Why take an Work Experience course? 
Read the PDF article from CompTIA regarding internships.  In the beginning of the article it states:

"IT careers are "hands-on," and gaining real-world experience gives you an advantage over other entry-level IT professionals. One of the best ways to gain experience is through an internship." 

Draw your own conclusions.

CIS267 Directed Work Experience  [back]
For students:  This course provides work experience for students seeking experience in computer science or information systems.  Students must:

  • Have completed 12 units toward a Cuyamaca College CIS Department degree or certificate program. 
  • Attend the CIS267 program orientation held the semester prior to the course being offered.
  • Work 5 hours per week per unit taken in a paid assignment or 4 hours per week per unit taken in an unpaid assignment for each hour of credit. 
  • Create a training plan which will include their occupational goals and objectives for the directed work experience. 
  • Prepare a resume related to the field in which they desire a work experience.
  • Prepare a list of all classes taken at Cuyamaca College and other campuses.
  • Attend the mandatory orientation meeting during the semester prior to the start of the work experience class.
  • Seek a work experience site.  The instructor may have a few sites, but you will be responsible for locating your own site that is willing to provide you a work experience program.
  • For more information contact the instructor.

During the semester students will be evaluated by their work supervisor and the instructor.  Two meetings will be held during the semester to evaluate the student's progress in attaining their training goals. 

For employers:  Students are seeking meaningful work on real projects.  They are granted college credit for completing the requisite number of hours per unit satisfactorily.  What do you need to do to participate in the program?

  • Contact the instructor with your intern requirements (what skills are you looking for) prior to the beginning of the semester.  Semesters begin in mid-January and mid-August. 
  • Provide meaningful work on real projects.
  • Sign a "no harm" contract with the college stating that you will provide the student with meaningful work on projects that will meet their training goals and that the college will cover the student for insurance purposes.
  • Evaluate the student at the end of the semester. 
  • Whether or not you pay the student is up to you.  Most do.  Some don't.
  • Just because the semester ends doesn't mean the student has to stop working for you.  It just means that the student is no longer covered by the college for insurance purposes.  Many companies have kept the student as an intern well beyond the end of the semester.
  • If you have problems with the student please contact the instructor.