Technical Skills of Northeastern University's
	Computer and Information Science Students
		Fall 2005 and Spring 2006
Example of Skills Successfully Demonstrated During CO-OP periods
							% of Students Using Skill on Co-op
					Fl05&Sp06	Sp 2005	2004	2003	2002
Wrote small "pattern" programs less than 250 lines					63%	77%	53%	47%	48%
Wrote programs 250 lines or longer					48%	58%	42%	43%	43%
Wrote and/or coded programs and/or scripts of any type.					81%	38%	63%	61%	65%
Troubleshooting					99%	95%	86%	92%	90%
Used algorithmic analysis					38%	31%	42%	28%	28%
Provided software installation support					73%	80%	65%	72%	77%
Provided hardware installation support					44%	50%	48%	49%	58%
Provided systems security and protection knowledge					40%	41%	41%	40%	39%
Provided human factors support					N/A	N/A	56%	48%	57%
Provided graphic, visualization and multimedia skills					58%	51%	45%	39%	41%
Provided intelligent systems skills					41%	40%	44%	33%	43%
Provided information management knowledge					N/A	N/A	59%	53%	58%
Provided network administration and communication skills					49%	55%	48%	51%	54%
Overall Performance Fall 2005 and Spring 2006
¨ Overall Performance: How well the students met the employers expectations
		The rating scale:
		Did Not Meet		Approaching		Meeting		Exceeding
		Expectations		Expectations		Expectations		Expectations
		1%		7%		28%		64%
What the numbers mean.  Sample of the scoring scale used by employers to evaluate skills:
	Beginning Skills			Developing Skills			Proficient Skills
	N/A 0 1 2			3  4  5  6			7  8  9  10
Analytical Skills:
¨ Problem Solving:The ability to recognize and define problems, analyze data, develop and implement
		solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
	Student Skill Level:				7.31	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.52	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
¨ Critical Thinking: The ability to question logically: to identify, generate and evaluate the elements of
		logical argument: to recognize and differentiate facts, illusions, assumptions,
		and hidden assumptions: and to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant.
	Student Skill Level:				7.25	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.47	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
Work Specific Skills
¨ Work Content/Technical Skill Acquisition: The ability to demonstrate an ability to acquire the
		computing skills necessary for the specific work environment.
	Student Skill Level:				7.63	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.52	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
¨ Information Literacy: The ability to understand and use computer technology as a form of
		communication and an information resource.
	Student Skill Level:				7.69	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.55	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
¨ Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact effectively with other professionals and
		clients/consumers and deal effectively with cultural and ethnic diversity issues.
	Student Skill Level:				7.36	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.56	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
¨ Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively (i.e. speaking, body language,
		reading, writing and listening) for varied audiences and purposes.
	Student Skill Level:				7.14	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.52	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
¨ Teamwork: The ability to work effectively in groups toward common goals and needs.
	Student Skill Level:				7.62	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.67	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
Personal Conduct and Management Skills
¨ Dependability and Professionalism: The ability to exhibit appropriate professional conduct and
		to represent professionals and employers effectively.
	Student Skill Level:				7.54	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.69	expected performance
								scoring scale
								Proficient Skills
								7  8  9  10
								Developing Skills
								3  4  5  6
¨ Effective Use of Time/Resources: The ability to be organized, set priorities well, be productive
	and obtain the maximum benefit from a minimum investment of time and resources.
	Student Skill Level:				7.29	actual performance score
	Skill/Job Expectation Level:				6.62	expected performance