Pathways into work: Short- and long-term effects of personal and institutional ties

Although youths are often confined in jobs that allow minimal gains in earn ings, the authors used quantitative data to examine whether any kinds of jo b contact allow youths to get jobs that lead to later higher earnings and u se qualitative data to illustrate school job contacts and the ways they can hel disadvantaged groups. Analyzing data from High School and Beyond, the authors found that most types of contacts have little effect on early earni ngs, but relatives and school contacts place Students in jobs that lead to higher earnings nine years later (at age 28). Blacks, Young women, and high -achieving youths less often get their jabs from relatives but more often g et jobs through school contacts. The findings indicate the theoretical impo rtance of social contacts and previously overlooked ways that high schools improve the work-entry process for youths, especially blacks and females.