Question:

I graduated with a computer science degree three years ago but have no work experience in that field. I've only had part-time, retail jobs. When I graduated, my husband and I decided that I should stay at home for three years until our youngest child started school full-time, which happened this past fall. I have been unable to find a position in my field. Employers tell me that they prefer candidates that graduated more recently because they know java and other such languages or because the other candidates had career-related internships. What should I do?

First Answer:

It would have been helpful if you'd been able to get some work experience in your chosen field, even in an internship or volunteer capacity. Not all is lost. It's easier to get a job with a recommendation from someone who can personally attest to your great qualities. The first thing I'd do is look through your "networking" list (people in the computer area that would include anyone you know working in computers, former professors, former students you met, and so forth) and ask them if they might know of some position in your field which could get you started. While you're job hunting, how about trying to learn some of those other languages and skills the employers want? Take a course, or get a book and start reading. That way, when they ask "can you do this?" you can always say you're learning how, right now! A lot can happen in the rapidly-changing world of computers in just three years, but you still have a pretty recent degree. Perhaps you're applying for jobs a bit above your head where the competition is very stiff. Have you considered a lesser position where you can "learn while you earn?" Once you have your foot in the door and are working (and learning) you will have a much better chance of moving quickly up the career ladder. If you feel demoralized and are afraid you're not making the best personal presentation of yourself at interviews, role play with someone and make sure you feel confident answering all sorts of different questions an employer might put to you. Learning how to deflect "objections" and appear enthusiastic is one way to beat the competition and get what you want. I know I sound like I'm tooting my own horn here, but my new E-book YOU ARE THE PRODUCT-How To Sell Yourself To Employers is a "must-have" for anyone facing stiff competition and who needs to put their best foot forward in a job hunt, and on the job. Good luck!

-- Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column.

Second Answer:

Most important is for you not to get down on yourself for taking the time to get your youngsters settled into full time school. Now you need to get yourself just as comfortably situated on a career path. You may have to go with an offer that includes training so that you can bring your technical skills up-to-date. If that does not work out for you in a reasonable time and you still want to pursue a future in computer sciences, then it may be necessary to update your knowledge so that you have the ability to do the kind of work that you want to do. Another option might be to use the life skills that you gained while raising your family to seek a position where this experience is valued. You have options now that you didn't have as a recent and younger graduate. A wise employer will credit you for your maturity and ability to make tough choices.

-- Debra Feldman, founder of JobWhiz, creator of the JOBWHIZQUIZ, and specialist in cyber savvy strategic job search consultations.

Third Answer:

The IT industry is changing extremely fast ... three years is a long time. You do have a lot of skills and knowledge ... what you should do is upgrade them. Your previous education will help you get up to speed quickly.

Think about taking selected classes in all the newest languages. Review IT job boards and local companies and find out what training they require ... look at what skills are in high demand this will help decide which languages to learn. If you then decide to update your skills, you will know what you need. There are online courses or long distance learning that may be suitable.

I would also look for some type of work that would give current experience ... this may not be a paid position, but an internship, or volunteer position. You can do this by going back to the school you graduated from and checking with their career and placement centre. All colleges offer ongoing help in this area even after you have graduated. In the meanwhile, find something in a related field that will add to your skills and marketability.

At the same time ... start networking with people in the IT industry. Go to your local Chamber of Commerce meetings ... there will be business owners so you can do informational interviews with these individuals; go to career fairs where you will have a opportunity to meet employers. Get some business cards or network cards. Let everyone you know that you are looking for a new career.

-- Candace Davies, Director and Founder of Cando Career Coaching and Resume Writing and All Trades Resume Writing.

Fourth Answer:

If you are finding that your skills are "dated", consider checking out community colleges and universities in your area, to see if any offer courses that you could take to update your skills. Computer science is one of the field where things change rapidly. Read the want ads in the paper. Compare your skills to the skills most often requested. If you do not have the skills asked for, and you want to stay in that field, the only alternative is to get additional training.

Also consider working part-time or through a staffing agency. Often you can update your skills or get some current work experience through a staffing agency that you can use to update your resume. About half of all temporary jobs turn into full time jobs . This would be a great way to gain some current experinece in the field.

-- Linda Wyatt, Career Center Director, Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Fifth Answer:

By inference, I conclude you attended college classes while beginning your family. So the regimen I'm about to suggest is a familiar one to you.

Being a Mom, you are a skillful, tested planner, organizer and focused field general, all skills applicable to the workplace. For the time being locate a position that will permit you to hone and expand these skills (management skills, by the way, for the future-future) ideally in a firm that has the need of your type of computer specialty. Establish yourself, get a reputation of dependability, responsibility, creativity, etc and simultaneously return to classes to develop the knowledge needed to move into your area of specialty, JAVA, UNIX, C++, A++ whatever. You must recognize, because your field moves forward so rapidly and continually, education will be a lifetime process for you.

Watch the job postings at your firm; make a friend(s) in HR dept., talk with the manager of the department you have your job-eye upon, in other words, build a network of associates who can/will keep you in mind when something develops that may be of interest. This process will take some time (you have proven your patience skills). During this period of patience, you will be preparing yourself through continued study to take over the position you desire. Using this plan, you will be building on two fronts, one for the immediate hands-on future as well as preparing yourself for a move into "getting things done through others", management.

Alternatively, look in an allied field such as software, network or system sales that may allow you to continue upgrading your knowledge, develop a network and gain appropriate on-the-job experience. This alternative may take you away from your family for short periods and may not as readily allow you the opportunity to pursue further education because of the potential of business-related travel. Hard choices.

You, as with all Moms' working outside their home, are forced to make compromises. None of the choices are easy and all are personally important. The decisions are like rings in a pool of water after a stone is dropped in, they radiate outward and touch many.

-- Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College.

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