A Comparative Study of Career Determination Levels and Career Preparation Behaviors of Female College Students in Cooperative Education

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of cooperative education for female college students and to find ways to improve cooperative education. One hundred seventy-four female college students in their third and fourth years of university were surveyed for cooperative education, career determination levels, career preparation behaviors, and personal characteristics. The t-test analyzed the difference between the career determination levels and career preparation behaviors groups according to participation and characteristics of cooperative education. The study showed no significant difference in the career determination levels of female college students according to the cooperative education participation. However, there was a significant difference in the tool-making activity. In addition, there were significant differences between groups in all sub-elements of the career determination levels according to the assignment of advisors in cooperative education characteristics. Lastly, according to practical cost support, there was a significant difference between the groups in goal achievement activities, a sub-element of career preparation behaviors. Based on the results of this study, the effects and implications of cooperative education are discussed.