Fundamental to cooperative education is a philosophical commitment to learning through the experience of work. The workplace can be viewed as a social environment and provides a context for learning that is very different from that provided within a university. The aim of this research was, through an interpretive case study, to explore the influences on student learning in a sport cooperative education context. Learning in the workplace was influenced by the direct guidance and support given by industry supervisors, as well as the attitude of the student. Academic supervisors facilitated the development of reflective practice and helped students to integrate the knowledge gained in both the university and workplace environments. Yet, through developing relationships and social interactions with workplace colleagues, students were able to learn about the culture and values and contributed towards deepening their understanding of what it means to be a professional in the sport and recreation industry.