My son just graduated from UCSD school for information technology,
multi-media etc.  And he can't find a job.  He's really smart, and
talented, but like a lot of us nerds, he's a little shy.  How can I
help him get a good job?  Can you recommend a career counselor who's
really into high tech?

His school's mission is: Extend the reach of the Internet throughout
the physical world. Cal-(IT)² teams UCSD and UCI faculty, students,
and research professionals with leading California telecommunications,
computer, software, and applications companies to conduct research on
the scientific and technological components needed to bring this new
Internet into being. Institute applications researchers are conducting
their studies in “living laboratories” to investigate how this future
Internet will accelerate advances in environmental science, civil
infrastructure, intelligent transportation and telematics, genomic
medicine, the new media arts, and educational practices.

---

Request for Question Clarification by arimathea-ga on 26 Dec 2002 15:43 PST

knute,

I'm pretty much ready to answer this question, but I realize it is
subjective.  I don't believe the career counselor route is the best
one, so i'd like to recommend a multiple-path approach based on my own
experience, and include some references to good sources of information
on learning to succeed in business life, particular for "geeks".  Let
me know if this answer would do for your price - along with the
opportunity of asking additional questions, of course (via
clarification).

Thanks,
arimathea-ga
Google Answers Researcher

---

Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 26 Dec 2002 15:44 PST

knute - 

Thanks for your question.

I'd love to help - I could offer some advice and direct you to a
variety of sources.  What exactly is he looking for?  What is his
skill set?  And - what exactly are you expecting in terms of a
complete answer to your question?

thanks,
ragingacademic

Answer to question: "How can I help my son find an IT squared job. See
above", by knute-ga.  Question ID: 133613.

Greetings!

QUESTION

"How can I help my son find an IT squared job?"  

ANSWER

Part 1. General

The answer, of course, is "it depends."  It depends on what he wants
to do with his life.  It depends on his committment to a career in IT.
 It depends on his perception of how the exponential growth of both
"garbage in" and "garbage out" can be reversed.  It depends on his
perception of the technologies that will be prospering during his
professional lifetime.

In this answer, I will assume that he wants to work, and he wants to
contribute to a better future for humanity.  In spite of the economic
slowdown, young people with his skills are in demand, and the demand
is bound to increase as the economic recovery unfolds.  Therefore, I
will assume that he can find a good job *if* he really knows what he
wants to do.

As anyone with IT training and experience knows, the central problem
going forward is our inability to reduce information to knowledge; or,
at least, to architect information in such a way that it is easy for
information/knowledge users to find it, understand it, and actually
use it for some meaningful purpose [1, 2].

Toward the end of your question, you state: "Institute applications
researchers are conducting their studies in “living laboratories” to
investigate how this future Internet will accelerate advances in
environmental science, civil infrastructure, intelligent
transportation and telematics, genomic medicine, the new media arts,
and educational practices."

This is the future, no question about it.  What is needed (at least in
the First World) is not simply more bandwidth to move more information
garbage, but filters to detect and move high quality, useful
information.  These filters must be designed to support advances in
areas that are really critical for the future of humanity, such as the
ones you mention [3].

Part 2. Technological Forecasting

For the scenario described in part 1, then the question becomes: what
will be the IT-based technologies that will experience significant
growth in the next decade or two?  A useful point of reference is the
Battelle Technology Forecasts [4].

"Selection for the top ten lists, were compiled by a diverse panel of
Battelle's finest minds, and based on three criteria. Each selection
must:

    * Provide benefits to the end user.

    * Enjoy a protected and sustainable competitive advantage in such
areas
      as quality, uniqueness, or price.

    * Support business goals."

The "Battelle Technology Forecasts" are as follows (click on the links
in [4]):

    * Top Ten Technologies by 2005
    * Top Ten Most Innovative Products by 2006
    * Top Ten Breakthroughs for Household Products by 2007
    * Top Ten Challenges and Opportunities by 2008
    * Top Ten Healthy Home Trends by 2010
    * Top Ten Drivers of Consumer Value by 2010
    * Top Ten Energy Innovations by 2010
    * High Tech Haven: Forecast Predicts the Top Ten Innovations in
Home
      Comfort and Convenience in 2012 
    * Strategic Technologies by 2020

All the options have one common denominator: they are IT-based.

