[storer]

Hey Guys,

Thought the MacNNers would be the best to ask. I have been asked to fill a spot at a careers expo Monday morning. I need to give a ten minute talk about the future of I.T. and what people who are interested in careers in the industry should do to prepare for a career in the evolving industry.

Any ideas? Any suggestions? Any catchy one-liners?

I'm a confident public speaker, so that's no problem, but I have not got much time to put anything together.

So even if a few of you could suggest some things that they can see happening in the industry or where the jobs are, that would be great.

I was considering talking about: 10 years ago it wasn't that hard to get a job in the industry, but today it's so much harder because you need to be multiskilled. You need to be creative, open-minded, quirky, business minded, intelligent, and dedicated. Education doesn't matter that much - sure, a degree will help you get a job as a network admin - while creativity and willingness to learn in an everchanging environment does.

So, any suggestions to follow those lines? Any disagreements with it?

I really appreciate any help at all at this late stage.


Thanks,
Storer

[abe]

Originally Posted by storer

Hey Guys,

Thought the MacNNers would be the best to ask. I have been asked to fill a spot at a careers expo Monday morning. I need to give a ten minute talk about the future of I.T. and what people who are interested in careers in the industry should do to prepare for a career in the evolving industry.

Any ideas? Any suggestions? Any catchy one-liners?

I'm a confident public speaker, so that's no problem, but I have not got much time to put anything together.

So even if a few of you could suggest some things that they can see happening in the industry or where the jobs are, that would be great.

I was considering talking about: 10 years ago it wasn't that hard to get a job in the industry, but today it's so much harder because you need to be multiskilled. You need to be creative, open-minded, quirky, business minded, intelligent, and dedicated. Education doesn't matter that much - sure, a degree will help you get a job as a network admin - while creativity and willingness to learn in an everchanging environment does.

So, any suggestions to follow those lines? Any disagreements with it?

I really appreciate any help at all at this late stage.


Thanks,
Storer

Ok.

I'm no computer guru. Far from it. But, here's my feedback, input, 2¢...fwiw...

I like your idea. I'd suggest they do something that involves people and charitable endeavors. Or actually being part of an organization, large or small, where they have to take orders from people who aren't as smart as they. Or function in an environment without their normal support systems or usual types of peers.

Inner city literacy programs. Soup kitchen or food bank. Fast food restaurant. Landscaping crew. Join the Military Reserve (Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command). Volunteer at an animal sanctuary. Become a victim's advocate. Work the drug or rape hotline. Volunteer at a hospice.

Find some way to apply your computer skills to helping the less fortunate.

Look for some problem in your community and solve it in some way. Large or small.

This will give the technically minded an opportunity to learn or be reminded of some important skills and principles that will separate them from their competitors.

I trust I wouldn't need to list those skills and principles for you.

[storer]

Thank you I will add something to that effect in.

[olePigeon]

Add something about taking Punjabi as a second language.