December 2005
(Rev No. 12)
Partnerships
In
Education
Industry Education Programs
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
Florida Institute of Technology
Director, Industry Education Programs
Room 104A, College of Business
Phone: (321) 674 -7168
FAX: (321) 674 - 8896
Table of Contents
Page
PURPOSE …………. ……………………………………………………… 2
INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………. 2
PARTIES TO THE PRACTICUM IN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
….. 2
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRACTICUM STUDENT………………… 3
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOST EMPLOYER ……………………… 4
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
PRACTICUM IN BUSINESS COORDINATORS………………...... 5
GUIDELINES FOR THE PRACTICUM IN BUSINESS PROGRAM ...........6
APPENDIXES:
A.
Sample Job Description …………………………………….. 9
B.
Business Practicum Agreement Form .…………………… 12
C.
Biweekly Practicum Student Report ……………………… 15
D.
Final Written Report …………………………………........ 17
E.
Host Employer’s Evaluation …………………………....... 22
1
Purpose
This handbook outlines the policies and describes the procedures that govern the conduct
of and participation in the College of Business Practicum in Business Course.
Introduction
The College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology is committed to offering
educational programs that will benefit both our students and their host employers. One
way in which we strive to achieve that objective is by conducting a Practicum in Business
Course. The Practicum in Business Course can be an extremely valuable experience for
students since it provides them the opportunity to incorporate realistic and practical
business experiences, not normally achievable in a classroom setting, into their academic
programs; enables them to gain insights into industries and disciplines in which they
might have an interest for future employment; and provides contacts and networking
opportunities to assist in securing future employment. Employers benefit as a result of
having available the services of dependable, conscientious and knowledgeable students
who are able to think critically and who can bring a helping hand and a fresh perspective
to their organizations. Another potential benefit to employers is the opportunity to assess
the student’s “fit” as a future full time employee. The Practicum in Business Course also
accrues significant benefit to the College of Business as a result of feedback from both
the student and host employers that enables us to effect appropriate changes in our overall
curriculum as well as individual course content.
Parties to the Practicum in Business Relationship
 Student: The student who participates in and receives academic credit for the
Practicum in Business Course. There are three categories of students: graduate
practicum student who perform a three credit hour practicum; undergraduate
practicum student who perform a three credit hour practicum; and undergraduate
practicum student who are authorized to perform a six credit hour practicum in
business.
 Host Employer: The representative of the participating business or organization
who directs the on-site efforts of the practicum student and provides the “real
world” environment and experience to them. (Note: Sometimes referred to as the
Immediate Supervisor.)
 Practicum in Business Course Coordinators: The university representatives, one
staff member and one faculty member, who act as liaison between the College of
Business and the Host Employer and facilitate the overall performance of the
practicum in business. The staff representative will be the Director, Industry
Education Programs, who will be primarily responsible for the administrative
aspects of the course. The designated faculty representative will be responsible
for monitoring the academic aspects of the Practicum in Business Course and
determining the student’s final grade.
2
Responsibilities of the Practicum Student
In order to do well academically and realize the maximum practical benefit from
participation in the Practicum in Business Course, students enrolled in the course must
satisfy the following requirements:
 For the Practicum in Business Course, complete the prerequisite courses, BUS
4501, Production/Operations Management, and BUS 4783, Business Practicum
Planning
 Obtain authorization from their Faculty Advisor to participate in the Practicum in
Business Course.
 International students must obtain authority to participate in Curricular Practical
Training from International Student and Scholar Services prior to commencing
the practicum.
 Graduate students and undergraduate student s performing a three credit hour
practicum must work a minimum of 150 hours during the semester; undergraduate
students authorized to perform a six credit hour practicum must work a minimum
of 240 hours during the semester. In order to ensure balance in the work schedule
throughout the semester, a weekly target of ten work hours is recommended for
three credit hour practicum in business and a weekly target of sixteen work hours
is recommended for six credit hour practicum in business . The ten work hour
requirement must be fulfilled over a minimum of two days, i.e. a one day, ten
hour shift is not authorized. A minimum of eight hours per week is required for
both undergraduate and graduate practicum students throughout the duration of
the practicum regardless of the number of work hours accumulated. All work is
to be performed at the work site(s) designated by the Host Employer.
