High School Tech Job

[bear95]

I'm trying to look work over the summer but so far I've found nothing. I'm going to become a senior in high school and looked at some local places and bigger places such as Microcenter and Bestbuy but I'm not old enough to work at Microcenter and I've given up on bestbuy because I went online, I called, I emailed, I went in person to resolve certain complications but its going nowhere. Do you guys have any suggestions?

[harrison]

the only opportunity for those kind of jobs without 'relevant work experience and education' are small chains and mom and pop shops.  those, unfortunately, started dying out in the late '90s thanks to reduced margins and big-box tech stores.  there aren't many left these days... large stores aren't going to take a chance on someone, and as crappy as that is... it's just the way the world works.

[The_Ed]

I work at Arby's. You get what you can get. Work is work, you can't be picky in this economy. Your ideal "tech job" places usually don't hire people for only 3 months.

[alaricljs]

How can you be old enough to work at BB but not MC?  An age policy on MC's part is age discrimination and illegal.

Aside from that, when I got out of HS my only opportunity of a tech job was working for the same company that my father worked for at the time.  Not a small business really but certainly not a national chain.  I doubt that the current economy would allow for this sort of opportunity.  I have no idea how much of a 'gimme' this was for my father, but on the other hand they paid me rather well (1.5x min. wage) and I did do legitimate work.

Without a family member 'in the biz' then you need to network, and even then it may get you nowhere... But networking is good practice and could net you returns down the road.

[bear95]

I'm planning to work not only over the summer but during the school year too but obviously with lower hours. About age, MC requires a High School Diploma while BB does not. Also, I'm not getting work just for the sake of work or money, but I'm working to get enough hours to get more experience in the tech area and also perhaps work towards stuff like A+ certification.

[sth]

How can you be old enough to work at BB but not MC?  An age policy on MC's part is age discrimination and illegal.

Not true. Businesses have to have certain insurance to hire 16-17 year olds, and not having that insurance is not considered discrimination in the eyes of the law.

[alaricljs]

Seriously?  how times change.

Googled it... amusingly enough the age discrimination act never covered young people, only people over 40.  sheesh.

[bear95]

Talking about discrimination, I have a visa(moved from Canada), and I applied to work at my school and I was given the job and when I was about to work there I got rejected because they obviously did not want to deal with the visa. I repeatedly told them that I have been working before legally(as a ski instructor) without any problems and they wouldn't even take it in. Legally, they are supposed to accept and consider my papers no matter what but they didn't. Working in the tech department at school would've been a huge opportunity since its so close and therefore would've been able to put in more hours.

[alaricljs]

Uhm dude... lawyer up?  There should be a lawyer somewhere willing to draw up some nice threatening paperwork just for the opportunity to win that one.

[The_Ed]

Lawyers and politicians are the scum of the bucket. There are always more job opportunities.

[bear95]

Yeah, I was considering that but I'm already kind of tired dealing legal issues with my ISP (won it ). So instead, I took revenge silently/indirectly. I publicized all the admin and wifi passwords so that he got in trouble by the Board of Ed and later installed a router giving unrestricted internet to everyone in the school. I also did this not just for revenge but my friends and I felt that the IT guy was a troll and we felt bad for his coworker who got in trouble all the time for the IT guy's laziness.

[sth]

Yeah, I was considering that but I'm already kind of tired dealing legal issues with my ISP (won it ). So instead, I took revenge silently/indirectly. I publicized all the admin and wifi passwords so that he got in trouble by the Board of Ed and later installed a router giving unrestricted internet to everyone in the school. I also did this not just for revenge but my friends and I felt that the IT guy was a troll and we felt bad for his coworker who got in trouble all the time for the IT guy's laziness.

Wow, gfl getting a tech job or any job if your name is ever linked to that...

[The_Ed]

I highly doubt that would ever happen

#1001st post when combining GH and DT!

[bear95]

You could also try to find a data entry job (which will benefit you in the future) or a computer operator job doing backups/etc.

Do you have any suggestions where to look for these kind of jobs? So far I've asked nearby libraries and town offices without much luck. All I could get was some temporary work where I reimaged all the computers and cable-tied all the wires. :/

[Wildcard]

I'm sure there's lots of jobs out there if you do some digging. Sometimes it's who you know.

So for starters:

1) check all the online job sites for your area for basic tech jobs, might have to work support in a call center to get a little experience on your resume
2) talk to friends and family who work in IT to see if they know of anything or anyone they could point you to
3) talk to any teachers you know that teach IT and see if they know anyone looking for "extra help".

I'd think a phone tech support job (maybe with a local ISP?) or position running network cabling could be found somewhere. Both jobs are pretty bad (did that a long time ago) but like The_Ed alluded too, it's work.

When you get to collage, think internships and get as much experience as you can.

