Employers require at least one full cycle implementation experience. How can I get this experience without first getting employed? It's the chicken and egg problem! Ethics prevents us from faking the experience.
QUESTION POSED ON: 28 DEC 2005
QUESTION ANSWERED BY: David Foote
Ah, you aren't thinking outside of the egg! Paid employment isn't the only way to get experience: Be a volunteer. Our country is built on volunteerism, and yet it's surprising how few people donate their time and expertise or understand its many benefits. Many do it out of benevolence; others do it to expand their network, gain experience, begin a new career and maybe even score a new job. It's a great way to practice the skills you have or learn new skills. This counts for experience on your resume. Many employers will not care whether you got paid or not in gaining your skills. What counts is that you have the skills and experience. Of course, some will want vertical industry or specific solutions experience on top of tech skills, but that's a different situation.
Where to find volunteer work that will get you full life cycle implementation experience? Advertise yourself. Network aggressively, check local and online job boards for volunteer activities. Inquire with employers and tell them what you have in mind. They may hire you for scant wages or for nothing at all. If you volunteer your services for a not-for-profit organization, they will be grateful and accept you with open arms. Network with your local United Way or Volunteer Center to work with these types of agencies, which I advise because social agency boards of directors are often populated by corporate businesspeople.
The more you network, the more opportunities you will find. You will have probably have your choice of venues -- there are many organizations who need your skills part-time.
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