Entry level IT/computer jobs for new immigrants?

[Imua 0]

Originally posted in S. Asia forum, reposted here b/c no reply...

My husband is currently taking computer classes at an institute in Kathmandu and honestly I wonder if it will do him any good once he comes to America. He has no degree, only SLC(high school diploma). He is starting a networking class and I asked him if it offers Cisco Systems ceritifcation and he said No... I wonder if he is wasting his time and money by taking these classes or if there are entry level jobs that someone can get if they have basic computer knowledge but not top level certification. I thought that his instructor had offered him a job but I just recently found out that basically it is an unpaid internship so his boss is getting free labor from him.... He says 'maybe' after three months he will get a salary... AFAIK he is repairing computers but his specific skills I do not know. I recently had a cable modem installed and the guy was from Bangladesh. I asked him what his training was and he said he had to take a 2-year course - in America. I hope my husband's skills will not be wasted when he gets here and is only able to find a job in a bodega(corner store) or stocking shelves for minimum wage like other Nepalis here.... If he cannot find other work then he might as well not continue with the classes - in time if he cannot find relevant work they will tell him his skills are outdated I am sure....

In case you can't tell I am a little frustrated... I looked on Monster at help desk type jobs and they all require a college degree or certification, or experience... where can he begin??

[Mononoke28 135]

Yes, most computer jobs here in the States require a degree or experience equivalent to it which can be about 5 years or so. This is my own personal opinion and others may agree, or disagree and it's that I think your husband will have to start from scratch once he gets to the States. That's regarding both, professionally and school wise. I think it will be very difficult for him to find employment in the tech field if he doesn't have either a degree or enough experience to be hired.

I recommend you call an employment agency that specializes in this industry such as Teksystems and Tekmark Global Solutions which work nationwide. They should be able to let you know what he needs to do once he gets here.

My husband for example has 2 degrees in Computer Science and IT and he's right now working as a stocker in the mornings while he's learning English. You gotta do what you gotta do to get started.

Diana

[Imua 0]

*sigh* just as I thought - so basically he is wasting his time and money...

[Dan J 277]

Cisco certification can be useful. He could probably self-teach most of the content that is on the tests, but it would be hard to get a job without actual experience on the hardware. Not sure where he could get access to that, since most of it is kind of expensive. If I recall, there are 3 levels of certification. The first two you can do at a testing center. The last one requires you to do stuff in person in a lab somewhere in California.

He might be able to find a job doing low level helpdesk type stuff, or maybe installs for the cable company. It doesn't pay well, but it would be a place to start. If he can get some higher level skills, then he could really find a good job. I would suggest looking into cisco certification, especially the higher level. Learning to configure and maintain Linux or freeBSD servers. Windows is fine too, but windows guys usually get paid less. Learning PERL. Learning to configure and maintain common services, like web servers and database servers. Be able to design and develop backup strategies.

He doesn't have to go to school for most of this stuff, if he can teach himself from other resources. But a school may provide access to some equipment, that would otherwise be difficult to acquire.

[KarenCee 3]

He doesn't have to go to school for most of this stuff, if he can teach himself from other resources. But a school may provide access to some equipment, that would otherwise be difficult to acquire.

Maybe not, but I can sure tell you that here where we live, most jobs REQUIRE accredited secondary education in the IT field to even GET an interview. If one is lucky enough to prove him or herself capable of doing most of this stuff without having that education behind you...then great. But where do you suggest that one look...where would one find a prospective employer who would say "ok show me what you can do?"

Pattu Rani - my husband came here from Canada...with his two year degree in Network Admin/Computer Technology. It has done him NO GOOD. The only constructive piece of advice we've gotten on this issue is for him to get some updated education here in the States. Now keep in mind this is just what we've experienced and in no way should be taken as a blanket statement of every situation. I would encourage him, if it were me, to keep up with his studies and learn as much as he can...you never know what can happen. At least he would have documentation that he's been educated.

Just my humble opinion....as always.

[aidan80 9]

My own personal advice is, get him to go through and pass at the very least his CompTIA A+ over here in the US. Get as much experience as possible even if that means working for something like geek squad to start off with.

I came over here with nothing great but I had 5 years experience back home, a few years classroom time before that and a number of certifications. That didn’t mean really anything to most US employers; they didn’t understand nor want to spend the time understanding.

Good Luck.

[Dan J 277]

My own personal advice is, get him to go through and pass at the very least his CompTIA A+ over here in the US. Get as much experience as possible even if that means working for something like geek squad to start off with.

I came over here with nothing great but I had 5 years experience back home, a few years classroom time before that and a number of certifications. That didn’t mean really anything to most US employers; they didn’t understand nor want to spend the time understanding.

Good Luck.

Only certain certification programs are really valuable. The rest tend to be a waste of time.

[moeenzo 0]

Yes, most computer jobs here in the States require a degree or experience equivalent to it which can be about 5 years or so. This is my own personal opinion and others may agree, or disagree and it's that I think your husband will have to start from scratch once he gets to the States. That's regarding both, professionally and school wise. I think it will be very difficult for him to find employment in the tech field if he doesn't have either a degree or enough experience to be hired.

I recommend you call an employment agency that specializes in this industry such as Teksystems and Tekmark Global Solutions which work nationwide. They should be able to let you know what he needs to do once he gets here.

