Re: a few questions

[Karen Kay <karenk -at- NETCOM -dot- COM>]

Lindamood, Brad said:
> The most important thing you need when you graduate is not the
> knowledge of a specific tool, but more the willingness to learn.
...
> Just approach it with the right attitude, and you'll have no problem
> convincing someone to give you an opportunity!

With all due respect, Brad, you are wrong. At least in my experience.
No one is interviewing *me* based on my willingness to learn. I taught
myself Japanese well enough to get a job teaching it in one of the
best programs in this country, and I've taught myself everything I
know about computers. Not enough. You *have* to have at least some
buzzwords on your resume to get through that door, and it's still hard
unless you have practical experience to go with that. I am a good
learner, and a good writer. I learned sensitivity to audience the hard
way, by giving talks to grade school kids and to senior citizens, as
well as at academic conferences. But none of this matters when it
comes to looking for a job as much as having those buzzwords and that
experience.

I don't resent this, but it *is* frustrating. I don't see any way
around it except to acquire that experience, slowly, piece-by-piece.

Karen
  karenk -at- netcom -dot- com