CS U223 Computer/Information Science Cooperative Education Preparation Course (1 SH)

This course is part of preparation for the co-op process, which is mandatory for all CCIS students. Since the long-term goal of co-op is to prepare students for the working world, the instructors' standards for grading will be based, in part, on the standards of the working world. Therefore, students are expected to attend every class, and to be punctual. Homework, when assigned, is expected to be submitted on time and to have a professional appearance. Accommodations can be made for deadlines in some cases, but only if students discuss this with the instructors in advance. Teamwork and occasional presentations will be required. Prepares transfer students and graduate students into Computer and Information Science for COOP through topics such as ethics, privacy, security, responsibility, and intellectual property.  Exposes students to popular industry technologies. To participate in COOP, students must take either CSU222 or CSU223.

Intended for Computer and Information Science transfer students, graduate students, students planning to transfer to CCIS from other internal colleges and/or CCIS undergraduates who missed or failed CSU222. Successful completion of this course is mandatory for any CCIS students wishing to participate in co-op.

No textbook. Materials provided on-line and/or issued by instructors.

Co-op Preparation Managing the co-op process Resume and cover letters Interviewing Student Panel Employer Project Using the Co-op database First formal (mock) interview Professional preparation Career exploration Professionalism and ethics Expectations of employers, co-op faculty, and students The state of the job market Conducting job searches Identifying organizational cultures Understanding personality traits for best fit with an organization. Issues of concern to the transfer student and graduate student, i.e. credit requirements to co-op; determining when co-op will start, planning ones curriculum sequence.

Upon completion of this course, a student should: Be aware of the College of Computer and Information Science and Northeastern University’s resources and opportunities. Have a clearer understanding of the co-op learning model: The Preparation Cycle, The Co-op Activity, and Reflection Cycle. Understand the options/possibilities that exist within the computer and information science field. Understand how to begin the co-op search process. Students will have a professional looking resume to present to employers. All students will have experienced a mock interview with professional assessment of their presentation

The course outcomes will be measured and verified by: Graded attendance and required punctuality, which serves as both professional preparation and a means of assessing student adjustment. Class group/team exercises in creating and assessing the information and quality of a resume.

Structured preparation for the co-op search and an introduction to the ILM objective: Career Management and Professional Development Preparation of a professional resume Understanding of how to apply techniques for effective interviewing Understanding of how to set and describe professional goals and objectives Understanding of how to apply the job searching skills Understanding of what are professional presence, demeanor, and attitude Introduction to different organizational structures Introduction to the breadth of the field of computing

2 of 2 CSU223 Computer/Information Science Co-op Preparation Course