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From Theory to Practice: Field Experimental Evidence on Early Exposure of Engineering Majors to Professional Work

Author

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  • 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin J. Boudreau & Matt Marx, 2019. "From Theory to Practice: Field Experimental Evidence on Early Exposure of Engineering Majors to Professional Work," NBER Working Papers 26013, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:26013
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefan Dimitriadis & Rembrand Koning, 2022. "Social Skills Improve Business Performance: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial with Entrepreneurs in Togo," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(12), pages 8635-8657, December.
    2. Benjamin Niswonger, 2022. "What You See is What You Get: Local Labor Markets and Skill Acquisition," Papers 2209.03892, arXiv.org.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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