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Summer Jobs For The Computer Literate Teen Well, it's that time of year again. The sun is out, females start wearing short shorts again, and summer break is less than a month a way. Things to buy, girls to see, and places to go. Only one problem... those things cost money. What? You're broke? Solution... get a job. If you're like me, spending four or five hours in a hot Taco Bell kitchen doesn't seem that appealing (hmmm... I wonder why.) Neither does going around the neighborhood cutting lawns in the scorching hot Georgia sun. Well, what does that leave. You could either depend on allowance from your parents (yeah, right, when's the last time that happened?) or you could get a real job! By real job, I mean something that would actually benefit you even after you've finished working there. Taco Bell might teach you how to fry burritos (pretty useful if you're a college student within only some refried beans and a microwave), but an internship with a web design firm could help land you into a good college, which in turn might lead to an extremely high-paying job later in life. So even if you don't get paid, it could make all the difference on a resume. Where do you start? Well, my favorite place would be your local Macintosh Users Group. There are tons of Mac pros there, each representing their respective companies. It is an ideal opportunity to pass out business cards or a note saying that you are looking for an internship or job in the computer area. Even if no one offers you a job right then and there, you still will be able to network with them later on. Often times, connections in this industry can be very, very helpful. Not a member of a MUG? Don't want to go to the trouble to get a membership or go to a meeting? Well, there are still other ways. You might search Monster.com or HotJobs to see if they have any available internships. However, unless you're a college student on you're way to receiving a computer diploma, you're not likely to find something that will fit you from these places. You can also look in the newspaper and then call or e-mail some companies just to see if they might have any interest in taking on someone of your age. Well, to get a job, you will of course need a resume. There are a couple of web sites that I would recommend for help while writing your resume and building your portfolio. The first is Ten-Minute Resume. It is a great site that will get you from nothing at all to a professional resume in only ten minutes. Another is Resume Service, a site that gives you tips and ideas on making the best resume you can. The great thing about computers is that most companies do not judge by the number of degrees or classes you've taken, but rather by your previous work. This is why it's a good idea to build a portfolio. If you haven't done that much work but are sure of your abilities as a designer or programmer or whatever else you might like to do, do a couple sample pieces, just in case you are asked for previous work. Start off with small jobs so that you can get the big ones later (like doing a site for your church.) Well, that's all the advice I can think to dish out this week. Good luck, and may fortune and peace of mind come your way. Peace, -Jordan Streiff
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