Comparing the Expectations of Information Technology Students to the Experiences of Graduates
Pat Hodd, Brian Dobing
We believe that congruency between what an Information Technology (IT)program offers and both the experiences of graduates and the expectations ofcurrent students are useful tools in assessing program quality. This paper outlines a methodology to test this congruency and reports the results ofa surveyfilled out by 54 students and 22 graduates in IT majors at a mid-sized, primarily undergraduate university. Despite anecdotal evidence that student expectations about salaries and early promotions are unrealistic, this studyfound that both students and graduates recognized the importance of general knowledge and skills such as problem solving, communication, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. Problem solving was reported to be most important. Further, both groups felt the university did a goodjob teaching them these general knowledge and skills.
Pat Hodd is the director of Student Program Services in the Faculty of Management at the University of Lethbridge, Canada. She received a BEd from the University of Alberta, a BMgt from the University of Lethbridge, and is currently completing an MEd at the University of Lethbridge.
Brian Dobing is an associate professor of Information Systems at the University of Lethbridge, Canada. He received his MBA and MSc in Computational Science from the University ofSaskatchewan and his Ph.D. from the University ofMinnesota. DrDobing's research focuses on issues in useranalyst relationships and object-oriented analysis. He has published articles in the Journal ofInformatics Education and Research, Journal of Database Management, Internet Research, Journal of Information Systems Education, and Journal ofComputing Information Systems.
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