>From bpender@vt.edu Mon Dec 2 10:56:31 1996 Received: (from mailadm@localhost) by sable.cc.vt.edu (8.6.12/8.6.12) id KAA06039 for fox@fox.cs.vt.edu; Mon, 2 Dec 1996 10:56:30 -0500 Received: from [128.173.119.111] (bpender.dos.vt.edu [128.173.119.111]) by sable.cc.vt.edu (8.6.12/8.6.12) with SMTP id KAA22856; Mon, 2 Dec 1996 10:56:28 -0500 Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 10:56:28 -0500 X-Sender: bpender@mail.vt.edu Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable To: happy@vt.edu, fox@vt.edu From: bpender@vt.edu (Barbara Pendergrass) Subject: Re: University Self Study This is the response from Career Services. I don't think that the 1990 data would be particularly helpful. What do you think? >Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 08:57:46 -0500 >X-Sender: mcbride@mail.vt.edu >Mime-Version: 1.0 >To: bpender (Barbara Pend=7Fergrass) >From: mcbride@mail.vt.edu (Jim McBride) >Subject: Re: University Self Study >Cc: malone > >Barbara -- Jim forwarded me your note regarding the perceptions employers >have about the technology skills of our students. Our last Employer Needs >Assessment was conducted in 1990, and with all of the developments in >technology in the past 6 years, I hesitate to offer any of that data as >reliable. We are scheduled to survey our employers again late in the Sprin= g >of 1997 which will provide you with some general perception of their >expectations. > >Most employers I talk with ask very specific questions regarding the >technical skill competencies of our students. Often, those questions relat= e >to specific software and hardware competencies. Because the work of these >employers and their technical needs vary so greatly, I almost always refer >the employers to either someone in the academic department with whom I >already have a relationship, or I contact the departmental faculty >designated as academic career advisors. > >As for the interest of the University Self Study committee, I imagine that >much of the work the academic departments are doing in terms of outcomes >assessment might logically point to some of the information you are seeking= . >I have heard several departmental presentations where this specific questio= n >was addressed. And, from the perspective of the employers who hire them, >the computer strengths and deficiencies of students in Psychology or >Management or Computer Engineering differ greatly. You might talk with Joh= n >Muffo in this regard. > >If you believe the data from our 1990 Employer Needs Assessment might be of >some value to your committee, let me know and I'll send you what I have. A= s >an anectodal observation, I perceive that from the standpoint of Va Tech >students who use e-mail and the internet as modes communicating and >gathering information, it appears that many of our employers are the ones >who are a bit behind the technological curve. > > >>>Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 12:22:56 -0500 >>>X-Sender: bpender@mail.vt.edu >>>To: malone >>>From: bpender@vt.edu (Barbara Pend=7Fergrass) >>>Subject: University Self Study >>> >>>Jim, the University Self Study Committee, in its effort to gain a better >>>understanding of the technology needs of our students, is interested in >>>knowing the perceptions that employers have about the technology skills >>>of our students (especially computer skills), the general strengths of ou= r >>>students, and the areas in which our students need to improve. Do you ha= ve >>>any data gathered that might assist the committee address these types o= f >>>questions? Thanks. >>> >>>Barbara Pendergrass >>>Associate Dean of Students >>>107 Brodie Hall >>>0255 >>>1-3797 >>>"The joy of living is giving" >>> >>> >>> >> >> > > Jim McBride > Employer Services > Virginia Tech > PH (540) 231-6241 > FAX (540) 231-8018 > e-mail mcbride@vt.edu > Barbara Pendergrass Associate Dean of Students 107 Brodie Hall 0255 1-3797 "The joy of living is giving"