The effect of cooperative education on change in self-efficacy among undergraduate students: Introducing work self-efficacy

This study examines the effect of cooperative education, controlling for contextual
support and demographic characteristics, on three dimensions of self-efficacy change: work,
career, and academic. Of the three forms of self-efficacy, work self-efficacy was found to be
the one efficacy form impacted by cooperative education. Since self-efficacy is shaped by
performance accomplishments, student success in their co-op jobs appears to enhance their
confidence in performing a variety of behaviors that are particular to handling the requirements
of the workplace. Change in work self-efficacy was also affected by change in students’
confidence in their career orientation. This study claims to open up the so-called black box
of co-op to articulate the practices and behaviors of cooperative education that shape its
contribution to the undergraduate experience.