The news floods everyone with numbers of how many people received unemployment benefits or what major company laid-off thousands of workers. There are many adults who have not had to job search in over 20 years. These adults are accustomed to using newspaper advertisements, pounding the pavement, networking, and need to be updated on job searching 2.0.This is a good time to ask younger people in your family for help with new technology and the latest internet job searching tools. One example of a young person using various sites to market his strengths and land opportunities is still a junior in high school attending Wesleyan Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. When I first saw Alesandro Ortiz's name on Twitter, The_PHP_Jedi, my first thought went to Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Knight from Star Wars. I decided to interview him because he has an account with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and has his own site.

CIMA: Why the name The PHP Jedi?

Alesandro: PHP can be classified as a type of computer language. It's commonly used in Websites to make them dynamic (show custom/updated information). Oh, and PHP stands for PHP Hypertext Processor. My nickname was inspired by Dana Hanna's nickname, TheSoftwareJedi. He's a .NET developer known for his project AnAppADay he executed a few years ago. And since at that point (when I met him through his project) I was relatively experienced with PHP, and had decided to focus on that, I changed my nick one day and I've kept using it since.

CIMA: How did you become familiar with the different social sites like Twitter, Facebook, and most of all LinkedIn?

Alesandro: I learned about Facebook simply through school friends. Most of my mates were using it back when I signed up in April 2007, although I didn't really understand the point or value of social networking at that time. I also created my Twitter account in March 2007, although I didn't begin using it frequently until February 2008. I probably learned about both Twitter and LinkedIn through either Digg or Slashdot (I've stopped reading the former for a while), or some other resource. I must say I definitely learned to value social networks, particularly Twitter for making new contacts, both personal and business, and Facebook for maintaining personal contacts. Although I've recently just begun using LinkedIn frequently, it's also a great tool for potential employers to look at your experience and such at a glance.

CIMA: When did you build your site?

Alesandro: I built (if one could even call it "building" back then) my first public website when I was in 5th grade, about 6 years ago (I've honestly lost track of specific milestones, but it's probably around that time). My current website's first iteration, under the name ThePHPJedi.com, was built in September 2008 if I'm not mistaken.

CIMA: Can you describe the process you use to win projects?

Alesandro: For the most part, it's been word of mouth and involvement within an organization that has won me projects. For example, I created a Website for a company whom I participated with in a special summer program. They learned about my Web Development and entrepreneurship skills, and I was offered the job at the end of the program. The current process is more or less simply coming up with solutions to problems and makes things easier for users. Many of my recent projects that I mentioned and others that are listed on my website is the product of pure necessity. In some cases, I partner with others so they handle the site's graphical design, user interface, marketing, or other aspect (particularly since I'm not very good at design). Also, some of the ideas are suggestions by mates who then become my partners on the project, if I deem the project to have potential. I'm not using the traditional route of presenting proposals, or applying to a regular position.

CIMA: How are you building your personal and professional network?

Alesandro: Definitely "stalking" fellow Web Developers and people in related fields through Twitter has been great for finding other Web Developers for my professional network, as well as people interested in technology (particularly Twittericans), like myself, for my personal network. IRC has also been another invaluable tool for networking abroad. I've met countless contacts through programming channels, company channels, etc. Once I got my Twitter profile I started gaining followers regularly almost by it, I simply followed those developers who had first found and followed me. Recently I've been getting tons (almost literally) of followers because I'm first on Twitter's user search for "PHP". Many people who have just joined Twitter and develop (or want to learn) PHP tend to follow me, since I'm first in those results. Otherwise, for those who find me through other methods; have probably followed me because of my bio and updates (they get somewhat humorous at times). And who doesn't want to follow a Jedi? I've also received job offers through Twitter, from other users who want to create Web Apps for their company/startup, and fellow Web Developers who need a hand with a project. Some have followed me just for that sole purpose. I was honestly surprised when I received my first offers through Twitter. I didn't expect it at all.

CIMA: What advice would you give to adults who are not focused on a career choice?

Alesandro: I'd just advise to just try a career that involves everything they've loved in life, particularly as a teen. If you didn't like the "obvious" career choice that went along your passions, try related fields (such as my love for creating, but not being creative enough for Graphic/Web Design, so I went to Web Development). If none of the related fields whet your taste buds, try freelancing and doing your own things. Perhaps while freelancing, you'll find exactly what you love, whether its in the same industry or a completely different industry. And hey, you may potentially even create a new career/industry that combines your passions! It's just a matter of finding a way to make them work for you and your pocket. If you aren't sure at all about what you'd like to do, just try everything that you encounter. I hadn't a clue I liked Web Development until I actually started doing it, despite always having an interest in computers.

Alesandro is networking with adults on a local and international level, marketing his personal brand, and landing opportunities to add to his experience as a freelancer in a field he likes. His site is his on-line portfolio or resume that will keep expanding as the years go by. He is doing everything adults should be doing before they become unemployed. It is never too late to start creating your on-line presence, networking, or learning about the tools available for job searching. As adults we need to be inspired by young people like Alesandro.

To view Alesandro's sites click on the links below:

ThePHPJedi.com
Slexy.org
Twitter Profile
Linkedin Profile