Possibly the best leg up for the MIS major is an internship. The goal is two-fold with the intent toward being as useful for the student as it is for the organization. Internship programs offer participating students the opportunity to gain professional skills and experience from real-world situations while combining in-class theory. It is the mutual expectation that students will be better prepared for a successful MIS career. Among those internship programs offered at a particular institution of learning, it is best to focus on those that are more of a co-op in order to attain the closest to an entry level experience.
Overview of the Internship
The typical intern program is a summer offering lasting three months. Interns will work within the organizational dynamics gaining first-hand knowledge and experience in IT-enabled initiatives and strategies leading to executing effective program management. No class simulation can mimic as closely the real-world experience like an internship.
Opportunities
Although a co-op may exist, the actual demands of the business prevail, which means opportunities can vary. Some of the specific responsibilities may include:
- Web design and Web programming
- Work with functioning business areas to facilitate Web use, including development and publishing
- Software inventory maintenance
- Software application support
- Coordinating and executing plans for systems implementation
- Assisting in application design, programming, configuration and support as per program specifications
- Performing applicable testing to ensure successful implementation
- Troubleshooting production problems
- Data analysis to develop business models for the purpose of communicating information systems application needs
- Documenting program coding, logic and ongoing modifications
The intern is exposed to the same variables that make a real work environment one that presents a complete spectrum of experiences, including the interpersonal ones. It is wise to take on these short months with an eagerness to grow and understand as opposed to falling into negative pitfalls such as boredom and strife. There really is not enough time to allow these aspects to interfere with the goal. In the process, individuals capable of maintaining focus will emerge stronger and more qualified. Recording the specific negatives affords the opportunity to drill down and filter out the more important positives. Proactive solutions and creative contribution grows a mature candidate who has learned to collaborate, exchange ideas and partner for more meaningful outcomes.
The Give and Take
The intern’s interviewing process is no different than that of applying for the job. It is foremost a conversation allowing both parties to get a feel for whether or not it seems like a good fit. Asking questions allows the candidate to interview the potential work place. A successful internship will have a structured format allowing for either a specific project or a series of assignments that will run the duration of the time spent.
For the organization, they will have invested in cost-effective hiring without risking the long-term commitment while fulfilling short-term staffing needs. At the same time, they benefit from an enthusiastic participant possessing fresh eyes and the latest techniques. For students, the opportunity to work alongside professionals inside the four walls without risking the long-term commitment changes the initial exposure. When you add the benefit of practical application with classroom theory, the valuable network of future contacts to fall back on and the unique opportunity to showcase talents, it is clear the best internship is the one the intern makes their level best of.
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