 Complete a bi-weekly report of their business practicum activities. (See Biweekly
Practicum Report at Appendix C.) A definitive discussion of the requirements for
this report will be conducted during the first class session.
 Attend and actively participate in all scheduled class meetings.
 Complete a final written report (see Final Written Report outline at Appendix D)
describing the student’s business practicum experience and submit it (in hard
copy form, not email) to the course instructor at least fourteen days prior to the
last day of classes unless otherwise specified.
 Prepare and conduct an oral presentation regarding the student’s practicum in
business that covers the information contained in the final written report. The
presentation shall be a minimum of ten and a maximum of twenty minutes in
length and shall be conducted during the last two weeks of the practicum unless
otherwise specified. This presentation should, if possible, be conducted at the
3
practicum work site. However, arrangements can be made to conduct the
presentation at the College of Business if necessary. Specific details regarding
the evaluation of the oral presentation and a discussion of presentation "“do’s and
don'ts” will be covered during one of the class sessions.
 Execute confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements if requested to do so by the
Host Employer.
 Be professional in their work habits, appearance and demeanor.
 Be courteous and considerate of others in their interpersonal relations.
Responsibilities of the Host Employer
The College of Business endorses the National Society for Internships and Experiential
Education definition of an internship as: “… any type of carefully monitored work or
service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects
actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience.” Moreover, as a “for
credit” work experience, this practicum in business must significantly further the
student’s intellectual, personal and professional growth. In order to assist the College of
Business in making the Practicum in Business Course a valuable learning experience,
employers participating in this course must agree to:
 Identify meaningful and challenging entry-level management duties and
responsibilities for the business practicum students to perform in order to provide
them an authentic, well organized and structured learning experience.
 Collaborate with the student to develop a job description that delineates the
specific duties to be performed and responsibilities to be fulfilled by the student
during the business practicum.
 Ensure the student is permitted to perform the duties delineated in the job
description.
 Assign a direct supervisor who will be responsible to monitor closely the
student’s performance of assigned duties and responsibilities and provide
feedback on the student’s performance.
 Provide the student adequate workspace and make available the tools, equipment
and supplies necessary for the student to perform his/her assigned duties.
 Make a commitment to invest the necessary time and effort to teach the student as
much as possible about the organization’s mission, objectives, structure, operating
procedures and culture.
4
 When appropriate, permit the student to participate in meetings and workshops in
order to expose him/her to the problem solving and decision making processes
and to provide access to networking and other professional development
activities.
 Review the student’s biweekly practicum report and, at their option, provide
comments as appropriate.
 Ensure that the appropriate representative(s) of the organization, preferably the
student’s immediate supervisor, attend the student’s oral presentation.
 Provide an evaluation of the student’s performance upon completion of the
business practicum. (See Appendix E.)
 Inform the College of Business’s Director, Industry Education Programs of the
student’s failure to: (1) perform his/her assigned duties in a satisfactory manner;
(2) maintain appropriate and professional standards of conduct; (3) respect the
policies of the Host Employer.
 Respect the policies and procedures of the College of Business pertaining to the
conduct and implementation of the Practicum in Business Course.
Responsibilities of the College of Business Practicum in Business
Coordinators
As part of the Practicum in Business Course, the College of Business Practicum Student
Coordinators agrees to fulfill the following requirements:
 The course instructor will monitor all academic aspects of the practicum by
maintaining frequent personal contact with the student; organizing, scheduling
and conducting class meetings; reviewing and providing feedback on the
biweekly practicum reports; attending and evaluating the oral presentation;
and evaluating the final written report.
 Upon completion of the practicum, the course instructor will assign a letter
grade (A–F) for the student’s performance based upon the following
considerations: content and quality of biweekly practicum reports (25%);
attendance and participation at class meetings (10%); oral presentation (10%);
final written report (30%); fulfilling practicum student responsibilities and job
description (10%); Business Practicum Planning (5%) and the Host
Employer’s evaluation (10%).
