Today, there are a host of web sites that one can use to look for a job. Below is a list of some of the most popular web sites used to find jobs today.

• Dice.com - IT jobs by city
• ComputerJobs.com
• Monster.com
• Yahoo Hotjobs
• JobCentral.com
• CollegeRecruiter.com
• CareerBuilder.com
• Michigan Career Builder
• Career Builder IT Jobs
• Job.com
• Career.com
• TrueCareers.com
• Indeed.com
• Net-Temps.com
• America's Job Bank
• Best Jobs in the USA

Another place to look for a job while in college is on-campus. There are several types of positions at Henry Ford Community College where one can obtain IT-related work experience. These include:

• CIS Department or Technology Division - Co-Op or Work Study position. The responsibilities of these positions have varied from working as proctors in the CIS computer lab to web site development.
• CIS Department T-194 Computer Lab - Co-Op position. CIS Computer Lab Co-Ops monitor, maintain and assist students in the T-194 computer lab.
• CIS Department T-194 Computer Lab - Lab Consultant position. Lab Consultants perform many of the same duties as Lab Co-Ops, but have more responsibility of the lab, its opening, closing. The experience, education and pay are also higher for Lab Consultants.
• Data and Voice (IT) Department Co-Op Tech Support. These positions most closely resemble non-College IT experience. Co-Ops for the College IT/Data and Voice Department typically work as either PC Technicians or Programmers. Applicants must have completed a minimum number of CIS credits to apply.

Side jobs and project-based contract work can be an excellent way to build skills, earn extra money, and develop a portfolio, and acquire experience for future jobs. Before wide-spread use of the Internet and Web, side work was obtained locally through word of mouth and traditional advertising. Now, with the help of freelancing web sites, one can look for side work and project-based contracts around the world.

Some of these sites require that freelancers create an account and build a portfolio that lists such information as their skills, experience, development philosophy and process, minimum compensation rate, and post sample work and references. Prospective clients may also create an account before they post projects. Depending on the site, clients may then post details and specifications about their project and freelancers bid on these projects. Similar to auction web sites, both parties can also "rate" each other on the basis of quality of work, professionalism, and timeliness of project completion or payment of services.

The type of projects available for freelance work is enormous. They include: web design, web programming, database development, Windows programming, graphic design, logo creation, brochure and business card development, technical writing, language translation, photography, video production, development of education and training material, and administrative support. These sites provide an excellent opportunity to for aspiring and experienced web professionals to build a portfolio and earn an income.

Several popular freelancing web sites include:

• http://www.rentacoder.com
• ttp://odesk.com/
• http://www.guru.com
• http://www.scriptlance.com/
• http://www.elance.com
• http://www.ifreelance.com/
• www.php-freelancers.com
• http://www.getafreelancer.com/
• http://www.freelancedesigners.com/

Research has consistently shown that networking is the most effective way of finding a job (more than Internet/Web job posting searches) and is also another way to pick up experience. The following Kiplinger article (web site | PDF) contains a great deal of valuable information about finding a job. Below is a list of excellent opportunities for professional networking that may let to either side jobs to gain IT experience or full-time employment.

• User Groups and Professional Organizations. A small sample of examples include:
  • World Organization or Webmasters
  • Southeastern Michigan Oracle Professionals
  • Association of Information Technology Professionals
  • SouthEast Michigan ACM SIGGRAPH (SEMAFX).
• College Alumni Associations.
• College Student Clubs. Examples include:
  • HFCC Web Design and Development Club
  • HFCC Criminal Justice Club, and the HFCC Future Teachers Association.

  All HFCC student clubs can be viewed here.

• College Internships.
• College Fraternities, sororities, and just keeping in touch with college acquaintances in your major.

Look for volunteer opportunities that will allow you to use and demonstrate your skills and build resume experience. PC troubleshooting and repair, web design and development, networking, application programming, multimedia development, and computer training are all services many organizatons could use assistance with. Law firms, churches, schools, physican/doctor offices, and landscaping businesses are but a few possible types of companies and orgnizations who have such needs. A lot of small businesses would appreciate such volunteer work.