The Work Readiness of Master of Information Systems International Students at an Australian University: A Pilot Study

Introduction A review of the literature from government, industry, and academic sources identifies that the Australian information and communication technology (ICT) industry suffers from spiralling low numbers of suitably skilled employees. Increasing ICT skills shortages in Australia has led to the immigration of overseas workers with the relevant skill sets to augment the supply. As well, the off-shoring and outsourcing of ICT work to other countries has exacerbated the problem for domestic students who perceive poor recruitment opportunities and ill-defined career paths, thus leading to a continuing decline of interest in IS education. To maintain enrolment levels in the wake of decreasing government funding, Australian universities are encouraging an increasing number of overseas students to enrol in postgraduate ICT programs such as the Masters of Information Systems (MIS). There is often confusion between the terms information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) both of which constitute ICT. According to Rose and Scheepers (2001, p.10), "information technologies may be understood as a material resource that supports information practice which in turn supports a wider set of social practices". Shanks, Hodgson and Darke (1996, p. 1) define IS as being "concerned with the interaction between information technology, individuals, and organisations ... research in information systems has increasingly focussed on the social and organisational processes surrounding the introduction and use of information technology". The IS fie ld is dynamic. Inevitably, changes in IS impact the education sector since graduates need to be employable. This paper reports on a qualitative pilot case study which explores the views of Masters of Information Systems (MIS) students in the business school of an Australian university. The study seeks to determine whether the courses in the MIS program prepare students for the workforce, and in which areas the MIS program can be improved to produce more work-ready students. The study also endeavours to appreciate the perceptions of MIS students on the balance of technical skills and business processes in the courses of the MIS program and whether participation in the MIS program has changed the career and life aspirations of the students. This study is expected to be the preliminary stage of more extensive research which consults with industry practitioners, academia, and a larger cohort of students. The project has the potential for several significant outcomes. There are benefits for the university as it aspires to lift both the enrolment in IS/IT education and the employment rate of IS/IT university graduates through assisting educators with more relevant curriculum design. There is the potential to increase the satisfaction and confidence of ICT graduates entering the workforce. Finally, there is a contribution to industry through the improved alignment between technical skills and business processes thus lessening the skills gap. The structure of the paper is as follows. A review is provided of the relevant literature from government, industry, and academia. This is followed by an outline of the research strategy used and the conduct of the study. The findings section of the paper contains a discussion of the results of the study. In the conclusion section, the project is summarised, the findings are reflected upon and related back to the literature and the strategic plan of the university. Finally, topics for future research are proposed. Review of the Literature Recent studies from government, industry, and academia forebode a crisis in the ICT sector. In 2004-2005, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ICT income was $87 billion (DCI-TA, 2006). In a recent article in ComputerWorld (Bushell-Embling, 2007), Gary Nairn, the Special Minister of State for the Australian Government, acknowledges the importance of addressing the skills shortage at the tertiary education level by issuing a challenge to government, industry, and educational institutions to work together to promote careers in ICT. …