How To Get Into Careers Without Experience

Apr 3

BY ALICE RUSH, MA, CCC-Certified Career Counselor

Oftentimes as students we take on a new degree or certificate hoping it will get us into a new career field, perhaps a higher paying job - all on its own. Sadly, however, almost every job advertisement requires experience- even for ‘entry level’ jobs. So how do you get experience?

CONSIDER AN INTERNSHIP

Internships can be paid or unpaid, yet by their very definition- and internship is essentially ‘on -the-job training.’ Some internships can be so valuable, you almost want to pay them for the experience and training they give you to open up doors for your career future. However, if you are in a financial spot where working for free is not feasible, consider only searching for Paid Internships then, and also inquire about “stipends.” Stipends are funded through grants for students seeking internship payment, often based on low- income requirements. You may also consider a part time only non-paid internship if you can manage this in addition to your full time job that supports you financially.

CONSIDER AN APPRENTICESHIP

Apprenticeships are “On-the-Job Training” assignments, yet you are hired on as an employee complete with a salary and benefits while you are learning a new trade or field. Typically you are paid to go to school and work for the employer and the employer pays for your education in addition to a salary and benefits. To learn more about apprenticeships, go to www.apprenticeship.gov .

HOW FIND AN INTERNSHIP OR APPRENTICESHIP? SEE RESOURCES BELOW:

https://www.computerjobs.com/us/en/IT-Jobs/ - Computer Jobs

https://www.computerwork.com/us/en/IT-Jobs/ - Computer Work

https://www.dice.com/about/homepage - Dice

https://justtechjobs.com/ - Just Tech

https://jobs.acm.org/ - Association for Computer Machinery

https://www.gamedesigning.org/category/career/ - Great info on Game Designing and career opps.

Remote jobs -that include tech

https://www.ariseworkfromhome.com/

Healthcare related remote jobs – that include tech-related jobs

https://join.liveops.com/apply-now/#current-openings

https://www.cioxhealth.com/about-us/people-culture/careers/

Freelance/Gig sites – with creative/tech related opps.

Freelancer – largest freelancing marketplace for creative professionals
Fiverr – find freelance work projects primarily in graphics/design, data analytics, digital marketing, and music/audio services.

For federal experience: