Predictors of Early Job Outcomes Among Career and Technical Education Concentrators, Academic Concentrators, and Nonconcentrators

• In Event: Student Success Outcomes in Career and Technical Education

Abstract

This study looks to provide a holistic understanding of the relationship among high-school course choices (concentrating on Career and Technical Education [CTE], academic courses, or none) and personal and contextual characteristics in the prediction of job outcomes (i.e., income and job satisfaction). Using data from ELS:2002, we found significant differences by sex and concentration status in the prediction of income: among men, CTE concentrators had the highest income while among women, academic concentrators reported the greatest earnings. No differences in job satisfaction were found between academic and CTE concentrators. SES was a significant moderator of the effects of 1) English self-efficacy and 2) academic expectations on income and 3) general effort on job satisfaction.

Authors

• Margarita Olivera Aguilar, American Institutes for Research

• Chelsea Ezzo

• Harrison Kell, Educational Testing Service

• Steven B. Robbins