Help: Need Work Experience

[Tim158]

Hi there,

I'm a student studying an Internet Technologies degree (BEng Hons). I have two years of web development experience using technologies such as (X)HTML, CSS, PHP and mySQL - I got this experience in my spare time working freelance.

What else can I do to challenge myself and build my CV/resume? I would like to work for a reputable company that relies heavily on the Internet for communication, or even a web development company, over the summer. How do I find a placement without 'spamming' companies with my CV/resume?

I would even work for free to get the experience, but how do I present myself to companies without looking too desparate?

Thanks in advance,

Tim.

[jpmoriarty]

your best bet is to go and knock on their doors. If you do a spam then you'll find 90% of your letters in the bin: if you do some research, find a list of about 20 companies that you would like to work for (and actually want to work for them, dont just pick anyone who you see the name of) (and I'd suggest that they're fairly small companies where you can make a big impression) and then go and see them. Maybe phone up first, but i think there's something to be said for just turning up, knowing the name of someone who's relevant to talk to, and having a good portfolio with you of examples of your work, what your ideas are, that sort of thing.

You'll be turned away from a lot of places, but just maybe someone will take you in and give you a go. And i would say under no circumstances expect to be paid - dont even contemplate it - and dont worry about looking dessperate, that's what you are and they'll know it. Just dont come across as pathetic!

Good luck though.

[Tim158]

Thanks a lot, I'll let you know how I get on.

[starrwriter]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tim158
[B]Hi there,

I'm a student studying an Internet Technologies degree (BEng Hons). I have two years of web development experience using technologies such as (X)HTML, CSS, PHP and mySQL - I got this experience in my spare time working freelance.

What else can I do to challenge myself and build my CV/resume? I would like to work for a reputable company that relies heavily on the Internet for communication, or even a web development company, over the summer. How do I find a placement without 'spamming' companies with my CV/resume?

I would even work for free to get the experience, but how do I present myself to companies without looking too desparate?

Tim,
One way is to learn spelling (desparate?) and grammar. It always amazes me that people who are proficient in complicated programming languages often don't bother to learn their own mother tongue. Writing well is a very important part of resumes.

[nkaisare]

Originally posted by starrwriter
One way is to learn spelling (desparate?) and grammar.
StarW
Of course, this being an informal forum, people are likely to make more errors. Seriously, you don't proofread your posts, do you?

Tim,
You may start by keeping your eyes and ears open. There may be some opportunities here on this forum itself. If you find someone struggling with website (which you think is a reasonable sized job), try contacting them. Of course be frugal in doing that - some poeple may not like soliciting on a forum.

Your school may have some career service, which is a good place to start.

Other options include doing something for a non-profit organization for free. In return, request them for references. Or maybe your school, student organizations etc may be looking to (re)build their website/backend.

HTML being just my hobby, I haven't "been there and done that" to provide you with any better suggestions.

But I have done websites for my research group, an internation conference and students assoc of my school (all for free). All of them just happened - you don't find too many chemical engineers doing a lot of html/cgi ;)

[Robert Wellock]

Yes, do you know of any local educational establishments, they'd probably be geared towards internet based technologies, have the reputation and knowledge of dealing with students, although as to whether they'd let you create them a website if they already have one is debatable.

Don't always think of Internet, think Intranet as well it keeps more windows of opportunities open.

[Tim158]

I know that an Intranet is just a website on a local network, but are there any differences regarding coding?

For example, is it even possible to use a PHP form on an Intranet? And what about network security?

I have never had control over a network before, so I always assumed that this was more in the system adminstator's relm.

[Robert Wellock]

It's basically the same from a 'web authors' perspective, it is just that normally user-access is not allowed outside the organisations firewall and a Local Area Network Server might house the content rather than an external web-server.

Assuming the Intranet is configured correctly; running something equivalent to Apache then there is no reason why PHP forms couldn't function.

I myself run Apache on my standalone machine via Windows without any problems. The intranet here is not as advanced and is just static but if they wanted they could have used one of the servers to generate dynamic content. Really it depends on the company setup.

[Tim158]

Thanks for the info, I shall follow your advice if I ever see the opportunity to create an Intranet - hopefully I will.

[maverick]

Tim,
look at the websites of some businesses in your area - pick out the weak ones - contact them and tell them you can improve their sites and business - you are hired!

maverick

[AussieMatt]

Im pretty much in the same situation as Tim, except, im only 15! :(

I know php/html/flash/css/Javascript/adobe photoshop, some more than others but school interferes with any internship I may attempt to get.

Ive emailed a few, but they all say they dont do internships (whether its my age that stops them, or they genuinely dont have interns).

Id love to get some experience of Designing, doing the projects over the web would probably be easiest for me.

Any thoughts?

Matthew