 The course instructor will ensure student is awarded the appropriate number
of academic credit hours upon successful completion of the Practicum in
Business Course.
5
 Faculty representatives will forward to the Director, Industry Education/
Programs suggestions and leads for potential Host Employers.
 The Director, Industry Education Programs will facilitate the administrative
aspects of the practicum and will be available to the student and the Host
Employer to resolve any procedural problems which arise during the course of
the student’s practicum.
 The College of Business Coordinators will respect the policies and procedures
of the Host Employer and will cooperate to resolve any conflict that arises
between the established procedures of the Host Employer and those of the
College of Business.
Guidelines for the Practicum in Business Course
 Participation in the Business Practicum.
Undergraduate students shall complete their Business Practicum and BUS 4702, Business
Strategy and Policy, in their final academic semester. Graduate students have the option
to participate in the program with approval of their academic advisors. BUS 4501,
Production/Operations Management, is a prerequisite to participate in the practicum. The
practicum course will normally be offered in the fall and spring semesters, however, the
course may be offered in the summer semester on an exception basis with the approval of
the Associate Dean, College of Business.
 Practicum in Business Course Credit, Costs, Hours and Grading.
Business practicum students will be awarded the appropriate number of academic credit
hours upon successful completion of the practicum. The practicum must be completed
during regularly scheduled academic sessions. Academic credit will not be granted for
hours worked before the student is registered for the course; or before the start, or after
the conclusion of the regularly scheduled course.
Students pay full tuition for academic credit earned during the practicum. The fall and
spring semester practicum courses are included in the regular semester load and as part
of the full-time tuition. In the event a summer semester practicum is approved as an
exception to policy, costs will be charged at the per-credit-hour tuition rate. Prospective
practicum students should contact the Office of Admissions for more information
regarding tuition costs.
Graduate students and undergraduate students performing a three credit hour practicum
are required to work a total of 150 hours and undergraduate students authorized to
perform a six credit hour practicum are required to work a total of 240 hours during the
semester at the location(s) designated by the Host Employer. In order to provide a
reasonable balance in the semester work schedules, a target of 10 hours per week is
established for graduate student and undergraduate student performing a three credit
6
hour practicum. This 10 hour work requirement must be fulfilled over a minimum of two
days, i.e. a one day, 10 hour shift is not authorized. A target of 16 hours per week is
established for undergraduate student authorized to perform a six credit hour practicum.
A minimum of eight hours per week is required throughout the duration of all practicum
students regardless of the number of work hours accumulated.
Upon completion of the practicum, a letter grade (A-F) will be assigned by the course
instructor based upon the content, quality and completeness of the student’s biweekly
reporting (25%), oral presentation (10%), final written report (30 %), attendance and
participation at class meetings (10%), fulfillment of their practicum responsibilities and
job description (10 %), Business Practicum Planning (5%) and the evaluation provided
by the Host Employer (10 %).
 Business Practicums Must Be Meaningful and Challenging.
The College of Business will only approve practicum positions which clearly satisfy the
twofold purpose of an practicum position: (1) to further the academic goals of the
student’s business education; and, (2) to expose the student to, acquaint the student with
and, where possible, involve the student in entry level management duties and
responsibilities in the Host Employer’s organization or business. The Practicum in
Business is designed to serve as an applied business experience for final semester seniors
and graduate students in the College of Business. It is the capstone business experience
and as such is expected to culminate the many and varied academic disciplines to which
the student has been exposed during his/her previous business courses. Moreover, this
professional practicum in business experience should be the final step in acquainting
students with those entry level management skills and responsibilities necessary to
prepare them to embark upon a career in their chosen field.
Students are strongly encouraged to identify businesses or organizations at which they
would like to perform their practicum. Upon identifying a potential business practicum
opportunity, the student should obtain a statement from the prospective Host Employer,
on company letterhead, confirming the availability of an entry level management
business practicum opportunity and a proposed job description for the position. This
documentation should be presented to the Director, Industry Education Programs who
will initiate the necessary follow-up action.
 Agreement Between the Parties to the Practicum in Business Course.
