Help me find good IT-based summer work?

May 13, 2006 11:43 AM

Interesting summer work for a technology/IT enthusiast soon to be graduate

I'm graduating this Summer and am looking to fill the time between hopefully taking up a Masters course with some interesting, rewarding and useful 'Summer work'. Previously I've done some freelance web design, worked for a couple of large firms doing standard office temping. I live in the UK. I don't *think* Summer of Code's an option due to lack of coding experience, but I'd love to be proved wrong. Something that will stand me in good sted for a future IT career would be great. Any suggestions?

posted by dance to Work & Money (4 answers total)

I would suggest trying to get an intern position at a high tech company, but you're starting a bit late for that. Usually people start looking for that kind of thing about Spring Break.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:05 PM on May 13, 2006

If you're looking to get into web design and are willing to do unpaid work, I would recommend finding as many pro-bono web design jobs as you can for local business, anyone you know, etc. Look at what skills employers are looking for in job ads, and practice on those you lack.

If you're not looking to get into web design, or are not willing to do unpaid work, you should ask a more specific question. But in general, write the resume you would want to submit for the jobs you want, and then spend your summer improving your skills and experience so that your ideal resume actually describes you.
posted by scottreynen at 12:31 PM on May 13, 2006

If you aren't necessarily looking for money, you could probably find some charities that need web design or computer assistance of some sort. You could do a small project of your own, perhaps that would work toward your masters, if indirectly. Or combine the two, and create a project for a charity or local organisation of some sort, presumably that fills some kind of organisational/communication need. If you want paid interesting, rewarding and useful work, please let me know where you find it. If you are looking for different kinds of work, or want ideas relating to your masters, more info would be handy.
posted by MetaMonkey at 4:01 PM on May 13, 2006

If you want to go into software development, you ought to build your resume at the cost of no salary or crappy jobs. In the software dev world most employers are looking for proven experience, or at least want to see something you've built that they can look at themselves. Screenshots and use cases will suffice if it's not available online. It's best that you have examples of something similar to the jobs you want to apply for. Until you break that barrier you will be just another green graduate (in the eyes of hiring managers).

If you want to go into general IT where you set up networks and troubleshoot PCs, then this probably won't apply as much. In this case I'd try to get hitched with any company that has a recognizable name, since that will stand out the most on a resume.
posted by Operation Afterglow at 6:42 PM on May 13, 2006