Abstract: After at least four years of college, do students seeking entry-Ievel IS employment realize that employers consider many variables when making the hiring decision? Many employers look at GPA, but other variables, such as the business skills, ability to work with others, energy, drive, and enthusiasm, and analytical skills, are also important. This study empirically assesses students' perceptions of the importance of seven student characteristics in the hiring process. Subjects included 51 undergraduate and 28 graduate students. The methodology employs analysis that facilitates the examination of all seven characteristics simultaneously. Results show that the two most important variables were communication skills and the ability to work with others. While all seven variables were important, students perceived GPA to be the least important of the seven. Demographic variables such as gender and major had no effect on the results.

Keywords: IS Education, IS Hiring, Conjoint Analysis

Download this article: JISE - Volume 11 Number 1-2, Page 41.pdf

Recommended Citation: Baker, W. M. & Harris, A. L. (2000). Empirically Assessing Students' Perceptions of the Importance of Student Characteristics. Journal of Information Systems Education, 11(1-2), 41-46.