3 Tips on How to Get a Good IT Job

I've had a few younger friends and co-workers bring their children into work and stop by my office to ask me how I got my job. You see, I'm considered one of the younger folks to be working at Microsoft, so people are always interested in how I came to be here. I'm part of a different generation than the majority of people who work here. A generation that is growing in an industry that is already well-established as opposed to those who simply fell into it when it hit big. These kids that ask me questions are usually in high school and are nearing that point where they need to plan a course of action.

I recently read a post related to this on Microsoft Careers' JobsBlog. A 13-year-old asked how he/she could prepare themselves for a job at Microsoft or Apple. I thought the response was pretty vague and didn't provide a clear avenue for the reader to follow (read it here). So, here is my advice for scoring a good job at a major IT company:

1) Play: I remember using Windows 95 as a kid and doing all sorts of things with it. Downloading WAV files and compiling them together to make full songs, making cartoon shows out of PowerPoint presentations, and mucking about in the Registry. Eventually, in the XP days, I learned how to set up LANs for Counter-Strike and Battlefield 1942 parties. If I couldn't figure out how to do something on my own, I just searched the web on how to accomplish whatever it was and taught myself. I still have to do this from time-to-time when I come across an error that I've never seen before. If possible, have a system that is dedicated to this testing fun. Something that doesn't have important documents or programs on it that you can quickly rebuild if need be. The rebuilding experience is beneficial. As many complex situations I come across, I can't tell you how many times I've simply reinstalled Windows. It's gotta be up in the thousands by now. Computers aren't as expensive as they used to be, so this shouldn't be too difficult.

2) Stay current: Keep up with the latest and greatest technologies out there. You really need to surround yourself with the world of IT. Don't hesitate to read gadget sites like Gizmodo and Engadget, but also don't be afraid to go deeper and read sites that specialize in one type of area in IT. For example, I'm really into network security, so two of my favorite blogs to read are F-Secure and Bruce Schneier. They're always in the know on the latest viruses, hacks, and security trends. If Active Directory tickles your fancy, read the Ask the Directory Services Team blog where real Microsoft employees respond to user questions or issues. There's something for everyone out there. It's just a matter of going out to find it.

3) Obtain experience: Now that you've played around, it's time to get some actual experience under your belt. In my opinion, experience is the most important aspect of landing a good IT job. In the IT world, experience > education. Don't get me wrong, education is a very good thing to have and gaining at least a Bachelor's Degree is ideal before venturing out into the corporate world. It's not completely necessary though. Companies care much more about how much experience one has. 9 out of 10 times, an applicant with four years of experience, but only two years of college will get a job over someone with four years of college and little to no experience. This is exactly what happened to me. Every tech company offers some form of internship that any tech-interested high school or college kid would be a fool to pass up. Don't just sit around your house in the summer. Go find an internship and get some experience. You'll be able to put that time in your resume. Also, I can't tell you how many people I've met at Microsoft who ended up becoming full-time employees right after their internship.

Maybe interning is not an option for you because of whatever reason, e.g. money, no tech companies near you, late to apply/internships all taken. You have other options to get some experience. If you are in college, most universities have instructor assistant postings. Get with your computer science department and find out if you can help out. Another option that I know few like to hear is joining the military. That's what I did and I can tell you that I certainly wouldn't be here today if I hadn't served my country. Not only do you get training that actually counts towards some college credits, but you'll get no less than four years of experience combined with on-the-job training. Free! Well, "free" depends on how you look at it, but for reals... this is a good option. Practically all of my fellow airmen who I worked with and separated from the military have had success in landing good IT jobs. Boeing, Vodafone, and LG are just a few examples of where some of my old friends work.

Once again, not denouncing the importance of an education. Degrees are quite necessary when you want to start climbing the management chain. I have been telling kids who ask about my job that the perfect path would be to attend a university for four years while at the same time interning at an IT company or working in the school's IT's department. That way, you can come out of school with your 4-year degree, plus four years of experience.

So, there are a few options to gain experience and you can never start too early. If you have any questions or additional tips, feel free to comment below.