Career and Technical Education and Work Latent Pathways in Young Adulthood and Career Implications

• In Event: Collaborations, Motivation, and Student Success in Career and Technical Education

Abstract

Given the challenges in pursuing post-secondary education and the rising costs of college, Career and Technical Education (CTE) has recently gained attention as means of college and career readiness. However, little is known about the CTE trajectories spanning across both high school and college. Using the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002, we conducted latent class analyses to examine CTE pathways from high school to the workforce. We also investigated the career outcomes associated with each latent pathway. Three CTE and work latent pathways were identified, and we found that each pathway was associated with varying employment probabilities and earnings. However, job satisfaction did not differ by the CTE and work latent pathways.

Authors

• Sugene Cho, The Ohio State University - Columbus

• Margarita Olivera Aguilar, Educational Testing Service