What’s in a Job? Evaluating the Effect of Private Sector Employment Experience on Student Academic Outcomes

Abstract

Although subsidized summer jobs programs have been shown to improve youth outcomes, little is known about the effects of private sector employment experiences. We study a unique program that brokers employer-paid summer internships for youth across a variety of industries and occupations. Using administrative data, we employ fixed effects and matching models to estimate the impact of these internships on academic outcomes. We find that private sector job experience significantly increases attendance, reduces course failures, and raises proficiency on statewide exams. Participants are more likely to take the SAT and enroll in college with a shift from two-year to four-year institutions.