Part 3. How to help your son

Given this outlook information, your son should be able to pick one of
the many options to start his career.  I find the options under "Top
Ten Challenges and Opportunities by 2008" specially attractive.  But,
in my personal opinion, it should be *his* decision.  May I suggest
that you play the role of a "mentor", i.e., a role model for his
professional life.  A career counselor may be helpful, but the best
way to help your son is to make him aware of the possibilities that
will trigger in him a desire to go out and do something for his own
benefit *and* the benefit of humanity.  Then he can overcome his
shyness, and he should have no problem in getting a good job.

SOURCES

[1] "Brint Institute Directory - Global Knowledge Network of Business
& Technology", http://www.brint.com/

[2] "Thompson-Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of
Knowledge", http://www.isinet.com/isi/

[3] For example, relative to environmental science, see the "Ecocosm
Dynamics" research project, http://www.ecocosmdynamics.org/

[4] "Battelle Technology Forecasts",
http://www.battelle.org/forecasts/default.stm

SEARCH STRATEGY

I was already familiar with the sources, and do have some expertise
being a mentor for young people with early career difficulties.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

The answer is articulated in three parts.  Part 1 describes the
situational scenario in which the young man is embedded.  Part 2
provides a list of the best technological forecasts applicable to
IT-based careers.  Part 3 defines the role of "mentor" (as opposed to
"career counselor").  Life is good.  A productive and fruitful life is
even better.  When work and the benefit of humanity coincide, the
desire to move forward becomes strong enough to overcome many human
limitations, including shyness.

I hope the information in this answer will be useful to you.  Before
rating this answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a
question or if you would need further information.

Hope you will come back to visit us at Google Answers.  

Best regards,
pelican-ga
Google Answers Researcher

---

Request for Answer Clarification by knute-ga on 29 Dec 2002 12:17 PST

Hello,

I'm Knute's son, Christopher. You can view my resume and web based
portfolio at http://www.christopherberg.net

This should answer any questions you might have about internships,
experience, etc. I currently have a job in the videogame industry at
Midway in San Diego. I have worked there as a tester for 6 months and
was recently promoted to a goto Technical Standards Analyst for
"Mortal Kombat 5: Deadly Alliance". I have tried to promoted myself
within the company, but the industry is unstable. Recently there were
130 layoffs in my dept, but I survived. I am trying for a entry level
programming (jr. programmer) or a level designer or jr. artist
position. I have studied both and have a year's worth of
non-commercial game experience working for the Director of C.R.C.A.
(UCSD) and an associate professor at UCSD. We developed an multi-user
interactive environment for the Reuben H. Fleet museum. I also have IT
skills and experience, so it is not too late to pursue these skills as
well. I do prefer to be creative and I currently enjoy working on 3D
art for my portfolio. My programming experience comes from UCSD, but I
need more help in order to move into commercial game design. I am
currently stuck as a tester, but recently had an interview at Rockstar
Games for a testing position (a friend sent me the email address). I
am looking for any advice in order to gain a development position.
Please view my resume in order to give me some advice. Thank you.
Christopher

---

Clarification of Answer by pelican-ga on 30 Dec 2002 05:05 PST

> Request for Answer Clarification by knute-ga on 29 Dec 2002 12:17 PST 
> 
> Hello, 
>  
> I'm Knute's son, Christopher. You can view my resume and web based
> portfolio at http://www.christopherberg.net

:-) Hello Christopher, good to hear from you ... and good to know 
you are not so shy after all!

Your resume is very well done.  Goodness, you have talent!  
You are entering the job market at a difficult time, but I 
am certain you have a good career ahead of you.
  
> This should answer any questions you might have about internships,
> experience, etc. I currently have a job in the videogame industry at
> Midway in San Diego. I have worked there as a tester for 6 months and
> was recently promoted to a goto Technical Standards Analyst for
> "Mortal Kombat 5: Deadly Alliance". I have tried to promoted myself
> within the company, but the industry is unstable. Recently there were
> 130 layoffs in my dept, but I survived. I am trying for a entry level
> programming (jr. programmer) or a level designer or jr. artist

Unless you love coding, and after looking at your work, my 
suggestion is to change the "objective" in your resume from 
"Computer Graphics Developer: ..." to "Computer Graphics 
Designer & Developer".  

Your testing experience has given you a feeling for testing 
against user and design requirements, right?  You already know
how to write structured code for 3D graphics, right?  And there
are many people who can code and test, right?

