Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Web Hosting Lounge : Internships within web hosting industry?

[Anky]

Outside of a person's own business, how can someone gain more experience in the hosting industry?

I'm a student at Purdue and have been wondering how to go about approaching this. I will be at HostingCon and hope to meet as many people as possible so that will definitely help.

Note: I couldn't think of where to post this so I posted it here, if it should go somewhere else, please feel free to move it.

[Ronald_Craft]

Well, the employment request section of this forum is a good start. Post your experiences, what you're looking for and when you can work. Generally, if someone is interested in taking you in they'll get in touch with you after that.

[redcell1]

I was wondering the same thing lol

[ub3r]

Learn linux/unix stuff, and do some free work until you're finally respected. Then start working commercially, and eventually you'll be known everywhere.

[-p9-]

Wondering ......... Doesn't it cause an interest conflict ?

[portalplanet]

Well I was going to post something meaningful but then I saw your signature for Cernax Hosting apparently you don't need an internship you're already running a successful hosting company.

Justin

[Anky]

Originally Posted by ub3r

Learn linux/unix stuff, and do some free work until you're finally respected. Then start working commercially, and eventually you'll be known everywhere.

That's a very narrow line of path - point is to prepare myself for something even larger in the future.

Originally Posted by Axe Solutions

Wondering ......... Doesn't it cause an interest conflict ?

I thought about that, and for some, yes. For others, it might not matter at all. All the companies that develop tools and resources for web hosts themselves could bring someone in to code. Datacenters could use an extra hand. There have got to be opportunities just like in any other industry.

Originally Posted by portalplanet

Well I was going to post something meaningful but then I saw your signature for Cernax Hosting apparently you don't need an internship you're already running a successful hosting company.

First, I'll take that partly as a compliment if it was intended that way

Second, while it might not seem like I need an internship, why would it be based on need? This is business. I would have something to offer and so would they. I want to get to know more people in the industry, get more involved, and set myself up for something in the future. I have plans to go for an MBA once I finish my CS degree here at Purdue and would like to do my best to ensure that things work out.

I have a good bit of experience and knowledge that I can bring to the table and so this is why I want to see how I can go further. I do have plenty of things on my to do list to keep me busy, that's not an issue, issue is just expanding on my current mindset and what I've been exposed to in a real life scenario.

[Anky]

Just so you guys know, I do want input on this - if you have any thoughts/comments, let me know.

[portalplanet]

I agree with the conflict of interest. I would not hire someone on to learn more knowing they're competing with my company in their off time. Knowing you may do something later is something any employer faces but doing it now while being an intern I would think most employers would have issues with.

In all interning to gain experience is a great way to learn any industry. Some job coaches tell would be entrepreneurs to work at a similar business prior to starting their own to gain experience or maybe just to see that the business is not as glamorous as it appears.

Justin

[CArmstrong]

Anky, you seem to have more experience and knowledge than an internship would usually imply. At least for me, I equate the word internship with little to no actual experience.

I agree that a conflict of interest is a potential issue, but aside from that what's stopping you from applying to companies as a regular part-time employee? Sure you're still in college but plenty of college students work part-time. It doesn't have to be an internship.