The job search: What the Pancake

[Riefnu]

***danger ranting ahead***




So its no secret i've been looking for a summer internship job. Only there are three glaring problems.

1. Entry level '1-2 years experience REQUIRED".

Seriously? Entry level means just that. They have no experience meaning they need to ENTER the industry. If you want someone already in then don't call t entry level.

2. Intern. Needed. must know every design software known to man, and be a demi-god at it. Knowledge of MS office preffered.

Right...a student learning the industry must know as much as a 20 year veteran and then some, just to be considered, but if they know one of the most common software bundles on the planet they are preffered?

3. Scams/nospec

need i say more? Yes I do. I'm ranting. "No compensation! portfolio/experience!" "You pay us!" (yes I saw that. I reported it too) "College credit" (wait I can't be paid AND get credit? haha silly me College is CHEAP who needs a PAYING job for that silliness../sarcasm)

[CkretAjint]

At least you now who you DONT want to work for! ;)

[Riefnu]

^unfortunately it's everyone!

The only promising "intern" spot was a civil engineer needed to "design" water works. Lol.

[budafist]

1. Entry level '1-2 years experience REQUIRED".

Seriously? Entry level means just that. They have no experience meaning they need to ENTER the industry. If you want someone already in then don't call t entry level.

You know why though don't you? This is to filter out people with no experience. If you really think you can handle the entry level position with no experience, then go for the jobs anyway. The worst they can do is turn you down. Entry level positions here ask for 2 years experience because there loads of students with no experience looking for jobs. They put a 2 year "filter" on to try and focus and get less applicants.

[mojoprime]

buda's right, and then ask for a tryout. the worst they can say is no, and if you get a shot, wow them.

[John G]

psh, just make up 2 years experience. Not fib or anything, all those stupid little jobs you did for your mom, or designing your friend's sister's wedding invitation. You have 1-2 years experience all you have to do is remember them and put them into 1 or 2 sentences with the word freelance or the like.

[NTLemon]

I'm with you on this one. I'm in the same position.

I've found way too many "opportunities" that pay as little as a line cook and require knowledge in basically every existing software that might be considered for use in graphic design. As well as 2-4 yrs experience with prepress and in depth knowledge of scripting languages. Oh Boy!

As far as the basic graphic design experience though I think its pretty easy to stretch any preexisting experience you've had to fit that. If there is any good opportunity that might require more experience than you have it would still be worth applying to if you think you can handle the job description and they like your resume/portfolio. Worse comes to worse you don't get it and you move on.

[D-Frag]

but the glaring question is why would you want to work in the arts industry when a manager position at McDonalds makes $20K more then a design position ;)

[budafist]

You would take the manager job at McDonalds if money is important to you.

You would take the design job if design is important to you.

[Riefnu]

I have never worked at, and never will work at, any fast food chain. I have worked at a company where part of their business was from fast food, but I didn't work in that area.


As for design work...I was 'undecided' my first year of college and then picked graphic design (which greatly increased my GPA:D ). I've been a student for 3 years now. So I havn't got all that much experience. I originally thought a lot about being in a science major until I figured out I completely hate higher math like Calculus and what not. Sciencey theory is nice and fun. just dont tell me to run the math. :rolleyes:

[budafist]

I have never worked at, and never will work at, any fast food chain. I have worked at a company where part of their business was from fast food, but I didn't work in that area.

How do you know? Have you seen into the future and seen that there will be other jobs you can do instead?

[John G]

Managerial positions at fast food are practically full time on call 100% of the time work. They should get paid at least 50% more than they get. At least where I worked at, I'm not sure they ever slept.

You should work at a fast food place, it's an eye opening experience and rather humbling. It also makes you less of a dick later on in life when you order food from that 15 year old.

[Riefnu]

@ buda

Fast-food is pretty much the only wage-slave job I havn't done. I'd say construction or factory work too, but they get paid more than minimum wage in a lot of cases, also have benefits and unions, so they can't be considered wage-slave.

I've told myself I won't be working wage-slave any longer unless dire circumstances forces me there. If the job pays minimum wage (or in the case of waiters LESS than minimum wage). I won't do it.

I've never worked at fast food, mostly out of pure chance, and now I never will.\



@john I know the kid taking my order doesn't need the stress. I've worked some really crummy, and stressful wage slave jobs. If anything the manager should get the attitude. He's basically telling some kid "make my store good or else I fire you from the lowest paying job in town."

[furiouSPEED]

You would take the manager job at McDonalds if money is important to you.

You would take the design job if design is important to you.

Design is important, but money isn't less important. :D

[sierng]

You should work at a fast food place, it's an eye opening experience and rather humbling. It also makes you less of a dick later on in life when you order food from that 15 year old.

I second that notion John. I worked in hospitality for about 4-5 years in restaurants, and hotels before I started studying Design.

[Riefnu]

^ I've worked as a store opener (setting up floor displays), Stocker at a several retail stores, Serivce/hospitality, Ride operator, and custodial. All for minimum wage over the past 6 years.

Do I qualify as having experience in wage-slavery?

[budafist]

BTW, I've never worked in fast food either. I was just stirring the pot. ;)

[PrintDriver]

There is a difference between 'entry level job", 'summer job' and 'internship'.

Most internships are not advertised. You have to go knocking on doors if your school or GD department doesn't already have a list of prospective internship mentors. A summer job would not ask for 1-2 years experience unless the employer was seeking more than a summer worker.

Most design firms (and print shop production managers) not only weed out the inexperienced, they also ignore someone who will only be staying 2 or 3 months unless given a really good reason not to. It takes a lot of time and effort to train someone into a firm's way of doing things. That's not something they want to have walk out the door after 8 weeks.

[Riefnu]

I'm looking at all three at the moment PD. Summer jobs and internships would be nice, but I would even go for a part-time job during the school year if I could find one.

My problem with commuting to all the potential design firms, at this moment in time, is my budget doesn't allow it. If it was JUST driving I would be fine, but since this is Northern Illinois in the summer we're talking about it would be much much more.


For those of you not 'in the know' summer time in Illinois means Orange, Orange, and more Orange. Construction everywhere. I'd burn up more gasoline stopped in gridlock trying to get into and out of the city. I took the train in once, but didn't have any luck. Everything within easy distance of the train (about 20 minutes maximum walking distance) isn't hiring interns / summer employees at this time.


I'm thinking i'm going to have to say its a write off for a job and just use it as studying and practice time.