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Internships are often omitted from or put-off until late in some students' programs of study. Some academics are reluctant to accept the academic legitimacy of applied work programs, thus cooperative education programs are not offered or encouraged in some curriculums. This study invited students finishing their internship experiences to reflect on the legitimacy of internships as a method to enhance their educational experience and to prepare students for careers as computing professionals. The student subjects in this research were all computing majors (Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications). Results reported in this study are based on two data collection methods. Fixed format scaled responses from a small sample (N=70) were used to gather and analyze description statistics of graduating interns' perceptions. In addition, open format responses were evaluated, coded and summarized from a corresponding sample. Student responses were strongly favorable concerning their internship experiences. Most students described the internship as a great experience that had a major impact on their learning and on their understanding of real world issues and environments. Respondents overwhelmingly recommended that other students get involved in cooperative education opportunities, preferably early within their major program of study. (Author)

Internships are often put off until late in some students' programs of study. Furthermore, some academics are said to be reluctant to accept the legitimacy of applied work programs and thus cooperative education programs are not offered in some curriculums. This study invited students finishing their internship experiences to reflect on the legitimacy of internships as a method to prepare students for careers as computing professionals. The student subjects in this research were all computing majors (Computer Science, Information Systems, Telecommunications). The results reported in this study are based on two data collection methods. Fixed format scaled responses from a small sample were used to gather and analyze description statistics of graduating interns' perceptions. In addition, open format responses were evaluated, coded, and summarized from a larger super-set sample. Student responses were strongly favorable concerning their internship experiences. Most students described the internship as a great experience that had a major impact on their learning and on their understanding of real world issues and environments. Surveyed students overwhelmingly recommended that other students get involved in cooperative education opportunities. (Author)

Hiring is an enormous challenge in today's Information Systems (IS) organizations due to the heavy demand for graduating students. This paper reports on a study to determine what factors IS students consider important in evaluating potential employers. Initially using an open ended survey approach, 28 upper level IS students were asked to identify what job preference factors were important to them in selecting companies and jobs. Factors identified in the initial open-ended survey were then analyzed and consolidated into common ideas; common ideas were translated into survey statements and combined with statements extracted from the job motivation literature to formulate survey items for a second closed-format survey. The survey results show graduating IS students most prefer a work environment that involves fun, self-gratifying work in a friendly environment. They primarily target jobs that provide growth, learning, and professional development opportunities, and jobs that provide opportunities to work with leading edge, emerging technologies. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/AEF)