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Hi all,

I have a MS degree in computer science, but after 2 years and perhaps 1,500
job applications (most of which have been designated "Entry-Level" or
"Junior") and still nothing save an $8/hr job in a factory, I was wondering
if, armed with an MCAD certification, seeking a job as a programmer or
software engineer would become anything more than an exercise in futility.

Santiago de Compostela wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have a MS degree in computer science, but after 2 years and perhaps 1,500
> job applications (most of which have been designated "Entry-Level" or
> "Junior") and still nothing save an $8/hr job in a factory, I was wondering
> if, armed with an MCAD certification, seeking a job as a programmer or
> software engineer would become anything more than an exercise in futility.
>
>
>
1500 job applications and you never got one! ouch. do you have two heads
perhaps?

whilst i am a big fan of MCADs, i dont suspect that it will help you in
your jub huntingi i suspect you may have a bigger problem in terms of
your presentation, past work history or location which is a greater
barrier than an MCAD will solve.




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Santiago de Compostela wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have a MS degree in computer science, but after 2 years and perhaps
> 1,500 job applications (most of which have been designated
> "Entry-Level" or "Junior") and still nothing save an $8/hr job in a
> factory, I was wondering if, armed with an MCAD certification,
> seeking a job as a programmer or software engineer would become
> anything more than an exercise in futility.

The biggest problem with new people in the field is that they often
want a job in their city. If you're willing to relocate, it should help
a lot.

Eric

<Eric> wrote in message news:...
> Santiago de Compostela wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have a MS degree in computer science, but after 2 years and perhaps
> > 1,500 job applications (most of which have been designated
> > "Entry-Level" or "Junior") and still nothing save an $8/hr job in a
> > factory, I was wondering if, armed with an MCAD certification,
> > seeking a job as a programmer or software engineer would become
> > anything more than an exercise in futility.
>
> The biggest problem with new people in the field is that they often
> want a job in their city. If you're willing to relocate, it should help
> a lot.
>
> Eric

Unfortunately it hasn't helped. I've been looking all over the country from
the beginning for two reasons: (1) there are very few IT jobs in my city
(there were supposed to be a few moving into the area several years ago, but
the local politicians' [read: gangsters'] eyes lit up with dollar signs and
tried to pinch said companies; hence they took their business elsewhere);
(2) I'm not native to my region (I only went to school here, now I'm stuck)
and want OUT. I have consistently offered to relocate at my own expense.

A lot of companies qualify their job requirements with "local candidates
only." To those, I send a resume and cover letter sans mailing address just
to **** them off.

Santiago de Compostela wrote:

> A lot of companies qualify their job requirements with "local
> candidates only."

Get a post office box in that city and use that address. Of course, it
has to be close enough so you can drive their to check it twice a week.

Eric

<Eric> wrote in message news:...
> Santiago de Compostela wrote:
>
> > A lot of companies qualify their job requirements with "local
> > candidates only."
>
> Get a post office box in that city and use that address. Of course, it
> has to be close enough so you can drive their to check it twice a week.
>
> Eric

I thank you (and BB and Brad) for your input, even though my outlook is no
less bleak. Getting a post office box is not feasible, since the "local
candidates" qualification applies to many jobs throughout the country.
Perhaps some personal contacts in a few strategic regions could be persuaded
to help.

Since time is at a premium for me (I work about 60hrs/wk and only have maybe
10 hours on a good week to dedicate to learning new technologies), preparing
for and taking an MCAD is not very practical, though there is undoubtedly a
significant overlap with material that I learn on my own. If only some
"accident" at work left me disabled so that I could stay home and develop my
own applications as a hobbyist!

Hello,

Well I believe that a cert will give you the ability to create jobs.

George Esoimeme.

in article u$, Santiago de Compostela at
wrote on 7/12/04 1:35 AM:

> Hi all,
>
> I have a MS degree in computer science, but after 2 years and perhaps 1,500
> job applications (most of which have been designated "Entry-Level" or
> "Junior") and still nothing save an $8/hr job in a factory, I was wondering
> if, armed with an MCAD certification, seeking a job as a programmer or
> software engineer would become anything more than an exercise in futility.
>
>
>