A written agreement between the student, College of Business and designated
representative of the Host Employer is required. The purpose of this agreement is to
clarify what is expected of all parties to the practicum agreement. There must be
unequivocal commitment to providing the student with a meaningful and challenging
business experience. A representative of the Host Employer must be available and
willing to supervise the student’s work, provide guidance and direction as required and
assist in the evaluation of the student’s on-the-job performance. The student must agree
to be professional and conscientious and perform the business practicum to the best of
his/her ability. The representatives of the College of Business must facilitate
7
establishment of the practicum, monitor and evaluate the student’s academic
performance, assign the appropriate grade and award credit upon successful completion
of the practicum in business course and be available to assist the Host Employer should
any procedural problems arise.
 Paid Students vs. Unpaid Students
The College of Business does not have a policy and does not take a position with regard
to Host Employers paying students during the business practicum. Inasmuch as students
are awarded credit for the practicum experience, the primary concern of the College of
Business is that practicum in business course contribute in a significant way to the
students’ business education. Any issues regarding compensation, either from the Host
Employer’s or the student’s perspective should be discussed and resolved during the
interview process.
8
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
APPENDIX A
Sample Job Description
9
Practicum Job Description
(Sample)
Date: __________
Student’ Name: _____________________
Host Employer Company/Organization: __________________________
Inclusive Dates of Practicum: _________________ (First Day of Classes - Last Day of Classes)
Student’s Job Title: _________________
Reports To: _______________________
(Name and Title)
Job Description Approved for Host Employer By: ____________________________
(Name and Title)
1. Purpose of the Job:
(One or two sentences stating the end results or objectives of this position.)
For example:
“ To enable the student to gain an understanding of how a business functions and, more
specifically, to provide the student with some insight into the management functions of
the Sales and Marketing Department within a company. To provide the student an
opportunity to interact with marketing, engineering and corporate management personnel
in order to better familiarize him/her with the workings of the total organization and
prepare them for their future career in the workforce.”
2. Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job:
(List the typical duties and responsibilities of the job.)
For example:
“ Under supervision of a member of the Marketing Department staff, the student will
perform the following duties:
a. Plans, submits for approval, and implements as directed, assigned public relations
activities including press releases, community events, employee participation and
results measurement, in order to enhance the company’s image within the
community.
b. Develops and coordinates assigned advertising tasks to include, but not limited to,
copy writing, budget quotes, mailing lists and vendor coordination in order to educate
customers regarding product changes and to increase sales of products and services.
10
c. Conducts competitive research and analysis in order to enable comparative
evaluations of the company’s products and to aid in the development of product
promotions.
d. Completes advertising and product tracking reports and budget reports in order
to measure the effectiveness of company marketing efforts and to track expenses for
budget purposes.
e. When appropriate, the business practicum student will be permitted to attend
departmental meetings in order to observe the problem solving and decision making
processes.
f. Ensures that his/her personal goals and objectives are aligned with those of the
Marketing Department.
g. Consistently demonstrates courtesy, tact and diplomacy in dealing with the
company’s customers, both external and internal, in order to maintain and project the
highest standards of customer service.
h. Exhibits professional conduct at all times in appearance, demeanor and
conversation.
i. Exposure to decision making, planning and management processes as appropriate
and permissible.( NOTE: Required to be in all job descriptions)
j. Other responsibilities and duties as assigned. ( NOTE: Required to be in all job
descriptions)
3. Physical Requirements of the Position:
(List any physical requirements essential to job performance.)
4. Working Conditions and Environment:
(List travel requirements, unusual work hours, vehicle and/or equipment operation,
environmental conditions, etc.)
5. Extent of Public Contact:
(Indicate the extent to which the position requires contact with the public, e.g.
customers, suppliers, etc.)
_____________________
Signature of Student/Date
_________________________
Signature of Supervisor/Date
11
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
APPENDIX B
Business Practicum Agreement Form
12
College of Business
Florida Institute of Technology
PRACTICUM IN BUSINESSS COURSE AGREEMENT
Pertaining to Responsibilities in the Practicum in Business Course
THE STUDENTagrees to:
1. Prepare a resume of his/her skills and work experience to be presented to the
prospective Host Employer(s) at the interview(s).
