4 answers
armando
Student
Grafton, Ohio
4
Questions
Updated
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How do you gain experience in this field without having the job. I want to be a computer and information systems manager
Im a senior in high school #highschool
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4 answers
Curtis Miller, ITIL® Expert and ServiceNow Professional
Technology Program Manager
3
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Curtis’s Answer
Gaining experience in the Computer and Information Systems Manager field without having a job can be challenging but not impossible. Here are some strategies to help you gain relevant experience:
Personal Projects: Undertake personal projects related to computer and information systems management. For example, you can build and manage a website, develop a small-scale software application, or set up a home network. These projects allow you to apply your knowledge, develop practical skills, and demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
Volunteer Work: Look for volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations, community groups, or educational institutions. Offer your assistance in managing their computer systems, networks, or databases. Volunteering not only provides hands-on experience but also demonstrates your commitment to the field.
Internships: Seek out internships or apprenticeship programs with companies or organizations that have IT departments. Many organizations offer internships to students or recent graduates, providing valuable on-the-job training and exposure to computer and information systems management tasks.
Freelance Work: Consider freelancing or offering your services on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. You can take on small projects or offer consulting services in areas such as IT project management, systems analysis, or network administration. Freelancing allows you to gain experience, build a portfolio, and establish professional connections.
Networking and Mentoring: Connect with professionals working in computer and information systems management through networking events, industry conferences, or online communities. Seek mentorship opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and gain insights into the field. Networking can lead to referrals, recommendations, and potential job opportunities in the future.
Open-Source Contributions: Contribute to open-source projects relevant to computer and information systems management. Participating in open-source communities allows you to collaborate with others, contribute to real-world projects, and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Professional Certifications: Earn industry certifications relevant to computer and information systems management, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM). These certifications validate your expertise and enhance your professional credibility.
Research and Knowledge Sharing: Stay updated with the latest trends, research, and advancements in computer and information systems management. Read industry publications, research papers, and follow thought leaders. Share your knowledge by writing articles, publishing blog posts, or presenting at conferences or local meetups. This demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field.
Remember, gaining experience in computer and information systems management requires a proactive and self-driven approach. Be resourceful, seek out opportunities, and continuously improve your skills and knowledge. As you accumulate relevant experience, highlight your projects, achievements, and skills in your resume, cover letter, and during job interviews to make a compelling case to potential employers.
Personal Projects: Undertake personal projects related to computer and information systems management. For example, you can build and manage a website, develop a small-scale software application, or set up a home network. These projects allow you to apply your knowledge, develop practical skills, and demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
Volunteer Work: Look for volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations, community groups, or educational institutions. Offer your assistance in managing their computer systems, networks, or databases. Volunteering not only provides hands-on experience but also demonstrates your commitment to the field.
Internships: Seek out internships or apprenticeship programs with companies or organizations that have IT departments. Many organizations offer internships to students or recent graduates, providing valuable on-the-job training and exposure to computer and information systems management tasks.
Freelance Work: Consider freelancing or offering your services on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. You can take on small projects or offer consulting services in areas such as IT project management, systems analysis, or network administration. Freelancing allows you to gain experience, build a portfolio, and establish professional connections.
Networking and Mentoring: Connect with professionals working in computer and information systems management through networking events, industry conferences, or online communities. Seek mentorship opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and gain insights into the field. Networking can lead to referrals, recommendations, and potential job opportunities in the future.
Open-Source Contributions: Contribute to open-source projects relevant to computer and information systems management. Participating in open-source communities allows you to collaborate with others, contribute to real-world projects, and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Professional Certifications: Earn industry certifications relevant to computer and information systems management, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM). These certifications validate your expertise and enhance your professional credibility.
Research and Knowledge Sharing: Stay updated with the latest trends, research, and advancements in computer and information systems management. Read industry publications, research papers, and follow thought leaders. Share your knowledge by writing articles, publishing blog posts, or presenting at conferences or local meetups. This demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field.
Remember, gaining experience in computer and information systems management requires a proactive and self-driven approach. Be resourceful, seek out opportunities, and continuously improve your skills and knowledge. As you accumulate relevant experience, highlight your projects, achievements, and skills in your resume, cover letter, and during job interviews to make a compelling case to potential employers.
