Early to Rise: The Effects of Acceleration on Occupational Prestige, Earnings, and Satisfaction

• In Event: 61.082 - Outcomes of Acceleration

Abstract

Prior acceleration research supports that reduced years in formal schooling allows students to rapidly enter the workforce and make substantial contributions. It seems intuitive that accelerated students make earlier and larger contributions compared with students who have had less time in the workforce. This paper expands our understanding of acceleration’s effects on career outcomes by holding career length constant and comparing accelerated students with older, same-ability peers who enter the job market at the same time. Using a nationally representative, longitudinal database, results indicate that accelerated students hold an advantage over older peers in both occupational prestige and earnings. This argues for two distinct mechanisms that benefit accelerated students’ careers: earlier workforce entry and higher productivity rates.

Author

• Katie Larsen McClarty, Questar