Thread: Computer Science Degree but no experience. What to do?

I haven't obtained my degree yet, but this is the situation im looking at and it's really bothering me. I would hate to have wasted 5 years of my life working so hard to obtain this comp sci degree and not be able to get a job . I've tried to get co-ops and internships but I haven't had any luck. I graduate may 07 and it is looking like I will graduate without any job experience. This is scaring me because my gpa is not that great. I have a 3.0 gpa for all my comp sci. courses and a 2.65 accumalative. What are my options? What is a way to go about getting unpaid internships to help gain some experience? Paid internships are easy to find (yet hard to obtain) but I have yet to have seen opportunities for unpaid. Anybody else been in this situation? This is kind of depressing me. Any help, suggestions, or encouragement will go a long way.

What area are you in? In a good area like D.C. you could find something for sure.

im in the midwest. St. Louis, Missouri.

hmm, good luck, I don't know what the IT industry in St. Louis is like but I've never heard anyone talk about it. You may need to consider moving to where the action is. Also some companies look for people right out of college. I know that Google and MS look for people right out of masters computer science programs.

Program computer games. All you need is a comp sci OR experience. Check out listings at www.gamasutra.com or www.gamedev.net

If that's your cup of tea, and I can't for the life of me see why it wouldn't be.