A study investigated whether graduates of cooperative education programs, especially those who remain with a former co-op employer, report a greater sense of power in their jobs than other new college hires. Two mechanisms by which cooperative education might lead to this outcome were hypothesized: better organizational socialization and greater perceived relevance of job to career plans. The population studied was college graduates working on their first full-time job since graduation. Data were obtained by mailed questionnaire from 225 employees. Results showed that cooperative education graduates have more realistic expectations regarding their first job after college than do graduates of typical degree programs. Such expectations, which provide evidence of successful early socialization to the company, were also predictive of an important outcome of socialization--commitment to the employing organization. More co-op graduates were concerned about and chose jobs relevant to their career plans. Although co-op status itself was not a significant predictor of employee sense of power, organizational commitment and job relevance were. Data showed cooperative education experience facilitates the transition from student to employee and may serve as a mediating effect to enhance employee sense of power on the job. (Correspondence, instruments, and data are appended.) (YLB)