying to hire Devs

 

[Maddmatt]

What about Durban? I do know of at least one company there I'd try applying at.

I'm not giving up on New Zealand yet. It's mainly my damn police clearance that's going to hold things up and keep me from working for maybe 2 months depending on how long they take in Pretoria (booked to get fingerprints taken at local police station today, soonest booking is July 30th, then I need to send them to Pretoria... why I'm taking fingerprints again when they should have them on record from the last police clearance, I don't know, don't even know if it's really necessary)
Of course that means I miss all the graduate opportunities popping up now.
Largely my fault though, should have realised I needed it sooner.

Immigration is hard

Trying to decide whether to stick it out here, trying to find work until I have a visa that actually allows me a full time job, or going back to SA where it sounds like my chances are better.

 

[Ecco]

Try for NZ dude, you there already, waiting it out a few months is better then packing up and relocating back to SA. Maybe take any other temp jobs if you can find, to keep you going.

If you do have to come back to SA - i would try go to the place with the most opportunities - i.e. JHB, then CT, and lastly Durban. All about demand, and the biggest demand is JHB followed by CT.

PS - Derivco is based in Durbs, they do online gaming development - check it out since seeing Durbs is your no.1 choice.

 

[Maddmatt]

Try for NZ dude, you there already, waiting it out a few months is better then packing up and relocating back to SA. Maybe take any other temp jobs if you can find, to keep you going.

Yea I will. I guess the stress has just made my mind go all over the place. I'm just pissed at myself because if I only knew months ago that I needed this police clearance, and that it would take so long to get, things would be so much easier.

Problem is even temp jobs will be impossible when my student visa expires at the end of the month and I'm stuck on an interim visa. Unless someone is willing to pay me cash, but that's unlikely because business doing that can get in trouble.

I've got Derivco and Thoroughtec on my mind so far.

Even if I do go back to SA, I'll apply for residence (I meet the requirements now) and save up to come back. Or maybe I'll score a job in another country if I'm lucky.

 

[I.am.Sam]

There are a tonne of opportunities for a CS grad in Cape Town. We are struggling to hire enough

Many opportunities in Cape Town, Amazon is based there. One of the things they are involved with is the development of EC2. Think I still have details some where, if you want them I can look around fir them.

send me more details please

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

There are a tonne of opportunities for a CS grad in Cape Town. We are struggling to hire enough

This is so true. OP I would suggest hanging around NZ before you make the call to come back, if it becomes to expensive then just come back home, I dont know how the market in DBN is but the one in CT is insanely under-saturated.