<p>Hi all, I graduated in May with a BS in computer science and I haven't had any luck with finding a job. Would getting a technical certification (like Java programmer or something similar) be helpful? What are some good certifications to train for?</p>
<p>I’m not sure about other types of certifications, but getting a certification in “Java programming” is not going to be useful IMO, because you should be writing on your resume what programming languages you know anyway.</p>
<p>I really don’t mean to be rude but how in the world do you not have 3-4 job offers waiting for you? At our school ( Top 50 engineering dept), companies fight for CS majors while the rest of us engineers( ME, ChE, EE) get shafted at the career fair.</p>
<p>Thank you for responding. amby262roy, I also went to a top 50 engineering school, but I had a low gpa (2.7, I don’t put it on my resume. I have been asked for it in some interviews (not all), and they have all ended in rejections.). I guess I should have clarified my original question and asked whether a certification like Sun Certified Java Programmer can compensate for the low gpa. I would do it without question if cost weren’t an issue…but at $300 dollars per exam, I don’t know how good it is going to be. It’s also a little frustrating because most of my gpa is based on classes with two or three theoretical paper tests that were weighted heavily (which I usually bombed), and only a handful of higher level project based classes which I did very well in (less heavily weighted or nonexistent tests).</p>
<p>The first thing you do is remind yourself it is only June. The second thing you do is call every professor who might remember who you are and make sure they know you are looking and have your resume. It doesn’t look good for the school to have unemployeed alumni. You also have to be very honest with yourself and anybody you can network with that you have clear strengths and weaknesses. You are not good at theoretical paper tests and can’t be placed in a job where that would be required. {You are going to have to figure out what that means in the job world.} Sounds like you also need to practice interviewing.</p>
<p>F40Driver,</p>
<p>The best type of jobs to “get your foot in the door” are the system administration type of jobs because not everyone wants them and sometimes you may get bored. I would look into a Linux certification first, Linux+ or Red Hat. C++/Java developers hate worrying about the operating system platform and so do database developers/architects/DBA’s.</p>
<p>All you care about is getting your foot in the door. After that, you can network your way into other software or CS areas that you like.</p>
<p>I see…thanks for the input, GLOBALTRAVELER and MomfromKC!</p>
<p>OK man, do this… as MomfromKC said contact professors who remember you. I am sure if you have a 2.7, there must have been some classes you got Bs and As in. Contact profs who taught those classes. Professors should get calls from companies asking if they would like to recommend anyone for an internship( at this point internship is better than sitting around) if they remember u, they will if you call them, they are more likely to refer you than some other guy. Good luck man. </p>
<p>also where are you from,here in california there are tons of CS/CE jobs.</p>