Interesting question posted over at Career Doctor regarding new graduates and IT jobs. While the question itself if too vague to know what “Chuck” is doing to find a job, the answer is spot on, especially for those of you who are hoping to work in IT.

Not only do you need the skills and training that your education will provide, but it is critical to find as much practical experience as you can in your field.

If you are able to show that you have some experience, you will have a leg up on other candidates who don’t have any beyond their education.

At this point the question is “how do I go about getting experience if I can’t find a job?” The posted answer has a list of great ways to gain experience, but the best (in my opinion) is volunteering, especially if it is for a local not-for-profit organization. Many not-for-profit agencies are low on funds and lack the budget for quality IT staff and support. Volunteering not only looks great on your resume, but it also will help you to gain valuable experience which you can leverage into another position. Plus, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Whatever happens, do what you can to get practical experience. It will make a world of difference in your job hunt.

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