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Computer & Information Science Department

The CIS Department at PCCC offers degree and certificate programs, articulation agreements with area institutions for those who wish to continue their education towards a bachelor’s degree, and partnerships with area industries that provide students with challenging internships and employment opportunities.

Questions? Contact Us

Merille Siegel, Department Chair
[email protected]
(973) 684-6445

Degrees & Certificates

Cyber Security and Computer Forensics
Certificate of Achievement

Graphic Design and Digital Media
Certificate of Achievement

Information Technology Fundamentals
Certificate of Achievement

Network Administration
Certificate of Achievement

Web and Mobile Development
Certificate of Achievement

Internship Information

How does the internship work?

Students register for CIS 294 (IT and Medical Informatics) or GD 294 (Graphic Design), a 2-credit course. This course is currently offered in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Why consider an internship?

When you work as an intern, it gives you a chance to enhance your resume/portfolio, and gives you real-world experience to go along with your education. You also may have an opportunity to earn a part-time or full-time position. You also get a chance to try out your field and see if you like it.

What are the internship requirements?

Students will work 90 hours with an employer, typically over an 8-10 week period. PCCC will generally secure you a position, though if you have an opportunity we can work with you to turn it into a credit-bearing internship. Most companies prefer interns to work in shifts of 4 or more hours, and preferred hours are typically between 9 am and 3 pm.
 
Students will complete a resume, weekly reports, a final presentation to faculty and college staff, and other assignments as part of their grade.
 
Employers will need to accept you based on an interview as well. You may also need to submit to fingerprinting and an approval process. You will need to arrange transportation to your work site.

What is the acceptance criteria?

General requirements are that you have a 3.0 GPA, both in your major classes and overall. Students must also exhibit strong interpersonal skills and have a history of reliability and integrity in the classroom, so we will need a recommendation from a full-time faculty member in your major. We also look for 30+ college-level credits and 12+ credits in the major as general guidelines. Additionally, in order to make sure you are prepared to work in the field, we look to see that you have successfully completed certain classes in your degree.
 
Graphic Design: CIS/GD 170
IT/Network Administration: CIS 281 and CIS 116
IT/Technical Support: CIS 281 and CIS 116
IT/Web Technology: CIS 271
Medical Informatics: BS 104 and CIS 290

Are internships paid?

Generally, no. There may be exceptions, but most of the time expect your internship to be unpaid.

Can I use my existing job as an internship?

This can be done, though in order for it to qualify as an internship we have certain requirements. The internship would need to be beyond your normal job responsibilities. Students are still responsible for all academic requirements of the course, including weekly reports.

Do internships lead to jobs?

Depending on your major, it can. An internship is an opportunity for a company to see how you fit in their environment. If an employer has an opening, they will often consider outstanding interns for those positions once the internship has ended. We have found jobs are most common in the IT programs (Network Administration, Technical Support, and Web Technology).
 
Even if you are not hired, you get valuable experience and make contacts in your industry as well.

Where have you placed students?

As of Fall 2016, students have worked as interns at the following companies:

– Bergen County Academies
– Bodipure
– Compufix
– County College of Morris
– Direct Market Designs
– Dumont Board of Education
– Flash Global Logistics
– Gazelle Intense Solutions
– Gluckreative
– Greater Bergen Community Action
– Group USA
– H2M Beverages
– Hawthorne Public Schools
– Institute of Management Accountants
– Manic Animatics
– Middle Atlantic Products
– Nextwave Web
– Nocturnal Graphics
– NSR Technology
– Passaic County Community College
– Passaic County Technical Institute
– Passaic High School
– Paterson Board of Education
– pix-l grapx
– Rutgers/UMDNJ
– St. Joseph’s Hospital
– UCEDA
– WOR 710
– Xclusive PC

Who can I contact for more information?

Professor Eric Cameron is the coordinator for the program. He can be reached via email at [email protected], via phone at 973-684-4586, or in person on the Paterson campus in Hamilton Hall room H217.