2. Interview with prospective Host Employer(s) on the dates and at the times specified.
3. Meet with their Host Employer to develop a proposed job description, which
delineates the purpose, duties and responsibilities of their business practicum
position.
4. Present the proposed job description to the Director, Industry Education Programs for
approval.
5. Secure the approval and signature of their Host Employer on the final, approved job
description and Business Practicum Agreement Form and return both of these
documents to the Director, Industry Education Programs.
6. Work the prescribed number of hours during the semester at the location(s)
designated by the Host Employer and work a minimum of eight hours per week
throughout the duration of the business practicum regardless of the number of work
hours accumulated.
7. Prepare and submit biweekly practicum reports as requested.
8. Attend all class meetings at the College of Business on the dates and at the times
specified.
9. Complete a final written report describing their practicum experience and submit it
(in hard copy form, not email) to the course instructor a minimum of fourteen days
prior to the last day of class unless otherwise specified.
10. Prepare and conduct an oral presentation regarding their business practicum and
covering the information contained in the final written report. This presentation shall
be a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 20 minutes in duration and shall be
conducted during the last two weeks of the practicum, unless otherwise specified,
preferably at the Host Employer’s location
11. Be professional in their work habits, appearance and demeanor. Be courteous and
considerate of their co-workers in their interpersonal relations. Comply with the rules,
policies and regulations of the College of Business and their Host Employer.
Maintain confidentialities as requested. Be open to constructive criticism throughout
the practicum in business course.
12. International students must also complete processing for Curricular Practical
Training before they will be allowed to start their practicum. This processing may
take as much as ten days to complete.
13
THE HOST EMPLOYER agrees to:
1. Identify meaningful and challenging duties and responsibilities for the practicum
student in order to provide him/her an authentic, well organized and structured
learning experience.
2. Work with the student to develop the proposed job description for the practicum
position.
3. Ensure the practicum student is given the opportunity to perform the duties and
permitted access to the experiences delineated in the job description.
4. Provide the practicum student with a direct supervisor.
5. Provide the practicum student adequate workspace and the necessary tools,
equipment and supplies.
6. Review and, at their option, comment on the practicum student’s weekly/biweekly
report.
7. Ensure that the appropriate representative(s), preferably the practicum student’s
immediate supervisor, attends the practicum student’s oral presentation.
8. Upon completion of the practicum, complete the prescribed practicum student
evaluation form.
9. Inform the College of Business Director, Industry Education Programs of the
practicum student’s failure to perform his/her duties or to conduct himself/herself in a
satisfactory manner.
10. Respect the policies of the College of Business pertaining to the implementation of
the Practicum in Business Course and cooperate to resolve any conflicts which arise
between the established procedures of the College of Business and the Host
Employer.
THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS PRACTICUM IN BUSINESS COURSE
COORDINATORS agree to:
1. Monitor and evaluate the practicum student’s performance of the practicum and
assign the student a letter grade (A-F) based upon the content, quality and
completeness of biweekly practicum reports, attendance and participation at class
meetings, oral presentation, final written report, fulfillment of their practicum
responsibilities and job description, and the Host Employer’s evaluation.
2. Ensure the practicum student is awarded the appropriate number of academic credits
upon successful completion of the business practicum.
3. Facilitate the administrative aspects of the practicum and be available to the Host
Employer to resolve any procedural problems which arise during the course of the
student’s practicum.
4. Respect the policies and procedures of the Host Employer and cooperate to resolve
any conflicts which arise between the established procedures of the Host Employer
and the College of Business.
___________________
(Student’s Signature)
____________________
(Employer’s Signature)
__________________
______________________________
(Course Instructor)
(Dir, Industry Education Programs)
___________________
(Date)
____________________
(Date)
__________________
(Date)
14
______________________________
(Date)
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
APPENDIX C
Biweekly Practicum Student Report
15
College of Business
Florida Institute of Technology
Biweekly Practicum Report
(To be submitted as an Email attachment)
Date:
Name:
Host Employer:
Reporting Period:
Hours Worked this Period:
( Minimum is 8 hours per week for the duration of
the practicum)
Cumulative Hours Worked to Date:
Remaining Hours to be Completed:
1. Summary of activities: (Indicate approximate number of hours devoted to each activity. Round
up to the nearest full hour.)
