Using Collaboration to Provide Students with an Internship Experience in an Information Systems Course

This paper describes an instructional technique in an Information Systems course that provides students with actual work experience as part of an internship and/or apprenticeship assignment while completing additional course requirements. The course, Information Resource Management, provides students with a comprehensive overview of Information Systems and computer user support. Students are introduced to the spectrum of services provided to computer users and receive hands-on work experience at the college\u27s Help Desk. Students complete either a six-week internship or apprenticeship through a collaborative effort of faculty and personnel employed by the college. Students gain valuable work experience while the college utilizes student employees to assist with their scheduling gaps. Students benefit by using skills gained in the course and on the job to enhance their employment credentials