Factors influencing traditional and non-traditional cooperative education placements, by gender, for secondary school students

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of cooperative education students in traditional and non-traditional (by gender) cooperative education placements, and attempts to determine the factors which influenced their placement choice, A survey of 104 cooperative education students from 4 Northern Ontario high schools was completed. In addition 7 students in non-traditional placements were interviewed about their experiences. The results showed 93% of students were in cooperative education placements that were traditional for their gender. Female students were more likely to participate in non-traditional placements than male students. Most students identified personal interest as the reason for their placement choice. Both parents and peers were shown to influence the placement choices of students. This study concluded that cooperative education teachers need to encourage students who want to participate in non-traditional careers.