9 replies to this topic

[putertutor33]

Back about mid July, I posted a comment about volunteering.  I am still a part time volunteer and a part time salaried employee. I work as a technician, refurblishing computers for kids.  The pay really isn't much, but the bentifit of seeing the smiling faces of the kids upon receiving their computer is like getting a bonus.  I know it is hard in these time to make ends meet, and that applys to me also.  I would encourage each and everyone one of you to give a little of your time to help someone eles in whatever ways you can,  It'll come back to you in one way or another.  

[putertutor33]

great post!

A lot of new members are curious about how to get their foot in the door in IT, and volunteering is a great way to satisfy that requirement AND give a little bit back to the community AND get that warm-fuzzy feeling too.  

Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thank you Skrpune for your kind and true comments

[Menippus]

great post!

A lot of new members are curious about how to get their foot in the door in IT, and volunteering is a great way to satisfy that requirement AND give a little bit back to the community AND get that warm-fuzzy feeling too.  

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

One of the better ways to get experience and help people, is to get a job working in the IT field for a Not-for-Profit company. The money is awful, the hours are long, but you help people who really need it.

A quick story: I used to work in a NFP company and teach a beginner class in computers, one of the older ladies (70's) was afraid to touch the keyboard because she thought she would break it! I just learned the other day she just passed her Comptia A+ at the young age of 73.

Regards,

Menippus

[JediCheese]

How would you go about finding a volunteer position like this?  I assume they don't post these sorts of things on Monster or whatnot?

[goodyman]

How would you go about finding a volunteer position like this?  I assume they don't post these sorts of things on Monster or whatnot?

idealist.org

[marizandres]

Being a volunteer helps you in your career path. I've been a volunteer for a year when I started and that is my steeping stone.

[Samer Mitwally]

Volunteering allows you to not only feel good about yourself, but also to experience the learning curve.

[ChildofAthena]

I have worked in HR at an IT company and I can tell you volunteering is a plus. It speaks to experience in a work environment and it also speaks to character. Organizations are becoming more socially responsible and they like to have staff that is willing to assist them in their chosen cause.

If you are not able to volunteer in an IT area it still adds up. What you can do especially as a programmer is tell of personal projects that you have dabbled in on your own to keep yourself up to date and challenged. It shows interested and a commitment to lifelong learning.

[ITspiderman]

is how I got my first job in IT.

[Astodd23]

Always check with local charities, hospitals and goverment offices.