Labor Market Trajectories for Community College Graduates: How Returns to Certificates and Associate's degrees Evolve Over Time

We estimate labor market returns to terminal associate's degrees and certificates, with a particular focus on how returns for different credential types evolve over a longer period of time (11 years post entry) than most of the prior literature. We also explore how returns vary depending on labor market conditions and on which labor market outcome metric is used. Using administrative data from Ohio and an individual fixed-effects approach, we find that the value of an associate's degree grows substantially after graduation, and this finding is robust to choice of specification and outcome. The returns to a long-term certificate are flat over time in our main specification, but more sensitive to assumptions about individual-specific earnings trends. Returns to associate's degrees are notably higher in recession years versus pre-recession years. Finally, we find that associate's degrees lead to improved outcomes relative to non-completion across a range of metrics, including higher paying jobs, more stability in employment over time, and a greater likelihood of earning a living wage, while certificates generally pay off via the employment margin and a reduced likelihood of claiming unemployment insurance.

Using Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice to Investigate the Experience of Ontario College Graduates Who Are Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian, and Seek Career Employment and Permanent Residency in Canada

The thesis explores international community college graduates' from three former Soviet Republics experience transitioning from college to the labor market in Canada. Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of practice provides the theoretical framework to analyse the labour-market integration of 14 women and 16 men. The data collected from in-depth interviews and document analysis reveal that each participant in the study belongs to one of three distinct age groups. Differing significantly in terms of career habitus and career capital, the members of the three groups have distinctly different labour-market outcomes.

Exploring Critical Factors of Self Concept among High Income Community College Graduates

<p class="apa">This study was undertaken to explore the critical factors influencing the self-concept of community college graduates in the development of their careers. Individuals with a positive self-concept are often associated with a good career choices and a well-panned career development path. Hence community college students should be girded with a positive self-concept to ensure success in their future careers. This qualitative research using multiple case study methods involved 15 community college graduates who have been relatively successful in their respective careers and were able to generate high incomes. Further data obtained were analysed using NVivo 8.0 to determine the relevant themes that emerged. The study observed the presence of five critical internal factors influencing self-concept: congruence, boldness in facing a challenge, vision, skills and experience.</p>