High School Employment and Future Academic and Economic Outcomes: Evidence From the Education Longitudinal Study

• In Event: Longitudinal Studies SIG Paper Session

Abstract

Approximately 19% of the 16.7 million students enrolled in U.S. high schools were employed in 2019. Opponents of high school employment argue that it detracts from academics, but proponents counter that it builds other forms of human capital particularly important for future employment. In this study, we use data following a nationally representative survey of sophomores for ten years to examine how high school employment predicts future academic and economic outcomes. While we find that students employed in high school are more likely to drop out of high school and less likely to complete a postsecondary degree, earnings for these students are significantly greater eight years out of intended graduation year than those who were not employed in high school.

Authors

• Adam Kho, University of Southern California

• Tong Tong, University of Southern California