Beyond college for all: Portrait of rapid and successful school-to-work transitions among vulnerable youth.

Abstract

For noncollege-bound youth, swiftly finding a satisfying job upon exiting compulsory schooling might support adjustment. Yet, youths' own job perceptions have rarely been considered in school-to-work transition research. Sequence analysis of monthly occupational status over 4 years (ages 16-20) in a low socioeconomic status Canadian sample overrepresenting academically-vulnerable youth (N = 386; 50% male; 23% visible minority) generated five school-to-work pathways: two work-bound ones with jobs perceived as aligned with career goals (Career Job, 10%) or not (Fill-In Job, 26%), alongside three others (Disconnected [15%], Prolonged Secondary Education [25%], Postsecondary Education [24%]). Mental health was strongest in the Career Job pathway. Male sex and adolescent employment were precursors to this advantageous pathway, underscoring the crucial role of work experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).