Hello, I'm a first year university student. I've always wanted to go to uni but I didn't really have an idea of what to study, so I chose to study a major that I'm interested in. I'm enjoying it so far and I know I'd love to finish my degree, but I also know that I probably don't want to have a career in the area this degree would get me. Do you have any tips or advice about whether or not it is a good idea to go through the trouble of getting a degree which might not be put to use?
Thank you.
Hi love. I don't know what country you're in, so I don't know the culture and commonality of your peers switching courses (outside of the U.S., I know it's fairly uncommon and your career tends to be more tied to your degree choice). Coming from the perspective of someone who completed a more unconventional degree in the U.S., here are the things I would consider:
The cost of attendance: Are you going to accrue a considerable amount of debt to attend this university or have you received a scholarship/grants to attend/have your parents decided to help pay for your education? Going into debt for a degree you don't even know you want is not worthwhile in my opinion. It's better to take a little time off and only invest in education that's worthwhile to you/your future career.
Consider the ROI of your degree & transferable/marketable skills: If you're ever going to pursue a degree you're not passionate about, it better be one that is highly marketable/demonstrates a high-value/income skill (e.g. computer science, economics, finance, a law degree, etc.). However, if you're passionate about your degree, consider the skills you're learning and how they are a value-add in the career field you desire to pursue. Connecting the dots and showing why having this "unconventional" degree for your field makes you a desirable (and even one that offers a unique advantage) candidate for prospective employers is key.
Leverage internships, jobs, & all professional perks you get as a student: If you have great professors, a school with a valuable professional reputation in a field you want to pursue, on-campus interview opportunities, your school name/degree looks great on your resume for internship opportunities, etc., make sure to use these opportunities and resources to your advantage to get work opportunities/internships in your desired career field. Learn everything you can through these experiences, work hard and smart, and build your network. Often, your first job opportunities result from a successful internship or a job you took in your last 1-2 years of university, so these professional experiences will be more impactful on your career path than a choice of your degree. If your school and university network is resource-packed and marketable, I think learning these extra skill sets outside of your degree is more than worthwhile once you get your foot in the door vs. starting from square one again and still needing to overcome these modern-day professional hurdles.
I recommend speaking about this concern with your degree with a university advisor, a trusted professor(s), and/or mentor(s) before making any final decisions unless you're going into considerable debt while questioning your degree so heavily.
Hope this helps xx
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How To Get An Online Internship In the IT Sector (Skills And Tips)
Internships provide invaluable opportunities to gain practical skills, build professional networks, and get your foot in the door with top tech companies.
With remote tech internships exploding in IT, online internships are now more accessible than ever. Whether a college student or career changer seeking hands-on IT experience, virtual internships allow you to work from anywhere.
However, competition can be fierce, and simply applying is often insufficient. Follow this comprehensive guide to develop the right technical abilities.
After reading this, you can effectively showcase your potential, and maximize your chances of securing a remote tech internship.
Understand In-Demand IT Skills
The first step is gaining a solid grasp of the most in-demand technical and soft skills. While specific requirements vary by company and role, these competencies form a strong foundation:
Technical Skills:
Proficiency in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, and C++
Experience with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js
Back-end development skills - APIs, microservices, SQL databases
Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
IT infrastructure skills - servers, networks, security
Data science abilities like SQL, R, Python
Web development and design
Mobile app development - Android, iOS, hybrid
Soft Skills:
Communication and collaboration
Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Leadership and teamwork
Creativity and innovation
Fast learning ability
Detail and deadline-oriented
Flexibility and adaptability
Obtain Relevant Credentials
While hands-on skills hold more weight, relevant academic credentials and professional IT certifications can strengthen your profile. Consider pursuing:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related engineering fields
Internship-specific courses teaching technical and soft skills
Certificates like CompTIA, AWS, Cisco, Microsoft, Google, etc.
Accredited boot camp programs focusing on applied skills
MOOCs to build expertise in trending technologies like AI/ML, cybersecurity
Open source contributions on GitHub to demonstrate coding skills
The right credentials display a work ethic and supplement practical abilities gained through projects.
