Call Number:

04.036

Repository:

Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections

Extent:

1.33 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

1922-2006 (inclusive)

Creator:

Drexel Institute of Technology. Cooperative Education., Drexel University. Department of Cooperative Education., Drexel University. Steinbright Career Development Center., and Tyler, Ralph W. (Ralph Winfred), 1902-1994

Abstract:

The collection consists of records of Steinbright Career Development Center and its predecessor, the Department of Cooperative Education, from 1947-2006. The collection is divided into five series: Annual Reports, Placements Statistics, Public Relations Materials, Administrative Files, and Photographs.

The Department of Cooperative Education was the predecessor of the Steinbright Career Development Center. In 1915, trial for cooperative education first began with a controlled summer program. Several years later, a four-year Engineering cooperative program was established. Since the introduction of cooperative education at Drexel in 1919, it has quickly expanded to include a large network of over 1,500 businesses and institutions from around the world. Cooperative education operates either on a four-year or five-year program during a twelve-month cycle with the exception of the freshman summer. Students alternate between academic study and full-time employment in order to gain practical work experience in their field of study.

As the successor of the Department of Cooperative Education, the Steinbright Career Development Center at Drexel University offers career guidance to both undergraduate and graduate students for national and international co-op programs, as well as a full career development program including workshops, career counseling, and employment fairs.

The collection consists of records from the Steinbright Career Development Center and its predecessor, the Department of Cooperative Education, from 1947-2006. The collection is divided into five series: Annual Reports, Placement Statistics, Public Relations Materials, Administrative Files, and Photographs. The strength of the collection lies in the documentation of Drexel's Cooperative Education Program through public relations brochures, employment placement statistics, and annual reports.

The first series, Annual Reports, contains reports from the Director of the Department of Cooperative Education to the President. The reports span from 1947-1990. Included are statistics on student placement by geographical summary, industry classification, students placed by discipline, student placement by quarter, and employers of cooperative students. Also included in the reports are news of highlights, general information, new developments, activites, and personnel.

The second series, Placement Statistics, contains documentation on breakdown of Drexel students placed with specific employers. The statistics span from 1922-1984. These statistics were mostly likely used to compile information in the Annual Reports.

The third series, Public Relations Materials, contains Employer Guides, informational brochures, and newspaper clippings related to Drexel's cooperative education program. The brochures include pamphlets, handbooks, and several Drexel plans regarding the co-op program.

The fourth series, Administrative Files, contains correspondence, programs, a career planning guide, and a report on the present and future role of cooperative education. A majority of the correspondence relates to Drexel offering a cooperative program of study for library school students.

The fifth series, Photographs, contains electronic files of student submissions for annual Photo Contest from 2008-2011.