The Underlying Relationship of College Student Employment, Student Engagement, and Their Early Career Earnings

• In Event: Postgraduation College Outcomes

Abstract

Students working for pay while attending higher education is prevalent. This study examined the relationship among students’ employment, engagement, and early career earnings using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002). The hours worked weekly, and the number of jobs had significant negative effects on students’ early career earnings, acting through student engagement. Taking work-study jobs had both significant positive direct and indirect effects on early career earnings through affecting engagement. The results revealed that student engagement mediated the relationship between college student employment and their early career earnings. This study provided implications for higher education practitioners and administrators to pay attention to create work-study opportunities and encourage student engagement.

Authors

• Ren Liu, Shandong University of Economics and Finance

• Fanya Wu, University at Buffalo - SUNY