But there are not many people who really know how to define 
testable user and design requirements.  In terms of career 
potential and growth, this is where the action is!

> position. I have studied both and have a year's worth of
> non-commercial game experience working for the Director of C.R.C.A.
> (UCSD) and an associate professor at UCSD. We developed an multi-user
> interactive environment for the Reuben H. Fleet museum. I also have IT
> skills and experience, so it is not too late to pursue these skills as
> well. I do prefer to be creative and I currently enjoy working on 3D
> art for my portfolio. My programming experience comes from UCSD, but I
> need more help in order to move into commercial game design. I am

I will let you be the judge as to whether or not you need 
more programming (coding) experience, but again, defining 
good requirements is where the action is.  This includes:

1. Defining good artistic requirements for the art to be produced.
2. Making sure that the specified art is the art customers want.
3. Making sure that all the requirements are testable.

Note: Computer graphics software is notorious for integration 
problems, so the requirements must be testable at all levels: 
unit test, integration test, system test.

> currently stuck as a tester, but recently had an interview at Rockstar
> Games for a testing position (a friend sent me the email address). I

Patience ... my years as a tester were invaluable for my 
subsequent professional development.  I am one of those
who believe that coding and testing assignments should 
alternate.  Else, the "developer" remains "underdeveloped".

> am looking for any advice in order to gain a development position.
> Please view my resume in order to give me some advice. Thank you.
> Christopher

OK, these are my recommendations:

(1) If you feel ready for design, go for the jr designer position.
(2) Else, go for a developer position, but make sure it is clearly
understood that "promotion" to design is the goal.
(3) Take some training in "requirements analysis" database tools.
(4) Take some training in requirements-design-code-test cases-bugs 
found traceability.

Some questions:

Do you know how to define "quality" for 3D graphics software?
Do you know how to do integration test builds?
Do you use an adequate software configuration management tool?
Do you know about interpersonal/group/organization dynamics?
Do you know about ISO 9000, CMM, Baldrige, etc.?

A negative answer to any of these questions may signal a need for 
for additional training or self-study *in the near future*.

Some additional *practical* questions:

Do you want to stay in the San Diego area?  
Any other geographical preference?
Any sector preference -- business, government?
Any industry preference -- health, environment, other ...?
Are you interested in Hispanic art (fastest growing market)?

Let me hear from you!

Sincerely,
pelican-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by pelican-ga on 07 Jan 2003 07:18 PST

Hello Christopher, 

Have you explored the GAIN website?

Graphic Arts Information Network (GAIN)
http://www.gain.net/

Lots of info about career paths in computer graphics.

pelican-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by pelican-ga on 10 Jan 2003 18:29 PST

Another website that may be of interest:

Communication Arts Network
http://www.commarts.com/

Can I do any additional searching for you?

pelican-ga

Hello knute-ga,

First, congratulations to your son (and you) on his graduation from a
prestigious university and a prestigious program. I recently did a
research project for someone who is applying to UCSD so I recognized
the (IT)2 program.

https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=113537
University of California- San Diego's 6 colleges

I feel some frustration in your question about how to help your son
with finding a job. I’d like to add some comments to help you help
him. I think you’re definitely on the right track in trying to
identify sources of help, including a career counselor – and not just
because I’m a career counselor myself.

Finding a job in today’s economy requires some specific knowledge of
the process of job search. Since it is likely that your son will have
to look for jobs many times in the future, it’s important to learn
career management skills as he launches his career. Fortunately all
colleges and universities offer extensive services to their students
and alumni. I highly recommend that your son take advantage of the
wide array of services offered by the UCSD Career Center.

http://career.ucsd.edu/
The staff at the Career Center is likely to be familiar with local
conditions and help your son get familiar with career opportunities as
well as offer him the opportunity to complete his self-assessment and
learn about job search techniques. It is important that your son learn
how to manage his career because it is highly probable that he will
have many jobs in his lifetime and may have to change careers along
the way. I applaud your efforts to support him in his search but also
recommend that you encourage him to do it for himself. It’s the
principle of “teach him to fish” instead of “give him a fish.”
http://career.ucsd.edu/sa/wi03pdf/tougheconomy.pdf
The flyer for a program on Finding a Job in a Tough Economy that will
be offered on 1/13/03 might be helpful.

