Getting A Tech Job During High School?

EricHeinz asks: "Over the past few years I've been hearing about how successful everyone in the booming technology industry is. I even hear about many people getting jobs right out of or during high school. I'm fairly skilled in the ways of both Web design and programming, and I know that many companies are looking for techies. So before going job hunting for the summer, I wanted to know if anybody at Slashdot had experience working for companies during their younger years, and how they dealt with companies with difficulties hiring younger employees?"

Comments

It really helps...

[Antler Dot]

...if you make sure your antlers are devoid of velvet before you go in and interview.

3=) 3=) 3=).

uh huh.

[crovax]

Well I just graduated High School myself and I have had a job at an ISP for the past 6 months as part of the tech support team.
A few pieces of advice for getting a job:
1. First say you are looking for "entry level employment". They love that. Makes a good impresion.
2. Let your available hours be a flexable as possable.
3. Say you are everything you are. If you like Linux say so. If you know a little of a programming language then say you know the language. Sell your self.
It worked for me.
Don't you think you are a litle late to be looking for a summmer job(like 3 months late)?
Good Luck.

-----
If my facts are wrong then tell me. I don't mind.

Re:uh huh.

[grammar nazi]

You could get a job as a grammar nazi on an internet news-and-commentary website. It's really easy to do. I'll show you how.

First reply to a post such as the parent of this one.

Second, find all spelling errors and point them out like this:
impression, not impresion
flexible, not flexable
possible, not possible
Leave a few extra spelling mistakes, so that others can point them out and feel better about themselves.

Next, fix a non-spelling related error such as 'Sell yourself, not 'Sell your self'.

Finally, go back and change your post to include a few grammatical errors. This will make your post more funny and allow sharp cats such as jonnythan to feel good by pointing out your mistakes.

That's all it takes to be a successful grammar nazi. Remember, it may not be a high-paying job, but you are doing a community service.

Re:uh huh.

[jonnythan]

toucheé ;)

Re:uh huh.

[grammar nazi]

check your email

Re:uh huh.

[nsane]

You forgot a capital and a - and a period.

You mean "Check yor e-mail."

:)

Re:uh huh.

[Spelling_Nazi]

Yes. I do believe that email(sic) is spelled wrong.
You really DO have to tidy up that spelling.
I'll give you a freebie this time...

Re:uh huh.

[grammar nazi]

Ugh oh.

Aren't we all comrads?

My experience

[penguinboy]

I've had my current job for a year (since I finished 8th grade). It's not as high tech as I'd like, but I don't know of any real high-tech companies in the area who whould hire a 15-year old. Last year, I was looking for just about any sort of job, my choices came down to working in a grocery store or in an office doing data entry. When I told the owner of the company (it's a small company, not even 10 employees) that I knew how to design web pages, I was hired to set the company up with an internet presence. I don't write HTML and code Perl CGI scripts all the time, but I have set up a Linux firewall for the DSL line. Much of the time I just have to type faxes/emails and enter orders, but it beats stocking shelves.

Anyway, to give a long ramble a point, mention everything you know how to do - it can't hurt to let the prospective employer know everything you can do. Also, don't be surprised if you have to settle for something less than what you really want to do. I'd love to be writing Perl all day, but I doubt there's anyone out there willing to hire a highschool freshman for that.

Re:My experience

[keil]

I have worked at high-tech companies (silicon valley startups) since I was 14 (legal age to work). I'm not going to tell you about myself but it is partly because I know a friggin lot of stuff. It's not about what you know though, it's about who you know. To work that young you need a flexible job so you need to find some connections to people who can hire you for odd hours. At 15 you need your mother to drive you to work probably. Emphasize that you want to learn even if you are the only one who has any idea how to set up a firewall. McDonald's pays people our age minimum wage so don't expect much more than that. When you know more people, have more experience and have references, then you can move on. Also as it has been noted throughout, if you do work for your school you can point out that you have experience oustide hacking around on the web. Or even better would be to deny you did work for the school and start with odd jobs for people you know. Fix computers, set up little networks, etc.

That's the trouble

[periscope]

Hi,
This is the trouble isn' it? Getting jobs whilst at school.

I myself am 18 now and I've just left secondary school (our "High School") but I've also been doing a computing degree for the last 5 years. I am quite versed in many areas of computing including GNU/Linux and the whole concept of Free Software, Security and web stuff - I also write for several magazines.

I have now got a decent summer job via some contacts. I'd suggest that it's more about contacts at your age because you're still at school and people don't like to hire "school boys" but they will hire "John Doe from XYZ LUG who know's what he's doing".

For anyone that is interested, Easy Penguin will be an internet venture of mine to offer Linux Support and Community Services, amoungst other things, and I _will_ be hiring based on ability and not on age or any other characteristic.

--
Jon.

Re:That's the trouble

[TheAnalogKidd]

"I have now got a decent summer job via some contacts."

I agree, THIS is what really matters; not so much age or experience...in high school, you need some one to "get you in." All it takes is one. Just go to someone who you think might need some help with something on their home computer, and if you do it, they'll tell 2 friends, and then they'll tell their 2 friends, and so on, and so on, and so on...

