Employability and future job satisfaction of 1978 and 1979 College of Business Administration graduates in the Cooperative Education and Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not participation by 1978 and 1979 College of Business students in the Cooperative Education and Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse increased their employability and resulted in higher future job satisfaction. The instrument used to gather the data was the American College Testing Alumni Survey (1979). Of the population studied, a total return rate of 43.38 percent of the test instrument was achieved. This consisted of 68 graduates who did not participate in the Cooperative Education and Internship Program and 17 graduates who did participate. Null hypotheses, established in nine areas of employability and job satisfaction, stated that there would be no significant difference between the two groups with regard to higher starting salary; time required to obtain first job; feelings of underemployment; and indications of job satisfaction involving challenge, location, salary, benefits, advancement potential, working conditions, and career potential. The responses of both groups to these items were tabulated and compared for significant difference using the chi-square test with a .05 decision criterion. An analysis of the data determined no significant differences on any of the nine effects studied. Therefore, all nine null hypotheses were accepted.