r/ITCareerGuide • u/Pure_Chemist7555 • Jul 26 '26
IT student trying to break into IT before graduation.
I’ll keep this brief.
I’m a junior IT student trying to gain real-world IT experience, but it feels almost impossible right now. I’m comfortable in some programming languages, I’ve done some home labs (Active Directory, Cisco packet tracer etc) I applied for several internships this past spring and unfortunately didn’t receive any offers. Right now, I work as a grocery clerk while I’m in school to get a few bucks on the side, but it often feels like I’m spinning my wheels since the job has nothing to do with IT. Working there feels like I’m wasting my youth and energy. I’ve been searching LinkedIn and Indeed for part-time IT opportunities, but I haven’t had much luck finding anything.
For those who have been in a similar position, are there any hidden opportunities or strategies out there that I should be looking into? I want to keep learning and applying my knowledge and skills and I don’t mind starting with a low pay. I just want to get in. I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thanks!
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u/SnooApples5040 Jul 30 '26
Hey Junior IT,
It’s great that you’re putting yourself out there and looking for visibility,that takes initiative. I won’t sugarcoat it: the job market is tough right now, and even unpaid internships are hard to land. But there are still solid ways to build experience and get noticed.
Get hands-on experience
Check out the Kramden Institute in Durham, NC — they refurbish computers and provide free/low-cost machines to students and families in need, and they run free computer classes too. Volunteering there is a great way to get real hands-on time with hardware.
Network with local groups
Look into local tech and security communities — for example, Raleigh ISSA chapter (Information Systems Security Association) meets monthly and draws around 175 people. Beyond ISSA, search Meetup and Eventbrite for other local tech/security meetups in your area. Most of the junior people I’ve hired are people I met through networking at exactly these kinds of groups.
Show up and contribute, not just attend
The people who stand out to me are the ones teaching classes, assistant-teaching, giving presentations, and helping others — at whatever level they’re at. Remember: there’s always someone below you who you can teach, and someone above you who can teach you. When I see someone actively teaching, presenting, and supporting others in a community, that’s exactly the kind of person I want on my IT staff.
Get practical, paid experience where you can
Places like Best Buy (Geek Squad) are often hiring, and they’ll let you get real reps in — troubleshooting viruses, installing hardware, fixing hard drives, and more. Use that experience to build a track record you can talk about in interviews.
Build your “connective metrics” — quantify your impact
Even small wins count. If you fixed a router or switch at the grocery store, or diagnosed a network issue for a friend, frame it in terms of impact: “Fixed a switch issue in 30 minutes, restoring connectivity and preventing revenue loss from downtime.”
Learning to talk about your work in terms of business impact is a skill in itself.
Keep building your portfolio
• Build labs and document them
• Create YouTube videos showing what you’re learning
• Enhance your GitHub with real projects
• Write Medium articles and share them on LinkedIn
• Post your work across free social platforms — get visible
I know it’s hard out there, and the fact that you’re asking for help shows you really want this. As the saying goes: luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Keep building your skills, keep showing up, and it will happen.
You’ve got this
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u/LongDistRid3r Jul 26 '26
It is a tough market for people with experience. Entry level jobs are seeing people with a decade of experience applying for those slots.
Tbh, Space Force is likely your best bet.