The Utilization of the Five Factor Model of Personality In the Prediction of Cooperative Education

The Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality is obtaining construct validation, recognition, and practical consideration across a broad domain of fields, including clinical psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and health psychology (Widiger & Tull, 1997). One of the five personality factors in the FFM, conscientiousness and its specific subpersonality traits has been associated with the prediction of job success. However, no research has been conducted to assess the prediction of coop success using the FFM of personality. This study aimed to address conscientiousness in relation to coop success by analyzing 1,399 employer evaluations from UW-Stout students enrolled in a coop position. The results of this study indicated that work quality, judgment, motivation, and accuracy were high predictors of 2 coop success. This study suppOlied the hypothesis that conscientiousness would be predictive of coop performance. Limitations and recommendations of the study are addressed. The Graduate School University of Wisconsin Stout Menomonie, WI Acknowledgments I would like to thank the Career Services depar1ment for their patience and assistance while I was gathering the necessary data for my thesis . I would also like to thank my internship supervisor for making space for me in the Career Services depa11ment and the opp0l1unity to conduct research for such a friendly and welcoming environment. I would also like to thank my family and friends. I am extremely grateful to have the supp0l1 of my family and friends for without them I would have never challenged myself throughout my education. I would like to thank Dr. Kristina Gorbatenko-Roth, my research advisor, for her knowledge, commitment, and patience in overseeing this research study. J have grown professionally because of the 3 commitment and dedication of the MSAP program faculty. It has been a long and enduring process and I thank everyone who has been involved.