2. New tasks assigned:
3. Meetings attended: (Indicate purpose and whether decision or information meeting.)
4. Live Case Analysis: (Your observations, reactions and suggestions. What would you do?)
5. Problems encountered:
Technical:
People Problems:
Supervisor’s Review: _______________________________________________
(Typed Name and Date Forwarded to Supervisor)
Supervisor’s Comments (Optional at supervisor’s discretion):
16
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
APPENDIX D
Final Written Report
17
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
Final Written Report Requirements
The final written report is a very important part of the practicum. The content of the final
written report represents the culmination of what is intended and expected to be an
extremely valuable educational experience. In order to ensure that the report captures the
significant aspects of your practicum, it is important that you keep a record (a daily
record is recommended) of important happenings as they occur. Do not wait until the end
of your practicum and then attempt to recall all that happened during your entire
practicum experience.
When you are preparing your final report, keep in mind that the report is intended to be a
critical analysis of the significant experiences you were exposed to during your
practicum. It is not sufficient that it be simply a listing of the activities in which you
participated. Your analysis of this valuable opportunity should focus on the things you
learned in the practicum setting that you most likely would not have learned in the
classroom. It would be particularly useful for students to include those things which they
learned about the “real world” while participating in the practicum . Your report should
also discuss the skills and information learned during your various classes of instruction
which you were able to apply during your practicum. Finally, the report should identify,
in as much detail as possible, those skills and subjects which were not covered, or not
covered adequately, during your business curriculum, which would have been helpful to
you during your practicum.
The final written report shall be submitted in hard copy form, not email, and shall include
four parts: an introduction; the body of the paper; conclusions; and recommendations.
Each of the four parts is described in more detail in the report outline which follows.
Although there is not a prescribed length for the final report, it will represent a significant
part (30% - two and one half letter grades) of your final grade and therefore must reflect
considerable planning, preparation and organization, be comprehensive in content and
accurate in spelling and grammar.
Where possible and appropriate, students are encouraged to include samples of their work
in an appendix(es) to their final report. However, all samples of work included with the
report must be reviewed, cleared for use and initialed by the intern’s immediate
supervisor. This is necessary to insure proper handling and safeguarding of the Host
Employer’s confidential and proprietary information.
The final written report shall be prepared in the outline shown below and must be
received by the course instructor a minimum of fourteen days prior to the last day of class
unless otherwise specified.
18
Final Written Report Outline
(NOTE: Your report MUST include and address each of the major sections and
subsections indicated in the following outline.)
Introduction
The introduction should include an overview of the Host Employer’s organization briefly
describing:
 mission
 goals/objectives
 structure (organizational chart would be most appropriate)
 functions
 summary of the duties and responsibilities performed by the intern
Body
The body of the report should provide a comprehensive analysis of the total practicum
experience. It should make clear the relationship between the work the practicum student
performed and the mission and needs of the organization. Additionally, it should
establish the relationship between courses at the College of Business and the student’s
assigned duties. The body of the report shall contain and discuss, as a minimum, the
following subsections:
 New skills acquired and skills improved. The emphasis in this subsection
should be on skills acquired and/or improved upon over and above those
learned in a classroom setting.
 Management techniques observed. Discuss management techniques and skills
which you observed which will enable you to employ resources (money,
people, equipment, facilities, time) more productively.
 Classroom skills employed. Describe how skills and information acquired in
the classroom were employed to facilitate and/or enhance the practicum
experience.
 Problems encountered. Address problems that you encountered and/or
observed during the practicum and provide an explanation as to how they
were resolved, or not resolved if that is the case. Examples might be in the
areas of public relations, problem solving, decision making, conflict
19
resolution, customer service, resource inadequacies, interpersonal relations, or
any other type of problem observed during the internship.
 Business challenges. Based on your observations during your practicum,
provide your thoughts as to the major challenges facing businesses today.
Examples might be in the areas of employee/employer loyalty, business
ethics, employee absenteeism/presenteeism, employee appraisal procedures,
employee compensation, etc. Indicate how your practicum experience will
better prepare you to deal with these challenges.
