DeLorenzo, D. R. (2000). The relationship of cooperative education exposure to career decision-making self-efficacy and career locus of control. Journal of Cooperative Education and Internships, 35(1), 15-24.
This study examined the relationship of cooperative education exposure to career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and career locus of control. This study found that co-op students had significantly higher CDMSE scores than the non-co-op students, though no evidence was found for a significant cumulative effect in CDMSE at the completion of each co-op work term. As this was the first study to examine CDMSE and co-op participation, more research is needed to investigate the nature and extent of this relationship. Engineering and computer science students strongly identified with an internal career locus of control regardless of the type of work experience acquired. Co-op students reported significant work experience satisfaction and valued the opportunity to reality-test their career goals. Implications for cooperative education researchers and administrators are discussed.