What's in a Job? Evaluating the Effect of Private Sector Employment Experience on Student Academic Outcomes
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 112,
May 2022
(pp. 126-30)
Abstract
Although subsidized summer jobs programs have been shown to improve youth outcomes, little is known about the effects of private sector employment experiences. We study a unique program that brokers employer-paid summer internships for youth across a variety of industries and occupations. Using administrative data, we employ fixed effects and matching models to estimate the impact of these internships on academic outcomes. We find that private sector job experience significantly increases attendance, reduces course failures, and raises proficiency on statewide exams. Participants are more likely to take the SAT and enroll in college with a shift from two-year to four-year institutions.Citation
Modestino, Alicia Sasser, Urbashee Paul, and Joseph McLaughlin. 2022. "What's in a Job? Evaluating the Effect of Private Sector Employment Experience on Student Academic Outcomes." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 112: 126-30. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20221035Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
- I21 Analysis of Education
- I23 Higher Education; Research Institutions
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J41 Labor Contracts
- J68 Mobility, Unemployment, and Vacancies: Public Policy