[Reptile]

Try staples easytech

[IvanIvanovich]

It's pretty hard below 18 honestly. Most places require at least a HS diploma as well. My advice is do it on your own, post ads on craigslist, etc and just offer your services. Working for yourself is better than punching the clock for someone else anyway.

[terrpn]

I'm glad I am now to old to not worry about that any more........... Of course having a daughter in college keeps me young.

Don't give up and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty

[rknize]

I worked at Radio Shack for a year or two.  Boring, but you do get some interesting customers on occasion that you probably don't get at Best Buy.  The shack is different now, but they are still the only common retail place for odd-ball electronics stuff.  The pay was bad because it was less than minimum wage or (not plus) commission.  They made it pretty tough to make good commission.  They even lowered the rate around Christmas.  Not sure if it still works that way.

As far as lawyers...do you really want to work for someone that you needed a lawyer to get the job?  No, you don't.  That's like giving your two weeks and then staying because they offer more money.  That rarely works out well in the long run.

[bear95]

As far as lawyers...do you really want to work for someone that you needed a lawyer to get the job?  No, you don't.  That's like giving your two weeks and then staying because they offer more money.  That rarely works out well in the long run.

Yeah. And even before that, I've argued with the guy too much about papers to be able to comfortably work with him anyway.

[kbafewx]

Try assisting someones parents you know when it comes to software and tech. create a mini network... update drivers, clean the disks, patch the software. A lot of older folks are way out of touch with simple things on computers.

[hoggy]

^

Plenty of folks need a bit of hand holding if it's their first computer.  You should be able to find some work going to someone's home and spending an hour or two showing them how to browse and use email.  

Word of mouth is pretty good for this sort of thing.  Put some cards up in warden assisted housing for an easy start.  Offer to pop to the shop and pick up bread/milk on the way there if you really want to go the extra mile.

You'll have to have lots of patience and an easy smile.

[bear95]

I've already spent 100+ hours volunteering at local places in "Computer Workshops" teaching how to work around computers.

Cause I need to do something quick and don't they I can find any tech-related job right now(but I will still be looking for one), I've decided to just renew my lifeguarding license and work at ymca down the street and study for certifications instead. Thanks for the help everyone.

[SmallFry]

I work at my high school, nice gig. Though it's only minimum wage, I have a great boss and another part time guy that works there. I'll be a junior so I think I can keep this job for at least a few years...

[bear95]

I have a quick question about certification. SO. I'm going to take the CompTIA A+  Essentials and Practical Application next month. Do I get my A+ certification immediately after passing the two exams or do I have to do something to get the actual certification? And boy, the exams are expensive

[Phil21]

You didn't mention your skills... Resume perhaps?

Been a while since I was in this position, but really from what I recall it was convincing people you could act mature and professionally, as well as having above-average knowledge for a 16 year old.

Big box stores will be different, I suppose.

I would remove the story about your little wifi revenge plot.  While we all have stories as kids, publishing it isn't a great idea - especially in a "I hate my boss he's a dumbass" - that attitude just makes it even worse.  It seems you have a lot of drama following you around (legal issues with ISP, visa, etc) - hiring managers can smell this a mile away, and there is absolutely no bigger turn off.  Many qualified prospects have not been called back, simply because of the seeming drama that may follow them in the door vs. that kid who has his head down focusing on the work itself.

This is coming from someone who does hire entry-level employees from time to time, but in the datacenter/ISP field vs. retail.  Unfortunately you also have to be 18 to even be allowed in most of our buildings

[Internetlad]

TBH i'd avoid the field, it's oversaturated and if you're looking to work under somebody as a low end "Technician" the wages you get aren't worth it. It's certainly not what I'd consider "Summer job" type stuff.

If you're really serious about it, get your A+ certification (it's a joke) and your net+ (networking is where the big jobs are at, corporate stuff)

In the meantime, take what you can get. If you're serious about tech work, Put out an ad in a local paper for severely discounted computer work, (a 65 dollar reformat would get people interested) try to list your credentials in a professional manner and keep it succinct.

Do the job right and see what happens, but expect a lot of unhappy customers returning with invalid arguements about how their computer is still slow after they got it reinfected, etc. A lot of businesses started in somebody's basement, and it's just as much a PR job as a tech job.

I have a quick question about certification. SO. I'm going to take the CompTIA A+  Essentials and Practical Application next month. Do I get my A+ certification immediately after passing the two exams or do I have to do something to get the actual certification? And boy, the exams are expensive

yes, the exams are very expensive considering what you get from them (I learned next to nothing from studying for the exams, and my current boss holds "absolutely no faith in that certification" and "has hired A+ certified guys that know nothing") but if it lands you a job, gotta spend money to make money.

AFAIK you receive the certification after completing the two exams, you don't need to put in x job hours or anything.