ERIC Number: ED606009
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2378-7929
EISSN: N/A
Entering the Skilled Technical Workforce after College. Research Brief. RTI Press Publication RB-0024-2004
Chen, Xianglei; Rotermund, Susan
RTI International
This research brief uses nationally representative data from the 2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/17) to examine post-college transitions of US undergraduates into the skilled technical workforce (STW), defined here as workers in a collection of occupations that require significant levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge but not necessarily a bachelor's degree for entry. Thus far, empirical research on the STW has been limited by a dearth of data; however, based on newly available data from BPS:12/17, the findings in this report indicate that STW employment provides workers with above-median salaries, more equitable wages, a variety of benefits, and clear career paths. STW jobs attract diverse populations, especially those from underrepresented groups (e.g., Hispanics, individuals from low-income backgrounds, and those whose parents do not have college education). US community colleges and sub-baccalaureate programs play a large role in developing the STW. [For the "2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/17)," see ED606008.]
Descriptors: Postsecondary Education, Undergraduate Students, STEM Education, Employment Level, Job Skills, Skilled Occupations, Gender Differences, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Hispanic Americans, Low Income Groups, Parent Background, Educational Attainment, Salaries, Technical Occupations, Socioeconomic Status, Outcomes of Education, Majors (Students), Job Satisfaction, Academic Degrees, Educational Certificates, Fringe Benefits
RTI International. P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Tel: 919-541-6000; e-mail: rtipress@rti.org; Web site: https://www.rti.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: RTI International
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A