Build An Impressive Project Portfolio
Nothing showcases skills better than real-world examples of your work. Develop a portfolio of strong coding, design, and analytical projects related to your target internship field.
Mobile apps - publish on app stores or use GitHub project pages
Websites - deploy online via hosting services
Data science - showcase Jupyter notebooks, visualizations
Open source code - contribute to public projects on GitHub
Technical writing - blog posts explaining key concepts
Automation and scripts - record demo videos
Choose projects demonstrating both breadth and depth. Align them to skills required for your desired internship roles.
Master Technical Interview Skills
IT internship interviews often include challenging technical questions and assessments. Be prepared to:
Explain your code and projects clearly. Review them beforehand.
Discuss concepts related to key technologies on your resume. Ramp up on fundamentals.
Solve coding challenges focused on algorithms, data structures, etc. Practice online judges like LeetCode.
Address system design and analytical problems. Read case interview guides.
Show communication and collaboration skills through pair programming tests.
Ask smart, well-researched questions about the company’s tech stack, projects, etc.
Schedule dedicated time for technical interview practice daily. Learn to think aloud while coding and get feedback from peers.
Show Passion and Curiosity
Beyond raw skills, demonstrating genuine passion and curiosity for technology goes a long way.
Take online courses and certifications beyond the college curriculum
Build side projects and engage in hackathons for self-learning
Stay updated on industry news, trends, and innovations
Be active on forums like StackOverflow to exchange knowledge
Attend tech events and conferences
Participate in groups like coding clubs and prior internship programs
Follow tech leaders on social mediaListen to tech podcasts while commuting
Show interest in the company’s mission, products, and culture
This passion shines through in interviews and applications, distinguishing you from other candidates.
Promote Your Personal Brand
In the digital age, your online presence and personal brand are make-or-break. Craft a strong brand image across:
LinkedIn profile - showcase achievements, skills, recommendations
GitHub - displays coding activity and quality through clean repositories
Portfolio website - highlight projects and share valuable content
Social media - post career updates and useful insights, but avoid oversharing
Blogs/videos - demonstrate communication abilities and thought leadership
Online communities - actively engage and build relationships
Ensure your profiles are professional and consistent. Let your technical abilities and potential speak for themselves.
Optimize Your Internship Applications
Applying isn’t enough. You must optimize your internship applications to get a reply:
Ensure you apply to openings that strongly match your profile
Customize your resume and cover letters using keywords in the job description
Speak to skills gained from coursework, online learning, and personal projects
Quantify achievements rather than just listing responsibilities
Emphasize passion for technology and fast learning abilities
Ask insightful questions that show business understanding
Follow up respectfully if you don’t hear back in 1-2 weeks
Show interest in full-time conversion early and often
Apply early since competitive openings close quickly
Leverage referrals from your network if possible
This is how you do apply meaningfully. If you want a good internship, focus on the quality of applications. The hard work will pay off.
Succeed in Your Remote Internship
The hard work pays off when you secure that long-awaited internship! Continue standing out through the actual internship by:
Over Communicating in remote settings - proactively collaborate
Asking smart questions and owning your learning
Finding mentors and building connections remotely
Absorbing constructive criticism with maturity
Shipping quality work on or before deadlines
Clarifying expectations frequently
Going above and beyond prescribed responsibilities sometimes
Getting regular feedback and asking for more work
Leaving with letters of recommendation and job referrals
When you follow these tips, you are sure to succeed in your remote internship. Remember, soft skills can get you long ahead in the company, sometimes core skills can’t.
Conclusion
With careful preparation, tenacity, and a passion for technology, you will be able to get internships jobs in USA that suit your needs in the thriving IT sector.
Use this guide to build the right skills, create an impressive personal brand, ace the applications, and excel in your internship.
Additionally, you can browse some good job portals. For instance, GrandSiren can help you get remote tech internships. The portal has the best internship jobs in India and USA you’ll find.
The investment will pay dividends throughout your career in this digital age. Wishing you the best of luck! Let me know in the comments about your internship hunt journey.
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