Anyway, my story is one day I was over at my friend's house. Her dad didn't really know his way around windows... He wanted to get rid of AIM, because his daughter put it on the computer and he didn't like it. I just removed it real quick and he thought I was a genius or something??... I came over a few more times and gave him a few basic tutorials and presto! He mentioned me to some of his friends, who, like him, didn't know where to start. Now I work in his office helping him and his friends out on their home and work computers...

I'll admit it... I'm not a guru at anything in any way, but I do have an interest in computers, and if you can find that hook-up, that's all it takes...

Oh, and the pay's not bad...not bad at all :)

Crappy job

[nowindowz]

I run a small computer shop, When I hire first off the bat You must had to have at least one Shitty job. This job is my second before that I bagged grocies for a summer (And I live in Texas). If you can show that you can hold and be promoted in a job that you hate, It show show that you do very good in a job you like. I know it sucks but you have to show you are relible first. Hope this helps

Re:Crappy job

[Server_X]

What are grocies? How do you bag 'em? Is that like an inside joke to Texans?

Im in this situation

[Tairan]

I have been working for (read:volunteer) my high school for the last 4 years, and about a year ago, I got a job with a computer company. I am mostly happy with it, except I do not get paid very well. Now that I have more 'real world' experience, I am writing a better resume and applying at a few other companies. As a quick job after highschool, take something you can get, because since you (probably) never had a real (ie full time) job before, most companies will not even hire you. Get one that will, stick around for a while, and move on when you think you are ready. I've been lucky with my current employer, but based upon the pay, (and on their taking all my favorite things away - web servers and email servers) I am turning into glorified text support. I live in Silicon valley.. time to move on! Best of luck, and keep your grades up!

Heh

[LWolenczak]

I asked this question once, it never got posted.

*shrug*

Anyway, I'm 17, Still in High School, And working as a Network Administrator for a company with 250 to 300 employees. I must note that I don't get paid enouf, I only get 7.25 a hour. Anyway.....

How I got my job, was I made friends with the System's Administrator and he wanted to try out Linux as a fireserver. So we did so, well, we were there at the offices late at night, having pizza and goofing off with a linux box (that did have NT server on it <GRIN> and the head of the company noticed me, and gave me a job.

Well, a few months down the road, working part time, my bud the Systems Administrator quit.

Now this spring, I started working for the company agien, and was branded the "Network Administrator"

Hey, Atleast i get to build linux firewalls and have linux around in the Corperate NT world.

They are still looking for a Systems Administrator in the good old Winston-Salem, NC Area.

If any teens want a "Systems Administration" job, feel free to email me.

Oh, btw, if you say your a Web Designer, you become the lowest pondscum on earth in their minds.

<wonders if there is anything else he is forgetting>

nah

Working

[Kev Vance]

I did a contract for a couple weeks with my school's district office for web stuff. That was okay, but it didn't pay much. The web design teacher liked my stuff in her class and reccomended me. Try hanging around tech inclined staff at school, maybe they can find you something.

There's always the time-honoured tradition of working with your father. My dad got me a job at the corporation where he works (and I had a resume already because of the school job) where I did general perl hacking and linux stuff for the rest of the summer. I'm doing that again this summer, too. This may not be a viable solution for everyone, of course.

Working for a High School

[KiboMaster]

I've spent the last 4 years working for my high school I graduated in 99, but I plan on spending my summers continuing to work here. While I was up at college I helped maintain the district's web page.

Currently our school district has the most advanced systems in all of Michigan. We have 8 Novell 5 servers and 2 NT. There are over 700 Compaq workstations in the high school alone. (pent III 500's running NT 4.0) We've got a lab of SGI Indy's. (running IRIX) I've even managed to convince the school board to start a networking lab running Linux :) which I'm currently working on setting up right now.

The pay isn't the best, but the work I do is great resume material. When I put on my resume I have 4 years of computer repair and networking experince and the fact that I helped build the district's WAN from the ground up... I'm pretty sure I can walk onto almost any job.

You may want to contact your local school district and see what kind of technology they have and what kind of support they need.

Good luck in your future.

Working *FOR* the school

[Vrallis]

Many school districts have public funds set aside for work programs for students. During my senior year, the school hired me (2 hours, 2 class periods out of the day) doing computer repair work. During the summer, I was hired for a full 40 hours/week running our computer lab. Due to the nature of the work, I was making about $6 an hour, while everyone else under the program (usually people on the verge of dropping out, who spent their time picking up trash and such) made minimum wage. I even remember being told to make certain I never told anyone else in the program what I was making to avoid retaliation by them =P.

It was good work, good experience, was usable on my resume, and better yet helped me get more financially prepared for college.

As for work OUTSIDE the school districts, if you are part of a dual credit/AP course that is officially though a local university, you might try seeing if they can provide you with any part time work.

I just got a tech job today!

[harlan]

I'm 18. Just graduated high school this week.

I'm working at a dot com doing php/oracle stuff.

