Hi,  ***answer needed within 12 hours ***
In my company we are about to recruit an IT graduate to write business
critical/time critical programs under supervision.
I am trying to persuade boss that we are better getting a professional
experienced consultant for a month or so to do the work.  I am looking
for convincing arguments that it is safer, more productive to hire
experience rather than graduates.

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 16 Jun 2004 15:45 PDT

Hello dewsbury-ga,

Are you saying that the two options you're considering are:

1) Hire a recent IT graduate as a full time employee who will handle
this project and then will continue to work for your company,

2) Hire a consultant to complete a project that you estimate will take
one month for someone who is experienced.

What is your budget? What is the project? How complex is it? Do
anticipate ongoing work for whoever completes this project?

The more you can tell me about your situation, the more likely I will
be able to get you what you need.

I look forward to your clarification.

~ czh ~

I also would be interested in the Clarification requested by czh-ga,
but here are some brief comments.

I'm wondering what the size of your IT group is like.  In a larger
group of developers (critical mass, to coin a phrase) the training of
a new recruit in the local traditions can be done at relatively low
cost and minimal disruption/risk to ongoing operations, because
there's almost always someone available to answer basic "how would I
do this" kinds of questions.

In a smaller group, or one which in any case lacks a coherent "local
tradition", the path from being a new recruit to being productive is
frought with risk.  Even a very bright talent may be wasted for weeks
at a time in efforts that ultimately contribute little to the critical
business needs, simply because time cannot be found to supervise and
mentor the new recruit.

Naturally some projects would be better suited than others to
absorbing a recent IT graduate, but I think you should be more willing
to hire an experienced consultant if your own pool of senior IT staff
is relatively small.

regards, mathtalk-ga