Patrick O'Donnell
Sales
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Congrats! You are picking a great field to get into.
For high school students: Does your high school offer any internship programs? My daughter's high school helped coordinate an internship her senior year. She started working for a small software company and was fortunate that they provided her the opportunity to take on a number of different roles. And along with the experience she obtained, she was also paid for her time.
For college students: Does your college offer co-op programs or internships? I was in a co-op program when I was in college. Along with providing incredible real world work experience, it also helped me pay for my college education. It is pretty cool how it works. Most co-op program are structured so that study terms are alternated with paid, full-time work terms that are directly related to the co-op student’s program of study. Students often require an additional year of study to complete the co-op work terms and fulfill the academic requirements of their specific program. But with the work experience I had obtained I not only had a better idea of what I wanted to do but also had a huge advantage in job interviews over people that had graduated with no real work experience.
For high school students: Does your high school offer any internship programs? My daughter's high school helped coordinate an internship her senior year. She started working for a small software company and was fortunate that they provided her the opportunity to take on a number of different roles. And along with the experience she obtained, she was also paid for her time.
For college students: Does your college offer co-op programs or internships? I was in a co-op program when I was in college. Along with providing incredible real world work experience, it also helped me pay for my college education. It is pretty cool how it works. Most co-op program are structured so that study terms are alternated with paid, full-time work terms that are directly related to the co-op student’s program of study. Students often require an additional year of study to complete the co-op work terms and fulfill the academic requirements of their specific program. But with the work experience I had obtained I not only had a better idea of what I wanted to do but also had a huge advantage in job interviews over people that had graduated with no real work experience.
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
193
Answers
England, England
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
My ideas would be volunteering and self-study.
When I was at school, I got speaking to some of the teachers and IT staff, and ended up helping strip down and repair some of the older network computers that were otherwise destined for the bin so they could be used in other departments, such as for programming lessons. See if your teachers might be interested in anything like that. Also try any clubs you might be part of; I got involved setting up a flight-sim station for a local club. Anything like this is valuable experience configuring and acting as admin, and will help your CV/resume stand out. I went a different direction with my career in the end, but those early computer management experiences have still been very helpful in what I've done since.
Having a play with whatever kit you have around at home can be great, too. Network management is a great thing to learn by yourself. Maybe you've got an old router in a cupboard somewhere; set up a little second home network with it. Maybe get a cheap hobby computer like a Raspberry Pi; set that up and see what you can build. Maybe your own webserver, maybe a DHCP or DNS server; anything like that that takes your fancy.
Finally, there's many courses and certifications you can take online; do as much of the free ones as you can, and perhaps join an eLearning site like FutureLearn, Brilliant, Coursera, GreatCoursesPlus or something like that.
When I was at school, I got speaking to some of the teachers and IT staff, and ended up helping strip down and repair some of the older network computers that were otherwise destined for the bin so they could be used in other departments, such as for programming lessons. See if your teachers might be interested in anything like that. Also try any clubs you might be part of; I got involved setting up a flight-sim station for a local club. Anything like this is valuable experience configuring and acting as admin, and will help your CV/resume stand out. I went a different direction with my career in the end, but those early computer management experiences have still been very helpful in what I've done since.
Having a play with whatever kit you have around at home can be great, too. Network management is a great thing to learn by yourself. Maybe you've got an old router in a cupboard somewhere; set up a little second home network with it. Maybe get a cheap hobby computer like a Raspberry Pi; set that up and see what you can build. Maybe your own webserver, maybe a DHCP or DNS server; anything like that that takes your fancy.
Finally, there's many courses and certifications you can take online; do as much of the free ones as you can, and perhaps join an eLearning site like FutureLearn, Brilliant, Coursera, GreatCoursesPlus or something like that.
Waleed El-Jack
Full-time Student
12
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Waleed’s Answer
I think the best thing you can do is do freelance work. For example, you can take time to develop an app to show your programming and coding skills. If computer science and information systems classes are not offered at your school, I would suggest doing courses on educational online platforms, such as edX and Coursera.