Now, let’s look at his situation. It’s important for him to be aware
of the things that interest him and make him happy. Doing the formal
self-assessment through the career center would help with this, but he
could also do it informally. Why did he choose UCSD, the specific
college (I assume he’s in Sixth College) and the particular major he
completed? It’s possible that his goals were vague. I’d help him
verbalize what are the things he enjoyed the most in his college
experience. Help him to identify projects that he found satisfying and
interesting. The clearer he is about his strenghts and
accomplishments, the more comfortable he will feel in interview
situations. Most young people are not very familiar with jobs and the
job market. Help him to explore the world of work and to identify
companies and industries where his skills and interests would be a
good fit. As he starts his career, I’d suggest that he look for
companies that will give him the opportunity to learn and grow and
build a good foundation in technical knowledge and social competence.

You indicate that he’s smart, talented and a “little shy.” Since most
jobs are found through personal connections, I’d encourage him to
explore the world of work first by reading about companies that
interest him (for whatever reason) and then try to find people who
work for those companies in any capacity. I recommend that he try to
articulate what he’s looking for and ask everyone for help on
connecting with people and companies who know anything about those
topics. This is classic networking and is the best source for finding
jobs any time – and especially in a tough economy. The clearer your
son is about what turns him on, the more likely he will be able to
find people who share his interests and enthusiasms and the more
likely that he will be able to tap into the hidden job market.

http://jobstar.org/sd/index.cfm
JobStar is a wonderful service from the California Public Libraries
and they have a special section for San Diego job resources. This
might also be worth exploring.

I would also take a look at how to maximize graduating from the
Cal-(IT)2 program.
http://www.calit2.net/
You didn’t specify your son’s major and it looks like the program
offers participation in a variety of leading edge technology
initiatives. It might be worthwhile to explore finding a job with one
of the many corporate partners.
http://www.calit2.net/industry/index.html

You didn’t mention if your son has had any internships or work
experience during his school years. These could help him identify
working situations and environments that he prefers or wants to avoid.
He needs to identify what skills, experience, and qualities he
possesses that will make him desirable to his targeted employers. The
more he knows about himself and them, the more likely he will be able
to stand out from the crowd. If at all possible, he should try to make
personal connections instead of coming in on a tide of resumes.

Fortunately, there are lots of resources on the Web to help recent
grads. Help him explore them and encourage him to share his
explorations with you. You can then support his efforts without doing
the work for him.

Here are some resources that might be helpful. 

=========================== 
JOB MARKET FOR RECENT GRADS 
=========================== 
http://www.jobweb.com/joboutlook/default.htm 
http://www.resume.com/content/times/re-newsletters.html 
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/work/articles/011105/5young.htm 
http://www.businesstoday.org/current/cover-intro.html 
http://www.quintcareers.com/senior_success_strategies.html 
 
========================================== 
GENERAL RESOURCES FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADS 
========================================== 
http://www.collegejournal.com/ 
http://www.monstertrak.com/ 
http://www.campuscareercenter.com 
http://www.quintcareers.com/gradres.html 
http://www.collegegrad.com/ 
http://www.jobweb.com/ 

Good luck to you and your son for launching a successful career.

czh

Hello,

I'm Knute's son, Christopher. You can view my resume and web based
portfolio at http://www.christopherberg.net

This should answer any questions you might have about internships,
experience, etc. I currently have a job in the videogame industry at
Midway in San Diego. I have worked there as a tester for 6 months and
was recently promoted to a goto Technical Standards Analyst for
"Mortal Kombat 5: Deadly Alliance". I have tried to promoted myself
within the company, but the industry is unstable. Recently there were
130 layoffs in my dept, but I survived. I am trying for a entry level
programming (jr. programmer) or a level designer or jr. artist
position. I have studied both and have a year's worth of
non-commercial game experience working for the Director of C.R.C.A.
(UCSD) and an associate professor at UCSD. We developed an multi-user
interactive environment for the Reuben H. Fleet museum. I also have IT
skills and experience, so it is not too late to pursue these skills as
well. I do prefer to be creative and I currently enjoy working on 3D
art for my portfolio. My programming experience comes from UCSD, but I
need more help in order to move into commercial game design. I am
currently stuck as a tester, but recently had an interview at Rockstar
Games for a testing position (a friend sent me the email address). I
am looking for any advice in order to gain a development position.
Please view my resume in order to give me some advice. Thank you.
Christopher