Working Paper: NBER ID: w26013
Authors: Kevin J. Boudreau; Matt Marx
Abstract: Young workers typically enter the professional labor market only after completing higher education. We investigate how earlier professional work experience affects skilled worker development. In a field experiment, 1,787 Engineering majors were randomly assigned to 6-month work terms to begin either in the second or third year of studies. Early exposure caused systematic differences in inclination to take Engineering elective courses, choice of major, and the probability of persisting in Engineering years later—consistent with engagement, retention, and sorting effects. Early exposure notably increased academic and professional outcomes of lower-income students.
Keywords: engineering education; field experiment; professional work experience; human capital; academic outcomes
JEL Codes: I21; J23; O3
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Inclination to take engineering elective courses (A22) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Choice of major (M49) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Probability of persisting in engineering (C41) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Higher grades for lower-income students (I24) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Higher wages for lower-income students (J31) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Greater likelihood of joining larger employers for lower-income students (I24) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Lower academic performance for international students (D29) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Lower academic performance for low-GPA students (D29) |
| Early professional work experience (J44) | Likelihood of females pursuing engineering employment (J21) |