My husband for example has 2 degrees in Computer Science and IT and he's right now working as a stocker in the mornings while he's learning English. You gotta do what you gotta do to get started.

Diana

Hello Diana,

I have a question for you since you sound like a professional HR . how long will it take to get an engineering job here in the US, and what is next after the phone interview?

and one more thing, how to go over the over qualified thing, since every time I apply for an entry level job or general labor I get the answer sorry you are over qualified. please help

thnak you

[Mononoke28 135]

Well, I'm not an expert in HR but I was laid off from my job 2½ years ago and had to go through contracting agencies until I landed the job I'm at now.

I was also in a technical field and know a lot of people who are involved in IT and programming and what I do know is that you have to be persistent. You have to go online and post your resume on Monster, careerbuilder and Dice to name a few. Then you can also start contacting agencies who will get you jobs and will do the initial interview before they send you to the employer. You can also ask them for advice since they prep you so you can be more appealing on paper and in person, after all they only get paid if you get paid. They might also find you a contract to hire position where you will start out on a temporary basis and then get hired on if they like you.

It does take time though, but you have to be patient.

Diana

[aidan80 9]

My own personal advice is, get him to go through and pass at the very least his CompTIA A+ over here in the US. Get as much experience as possible even if that means working for something like geek squad to start off with.

I came over here with nothing great but I had 5 years experience back home, a few years classroom time before that and a number of certifications. That didn’t mean really anything to most US employers; they didn’t understand nor want to spend the time understanding.

Good Luck.

Only certain certification programs are really valuable. The rest tend to be a waste of time.

Agreed but working experience also strengthens and backs up the certification!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm no programmer, I can barely turn my computer on,lol BUT going to school and taking classes can be beneficial. can get him back into the "school mode" Get him back into the books and he may learn something that will help if he goes to school here in the USA!!

[PlatyPius 5]

Yes, most computer jobs here in the States require a degree or experience equivalent to it which can be about 5 years or so. This is my own personal opinion and others may agree, or disagree and it's that I think your husband will have to start from scratch once he gets to the States. That's regarding both, professionally and school wise. I think it will be very difficult for him to find employment in the tech field if he doesn't have either a degree or enough experience to be hired.

I recommend you call an employment agency that specializes in this industry such as Teksystems and Tekmark Global Solutions which work nationwide. They should be able to let you know what he needs to do once he gets here.

My husband for example has 2 degrees in Computer Science and IT and he's right now working as a stocker in the mornings while he's learning English. You gotta do what you gotta do to get started.

Diana

Hello Diana,

I have a question for you since you sound like a professional HR . how long will it take to get an engineering job here in the US, and what is next after the phone interview?

and one more thing, how to go over the over qualified thing, since every time I apply for an entry level job or general labor I get the answer sorry you are over qualified. please help

thnak you

I'm not Diana, but....

What field of Engineering? Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, etc? What kind of degree? Bachelor of Applied Science? Masters? I don't know what country you are from, but also be aware that an "Engineer" in the US is not a basic "install/repair" tech. I know it confused the hell out of me when Mags would talk about the "engineer coming over to look at xxxxxxxx".

[Imua 0]

Thanks for all the advice!!!

[jundp 191]

Oh man. Now I'm stressed. P is finishing his Master's in Computer Science now, working on his thesis in sonar signal mapping. I hope he can find a job....He's been working for his university for the past three years so he has some experience. Gah.

Pattu Rani...good luck!

[moeenzo 0]

Yes, most computer jobs here in the States require a degree or experience equivalent to it which can be about 5 years or so. This is my own personal opinion and others may agree, or disagree and it's that I think your husband will have to start from scratch once he gets to the States. That's regarding both, professionally and school wise. I think it will be very difficult for him to find employment in the tech field if he doesn't have either a degree or enough experience to be hired.

I recommend you call an employment agency that specializes in this industry such as Teksystems and Tekmark Global Solutions which work nationwide. They should be able to let you know what he needs to do once he gets here.

My husband for example has 2 degrees in Computer Science and IT and he's right now working as a stocker in the mornings while he's learning English. You gotta do what you gotta do to get started.

Diana

Hello Diana,

I have a question for you since you sound like a professional HR . how long will it take to get an engineering job here in the US, and what is next after the phone interview?

and one more thing, how to go over the over qualified thing, since every time I apply for an entry level job or general labor I get the answer sorry you are over qualified. please help

thnak you

I'm not Diana, but....

What field of Engineering? Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, etc? What kind of degree? Bachelor of Applied Science? Masters? I don't know what country you are from, but also be aware that an "Engineer" in the US is not a basic "install/repair" tech. I know it confused the hell out of me when Mags would talk about the "engineer coming over to look at xxxxxxxx".

Hi Rocinante,

I have a Bachelor in mechanical engineering with a certificate in project management, I have 4 yrs of experience + 1 yr of project management. I worked for a well known company. I'm from EGYPT so we have the British education system. I got some phone interviews but I don't know what is next?!

Oh I didn't get what you ment by " be aware that an "Engineer" in the US is not a basic "install/repair" tech. I know it confused the hell out of me when Mags would talk about the "engineer coming over to look at xxxxxxxx" so could you please explain.

Thank you for the reply and sorry for hijacking the post.