Types of Opportunities
Students can apply what they know and learn more in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. These activities can be categorized as follows.
Job
Students who apply their computer science skills in a job that is not mentored by a computing professional as a learning experience, but are simply employed in a CS job. There is nothing wrong with this type of activity; that's what we are preparing you for. Jobs in CS can be both part-time and full-time or be based on a consulting model. Many companies look for students to do production work with web implementation and database development. These jobs can be instructive but are not formally an internship. The goal of the computing programs is to graduate computing professionals capable of excelling in a career position.
Internship
An internship in computing through the Computer Science department is an extra-curricular learning experience done under the supervision of a computing professional at a business/government location. Internship are generally full-time, paid positions that engage a student during the summer and can continue on a part-time basis during the academic year. Internships do not often have benefits other than a paycheck. Qualifications for internships vary, but students generally complete their freshmen and sophomore level courses in CS, CIS and DI before applying. A transcript notation can be obtained if the internship is documented through the Career Center.
Co-Op
There are currently no co-op positions being offered to students through the CS department. Co-ops generally require a student work alternate semesters working full-time then studying full-time. Co-ops achieve the same goals as internships in CS because they are both mentored by a professional in the discipline and are paid. Because graduation is delayed by one or more semesters, the lose of professional salary is sited by some as a detraction.
Service Learning
An activity in which students apply what they know to help others or organizations without payment. An unpaid CS job.
Research Assistant
Working in a research lab or on a research project in computing is
encouraged. Student research work is either paid, unpaid or earns credit
through an Independent Study or Bachelor's Essay course. Students apply
existing knowledge and skills and aspire to develop new knowledge and skills
through a research position.
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