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ED482529 - Work First, Study Second: Adult Undergraduates Who Combine Employment and Postsecondary Enrollment. Postsecondary Educational Descriptive Analysis Reports

Category
Executive Agency Publications
Collection
Education Reports from ERIC
SuDoc Class Number
ED 1.615:
Date Issued
August 1, 2003
Author
Berker, Ali; Horn, Laura; Carroll, C. Dennis
Source Institution
MPR Associates, Berkeley, CA
Sponsoring Agency
National Center for Education Statistics (ED), Washington, DC
Publication Type
Numerical/Quantitative Data, Reports - Research
Subject
Academic Persistence, Adult Students, Bachelors Degrees, Educational Certificates, Fringe Benefits, Full Time Students, Nontraditional Students, Outcomes of Education, Part Time Employment, Part Time Students, Paying for College, Postsecondary Education, Student Educational Objectives, Student Employment, Student Financial Aid, "Undergraduate Students, Withdrawal (Education)
Abstract
Working adult undergraduates can be broken into two groups: employees who study (those who work full-time and pursue postsecondary education to obtain skills necessary to advance in their careers) and students who work (those who work part-time and attend school full-time). In 1999-2000 roughly two-thirds of working undergraduates aged 24 or older reported that work was their primary activity, and among these nearly 70% combined full-time work with part-time attendance. These working adults make up a large percentage of the undergraduate population and nearly one-half received some sort of financial aid, including one-quarter who received aid from their employers. However, full-time work and part-time attendance combined with family responsibilities appeared to be barriers to completing a credential. Despite the fact that most employees who study thought it was important to earn a formal credential, 62% had not done so within 6 years. Moreover, among those who left, most did so in their first year. In contrast, their counterparts whose focus was on postsecondary enrollment students who work experienced more positive educational outcomes. These students, who were more likely to have fewer family responsibilities, were more likely to earn postsecondary credentials, especially bachelor's degrees. (Appendices include a glossary, technical notes and methodology, and supplementary tables. Contains 31 tables, 9 figures, and 16 references.).