OSRA Technological Solutions for Business

Organizational & End-user Information Systems

Curriculum Model

Internship in Organizational & End-user Information Systems

Course Description

This course is designed to provide the senior-level student an opportunity to assist with the planning and implementation of computing technologies in an approved on-campus site or an approved off-campus site. Students may perform information systems trainer/consultant and/or end-user support duties. Students will meet periodically with the instructor to discuss problems and issues relevant to the area of managing microcomputer information systems. Compensation may or may not be granted for the internship/practicum. Prerequisites: Senior standing in OEIS Concentration and prior permission of instructor.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Develop career goals and specific objectives in chosen profession
Establish an understanding of the roles of employees and how they fit into these roles.
Maintain a written journal of the experiences that surfaced in work-related activities during the term, citing specific experiences dealing with problems (technical and/or organizational), criticism, individual differences, and cultural biases.
Compile an internship portfolio that includes the following items: current resume, a piece of literature from the employing company, an organizational chart of the company or department, a picture of the physical setting, any diplomas or certificates earned, two letters of reference, examples of completed work such as a self-designed computer printout or training manual.

Course Approach

An internship or cooperative work experience could be offered toward the end of the undergraduates' program of study. Supervised by a faculty member, this work experience provides an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in OEIS environments. Ideally, student interns will be assigned special projects or work as interns under the direction of professionals in the OEIS area. The nature of the internship should be outlined at the outset of the students' employment. No specific topics/modules are included here; however, to provide a quality experiential learning arrangement, the following guidelines are suggested:

Students should work a minimum of ten hours a week in an approved setting during the regular semester or a minimum of 20 hours a week during the summer term.
Students should work under the immediate supervision of a person who is familiar with the area of information technology, end-user computing support, training, microcomputing technology and/or other related information system areas.
Periodic class meetings--on campus--should be scheduled for information exchange. Students should be evaluated by both their supervisor and a faculty member during the semester in which they are enrolled. The performance evaluation should be based upon planned experiences, job responsibilities, expected results and established measurement criteria.

Resources

Bronner, M. (1986). Business and education: The sound of one hand clapping? Office Systems Research Journal, 5(1), 37-40.

Yane, R. (1993). Supervising interns effectively. Nonprofit World, 34-35.

The OSRA Curriculum Revision Group

page design by Preston Lathrop
last revised: December 23, 1996