If you know what you're doing, someone will pick you up, just send your resume to EVERYONE. Even if the job description doesn't exactly fit you, send it anyway. The advertizement for the job I'm working at now wanted a master's degree in CS. Not that that isn't a great thing to have, but many jobs dont require it, just that's a great way for companies to filter out people because a CS degree pretty good indication that you know what you're doing.

I didn't realize how golden anyone with UNIX knowledge is.

Jobs

[digitalmind]

I don't want a job bagging groceries or serving fast food. Any jobs in western minnesota for a webmaster? Will work for cheap. Look at my work on my dot sig.



Kris
botboy60@hotmail.com
Nerdnetwork.net

Some people are stupid.

[digitalmind]

Yes boys and girls, some people are stupid.

I'm thinking about getting a job at my dads work because the tech support guy (craig) is not only incompetent but never works on what he is supposed to. One day when he was supposed to be fixing the server he went out to try and poison the birds that eat out of the birdfeeder in front of this business. So not only is he an incompetent, off topic person but a jackass too.

The other day dad comes home and says to me "kris, our mail server has the such-and-such virus. Craig has all the latest virus programs on his computer and not only can't detect it but refuses to fix it. Can you tell craig how to since he's a dumass?"

To which I reply, yes dad I'll look into it.

Dad regularily compliments me on how much smarter I am than craig. I'm 15. He's 30 something.

I swear I could get a job at my dads work as a computer consultant but alas craig is the CEO's son. I could still get a job fixing everything craig is too stupid to and get tips from all the people who's productivity is increased.

What really pisses me off is that I can't drive. Otherwise I could get a job with a local computer co like all systems go (i've gotten job offers) or geeksquad. Bummer.



Kris
botboy60@hotmail.com
Nerdnetwork.net

What about us college geeks?

[[Dilbert]]

I go to CWRU. I am currently switching out of the Comp. Sci. program there because I feel it is a horrible disgrace to the school - DO NOT GO TO CWRU.Edu FOR COMP. SCI. (Ok for Comp. E, but not CS...)

Anyway.

What i really want to do with my life is networks. I've got the ThinkGeek "Will Work For Bandwidth" shirt and i really mean it. How in HELL does one begin to get experience in this field, since schools don't offer anything of the sort... I was offered two different positions with two places... one an ISP, one a "network rollout house" (install NT servers/Netware servers, build machines, etc). The ISP was gonna give me $15/hr, i think my main job was going to be setting up a 4 machine 1U rackmount cluster on turbolinux to run their DNS server and RADIUS DB.... in any case, they interviewed me, said they wanted me, and then due to some administrative stupidities, couldn't hire me (if you want the full story, email me).

what am i doing wrong here?

is there something i'm missing out on, or does Cleveland simply lack openings for budding geeks?

potential employers: my resume is available in PDF on the web.

Re:What about us college geeks?

[shrewmy]

I dunno bout where you're from, but up here in NY VoTec has a program I believe that's sponsored by Cisco. I know it's affiliated with Cisco somehow. But anyways, VoTec isn't really the greatest place to learn, but it beats going to highschool and taking cooking and childcare and like 2 or 3 art classes so I have enough credits and can graduate next year. Anyways, when we went up for some interview for it, the guy was talking to me, telling me how you learn everything over the 'net pretty much (showed us teh webpages with the cirriculum too, things had Cisco's name all over th em... wish I could remember the URL) And anyways as I get sidetracked again :) they teach you what you need to know to get certified, towards the end of the year they get you an internship doing network admin stuff, then you have an option of taking the Cisco Certification test. Then they help you find a job.

No Success

[unborracho]

I am going to be a junior in high school, turning 17 in august, and have applied to numerous companies, and alas, with no success whatsoever.

Some of the companies i have applied to included General Electric, NuEdge Systems where they wanted me to overhaul their web page, and i was really really close to getting the job, but the same excuse seems to come up alot.

"I'm sorry, but we're not ready to start this project yet"

And i've heard this excuse from at least 3 companies. Another example includes a company called Exacta Corp., where they saw my resume on monster.com and they were very interested, but again, the excuse came...

"I'm sorry, but we still haven't opened up our internship program yet. We will give you a call in a few months."

Well, its been 4 months, and not a single phone call.

Another company that i was applying to, ironically the company my father worked for, Compuware, but that didn't work out due to some messed up reasons.

Well that's enough out of me. Just giving you some feedback on what my experience with job searching has been as a soon to be junior in High School

--Unborracho

Working for the school

[CrayDrygu]

Like a few other people have pointed out, don't be afriad to work for the school.

I spent a lot of time doing volunteer work for the school -- everything from cleaning out the servers (not files on the drives, dust in the cases) to helping teach senior citizens how to surf the web.

So when a job opened up at Town Hall, well...it would have taken some major effort on my part to not get hired. Fresh out of high school, and I'm the Technology Coordinator for Town Hall. Full-time job, salary-based, decent benefits. It's a government job, so the pay could be better (probably be making at least half again what I make now if this were a corporate setting), but I'm not about to complain.

So again, don't rule out working for the school (or in my case, town). If they know what you're capable of, you've got a pretty good shot.

--