IT Internships/Apprenticeships

WalkByFaith46

WalkByFaith46

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
261
Reaction score
36
Location
South Africa
Where can one start off and get a decent opportunity as a Computer Technician, to build yourself up and study in the process? I don't know why but people demand paperwork, when you have it, its still not enough, then its experience, but to gain experience you need to get an opportunity, but that you cannot get due to experience needed, i just need some guidance with this as i'm the only one in my family that's "rebellious" so to say to be in IT haha. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
From personal experience, I did two things to get into this industry.
The first was to get A+ certified. After that I applied for perhaps close to 100 jobs. Even when these jobs required experience I didn't have, I applied any way. Eventually I got a job in IT and after a couple of years I can honestly say, I want out :p .
 
Mjc65 said:
Where can one start off and get a decent opportunity as a Computer Technician, to build yourself up and study in the process? I don't know why but people demand paperwork, when you have it, its still not enough, then its experience, but to gain experience you need to get an opportunity, but that you cannot get due to experience needed, i just need some guidance with this as i'm the only one in my family that's "rebellious" so to say to be in IT haha. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Be willing to work very hard for very little money.
 
Try with the different recruitment agents, especially the ones that specialize in IT.
Unfortunately you'll have to also use the "black hole of CV's" aka PNet, Career24, myBB, etc

All I can say is that job-hunting is extremely tough at the moment, so dont get too disheartened,
if your struggling to find something its not just you its all around at the moment.
 
maxum said:
From personal experience, I did two things to get into this industry.
The first was to get A+ certified. After that I applied for perhaps close to 100 jobs. Even when these jobs required experience I didn't have, I applied any way. Eventually I got a job in IT and after a couple of years I can honestly say, I want out :p .
Click to expand...

yeah i applied for a lot as well and i can do what they require but still they dont choose me ugh why would you want out??
 
bchip said:
Try with the different recruitment agents, especially the ones that specialize in IT.
Unfortunately you'll have to also use the "black hole of CV's" aka PNet, Career24, myBB, etc

All I can say is that job-hunting is extremely tough at the moment, so dont get too disheartened,
if your struggling to find something its not just you its all around at the moment.
Click to expand...

im registered on more than 8 job seeking sites and still nothing i get tons of notifications in the morning but the requirement are way beyond what i have, it feels like im just getting older by the day and that will count against me, it feels so unfair. any recruiters you'd recommend?
 
What certs do you have? Unfortunately, the industry is quite hung up on stuff like that. So even if you have the practical knowledge, good luck getting that interview if you don't have the paper.
 
GhostSixFour said:
What certs do you have? Unfortunately, the industry is quite hung up on stuff like that. So even if you have the practical knowledge, good luck getting that interview if you don't have the paper.
Click to expand...

That and techies seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays so companies can afford to be picky.
 
Are you working currently? If you are totally unemployed and for example living with your parents, approach the company where you really want to work and offer to work for them for free.
 
Here's what I did\Life story :D

Knew that I wanted to be in the I.T industry and specifically server admin related work from a very young age.

Studied A+ and N+ books at the age of 13.
Continued working with computers (Building, selling, fixing) throughout high school.

By the time I matriculated, I had enough experience to start my first job in the industry but obviously no certification.
I then approached a small IT company and asked them if they were looking for someone to help out part time and asked them to give me a chance to prove myself.

The owner of the company gave me a week to prove myself but ended up hiring me 2 days later. (For very little money)

I then was able to start my studies part time and work for the 2nd half of the day.

By the time I finished my studies, I had already gained enough experience and trust from them that they hired me full time and let me take on the smaller clients. (This included some server admin)

Fast forward a few years and I am doing what I always wanted to and according to the stats posted regularly by MyBB, earning more than the average salary for it.

My suggestion to you would be to do the same.
Find that little IT company and ask if you can help out then work you a$$ off and steal as much knowledge as possible!
 
Coasti said:
Are you working currently? If you are totally unemployed and for example living with your parents, approach the company where you really want to work and offer to work for them for free.
Click to expand...

+1 this is great way to get your foot in the door and prove yourself!
 
I want to do something that has a positive impact on the world around me.
If you're in Cape Town, send me your CV.

Most importantly, don't give up on finding something.

Mjc65 said:
yeah i applied for a lot as well and i can do what they require but still they dont choose me ugh why would you want out??
Click to expand...
 
Tons of brilliant responses to your questions. Don't give up, no matter what. It took me 6 months of job hunting (after getting my A+ and N+) before I found something. At my peak, I would send >20 CVs per week! I can relate to what you're saying. If you're currently unemployed, do this: log in to Facebook and tell everyone you know that you: fix computers, do software installations and virus removal (for desktop and laptop). If they ever need help, you charge Rx... (negotiable) for your services. Also let your non-Fb friends and family know. That should keep you busy while recruiters and employers pick other job candidates over you. Then you can add the work you do to your CV...it will count as work experience.
@Maxum. I wanted out after a year. Lol! I did a BSc degree at Unisa (worked during the day, studied at night and weekends, no social life), and left tech support with a huge smile on my face.
 
GhostSixFour said:
What certs do you have? Unfortunately, the industry is quite hung up on stuff like that. So even if you have the practical knowledge, good luck getting that interview if you don't have the paper.
Click to expand...
Currently im saving to get the official certs from CompTIA but i have done quite a few online, i know its not worth much but, if i had the funds i would surely get the right certs, there is no problem in wanting to learn.
 
^^vampire^^ said:
That and techies seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays so companies can afford to be picky.
Click to expand...

yes i do realize that but when i go to interviews, people tell me that they have other guys that come in for interviews that have lots of certs but they didnt even pass matric and they tend to loaf instead of working, so how can they not pick someone who's willing to learn and work over someone with certs but loafs off at work?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X