Location: Nashua, NH
                Cambridge, MA
Number of Respondents: 7

          Compaq (formerly DEC) has locations in Nashua and Cambridge. Housing was easy to find in suburban Nashua, thanks to assistance provided by the company, including an average $160 a month subsidy. Though Compaq would not rent one, a car was essential for the hour of commuting per day and cost about $200. Unfortunately, the location did not offer many after-work activities.

          Students working at the Cambridge Research Laboratory lived either at home, or in an MIT dorm or fraternity; they therefore had no trouble finding housing. Respondents were mixed on whether the company assisted, but the rent was typically about $300 a month. The students living at MIT either walked or biked to work, which typically took fifteen minutes per day. They praised the familiar environment and that they did not have to move.

          The respondents came in contact with many other students over the summer. Also, partly due to the company-sponsored activities, there was a fair amount of interaction between the students.

          Clothing was mostly casual, the work environment was fairly laid-back, and the hours very flexible. Most students agreed that they were treated with respect by co-workers, who were very competent. All but one student had access to state-of-the-art equipment, and all the students worked in either cubicles or shared offices.

          All seven students worked in either basic or applied research. Group sizes ranged from just the student and his supervisor to fifty people. Every respondent knew his assignment on or before arrival. On average, students had a moderate amount of freedom in defining their projects. They were very happy with their assignments and felt that their work was important for the group. The respondents were very mixed on whether one could switch between different groups.

          Compaq does not provide health or dental benefits to interns, but it does pay for fifth-year, first-term tuition. Also, the company paid the moving costs for the students in Nashua. Wages for first-year students were above average, wages for second-year students were average, and wages for graduate students were slightly below average.

          Students had a very good overall impression of their company, and all but one would choose it again. They were split evenly on whether they would work for Compaq after graduation.

"It's perfect--stay in MIT dorm for summer."
"I live at MIT, so I am familiar with the environment already. I don't have to move in the summer."
"Very relaxed environment."

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