Team Project: Eric Bradstreet, Selena Miller, Mae Worcester, and Rob McCaslin

Eric Bradstreet

Email [email protected]

Dear Marianne Stienhacker,

I want to thank for your confidence in acquiring our services. I have interviewed the key managers responsible for handling the information of the internship program at UMA. I am pleased to report that we can assist you in developing an information system that will be practical for years to come.

The forth-coming outline has addressed the concerns of those interviewed: The outline is a basis from which the discovery and design phase can begin. More in-depth information will be needed to properly implement an information system of this nature.

The new system may require training and workshops for faculty and internship coordinators.

Our Information Team looks forward to working with your organization.

EB

It is with great appreciation that I am able to bring forth this presentation. I would like to thank all those who have contributed in making this possible.

First: To Instructor: John H. Gregory and team members who have contributed to this project, Selena Miller, Mae Worcester, and Rob McCaslin.

Second: To the staff and faculty at UMA, Marianne Stienhacker (Dean of CIS), Brenda Macalair (Informal intern Coordinator), Ed Hodgdon (CIS instructor and Advisor), and Nick Orousoff (CIS Coordinator). It is through the help of those above that I have the ability to present this proposal: Intern Information System at University of Maine at Augusta

In order to stay competitive in today�s institutional environments we must harness technology advancements and keep pace with them. Information Systems play a very intricate role in the credibility of any organization. Colleges must maintain diligence in these areas. Maintaining creditability must be on the forefront of the college�s agenda, while maintaining academic achievement. Staying on the cutting edge of technologies and relating this to the student: accomplishes this. It enhances their ability to adapt as the college adapts. It also gives them and advantage to become adaptable in work environments. The presentation forward paints a clear picture how Information Systems (I/S) can enhance both college and student

The presentation highlights: key issues involved in the hand out; the full version of the Intern I/S

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Internship Programs, also referred to as Cooperative Education are a part of universities throughout the world being found at the associates, baccalaureate and graduate levels.

Students, employers, and colleges that offer internship programs get a distinct edge on the competition. These three groups are partners in a successful academic program which is more relevant than ever in building the high performance workforce of the twenty-first century.

Internship Programs are a structured educational strategy integrating classroom studies with learning through productive work experiences in a field related to a student�s academic or career goals. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice. These programs are a partnership among students, educational institutions and employers. Some of the employer benefits and roles are:

• Developing a job description and criteria for eligibility
• Reviewing resumes and conducting interviews to select
students
• Finalizing agreement on responsibilities, pay and work schedule with the student
• Providing a work experience related to a student�s career or academic field

College/University Benefits:
• Assists in recruitment and retention of students
• Expands the range of educational opportunities for students by integrating learning at the workplace into the academic program
• Improves student and faculty access to state-of-art equipment and technology by using the workplace as a laboratory extension of the classroom

• Keeps college curricula up-to-date with changes in industry through constant input from the employment sector

   

  Student Benefits:

  • Confirms or redirects career decision-making through on-the- job experience in a chosen field
  • Enhances affordability of college through employer-paid wages
  • Teaches valuable job-search skills such as career assessment, resume, writing and interviewing techniques
  • Encourages completion of college for all students-from top performers to traditionally non-college bound students by linking school to work and by providing access to earnings

  MIS BACKGROUND

  The University of Maine - Augusta has a limited internship program. In order to have an internship program for the CIS studies, an information system (I/S) must be designed and implemented.

  After interviewing several key University staff, it was determined there is no I/S in one place at this time. We will need to begin from ground zero. The internship coordinator, Brenda McAleer stated " there is a lack of compiled information in one location". She would need to have a central location to enter data into the I/S for departments to access.

  • Student Accounts: The information for Intern Student is now compile manually (paper trail) and the handling of any one student is divided among the department of degree. Brenda McAleer assists in the coordination of internships.
  • Company Accounts: A list of companies participating in the internship program is all handled manually. Students do not have readily available access to this information. Finding the person responsible for this information is relied heavily on the faculty (student advisors).
  
  
  

  Organizations Problems and Information assets

  Problems:

  • Information about internship programs scattered
  • Information has no central place
  • Each department has trouble connecting students with organization for hire
  • Updating information is time consuming
  • Files on students in the internship program are hard to locate
  • Tracking student�s progress is time consuming for faculty and student
  • Organization contracted with university, their information is not global within the university
  • A spike in admission could overwhelm the system in place now

  Assets:

  • The information software is in place
  • Access 2000 on most computer at university or in each department
  • Internship Structure underway
  • Resources for design
  • Students who are ready for CIS internships could design database as part of their internship
  • A graduate student could become team leader as part of his or her internship program
  • Advisor structure in place
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Page 2 Flow Chart, Goals, Objectives
    
    
  • Page 3 Alternative Solutions, Design Phase
    
    
  • Page 4 Cost Estimate