 Lessons learned. Discuss the things that you learned, both positive and
negative, as a result of participating in the practicum. Provide an explanation
as to how you think these lessons will help you in your future career.
Conclusions
Indicate the conclusions you have reached as a result of your practicum experience.
Please include your conclusions regarding the overall strengths and weaknesses of the
Practicum in Business Course.
Indicate what impact your practicum has had with regard to your career goals.
The conclusions should also include an analysis of how well the practicum experience
met your expectations.
Recommendations
Any weakness noted, or area requiring corrective action, which you point out in your
conclusions should have a corresponding recommendation for improvement in this
section.
Provide your recommendations for future student practicum. (Note: It would be
appropriate and highly desirable to include here any course(s) you think should be added
to the curriculum in order to benefit future interns.)
Practicum Performance Questionnaire. Complete the attached questionnaire
by providing an assessment of your performance during your practicum in
the various areas indicated. Turn it in with your final report.
20
Practicum Performance Assessment
Provide an assessment of your manner of performance during your practicum in the areas indicated. Circle
the number which best describes your level of performance.
1- unsatisfactory
2 – poor
3 – average
4 – good
5 –excellent
n/a –not applicable
Circle n/a if the question does not apply to your duty performance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Ability to grasp concepts and tasks associated with your position.
Comprehension of business and management terminology.
Ability to work well with others.
Understanding of human relations.
Adequacy of computer skills.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate verbally.
Success in working through technical problems.
Success in working through personnel problems.
Adequacy of your quantitative skills.
Adequacy of your analytical skills.
Adequacy of your research skills.
Adequacy of your time management skills.
Your grasp of the ethical aspects of business issues.
Your grasp of the legal aspects of business issues.
Your understanding of diversity issues in the workplace.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Considering the responsibilities and tasks assigned to you during your practicum, please provide an
assessment of your proficiency in the following functional areas. Please provide explanatory comments for
any area you rate below 3 (average).










Accounting
Finance
Economics
Marketing
Human Resources
Statistics
Quantitative methods
Production operations
International business
Computer skills
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Explanatory comments: (Continue comments on reverse side if necessary.)
21
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
College of Business Practicum in Business Course
APPENDIX E
Host Employer’s Evaluation
Please be candid in your evaluation of the student and our
Practicum in Business Course. Your observations, comments and
evaluation are used by the faculty in the College of Business to
continuously improve our curriculum and therefore our students.
22
Florida Institute of Technology
College of Business
_____________
(Date)
Practicum in Business Evaluation Form
(Supervisor’s Name-Please Print)
(Company/Organization)
_____________________________________________________________(STUDENT) has been earning academic credit while
working with your company/organization. The student has, or soon will have, completed all of the required practicum
hours. Please provide an evaluation of the student’s overall performance of assigned duties in the areas indicated.
Please circle the number which best describes his/her performance; circle n/a in those areas that do not apply.
1 – unsatisfactory
2 – poor
3 – average
4 – good
5 – excellent
n/a – not applicable
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Ability to grasp concepts and tasks associated with his/her position
Comprehension of business and management terminology.
Ability to work well with others.
Understanding of human relations.
Adequacy of computer skills.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate orally.
Success in working through technical problems.
Success in working through personnel problems.
Adequacy of quantitative skills.
Adequacy of analytical skills.
Adequacy of research skills.
Adequacy of time management skills.
Grasp of the ethical aspects of business issues.
Grasp of the legal aspects of business issues.
Understanding of diversity issues in the workplace.
Willingness to cooperate.
Eagerness to learn.
Dependability and conscientiousness.
Professional in demeanor and appearance.
If you had a position vacancy, would you employ this student?
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Yes _____
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
No _____
If your response to the previous question is no, please provide specific reasons.
Please comment on any particular strengths or weaknesses exhibited by the student, e.g. attitude, critical thinking,
problem solving, academic strengths, etc. We also welcome your comments on the Practicum in Business Course
Program in general.
__________________________________
Employer’s/Supervisor’s Signature / Date
23