Effects of career preparation experiences on the initial employment success of college graduates

The effectiveness of supplementary career preparation experiences is concei ved as universal or conditional, the latter either enhancing existing asset s such as ability or overcoming deficits such as lack of specialized prepar ation. Logistic regression was used to analyze the responses of 1,012 bacca laureate graduates to a questionnaire survey one month following graduation . Effectiveness was defined as securing baccalaureate level employment. Wor k experience related to career goals was the only experience of universal e ffectiveness, with participation in student organizations of marginal signi ficance. Positive conditional effects, however, were found for internships, work experiences related to career goals, advanced skills courses in quant itative analysis and writing, and participation in student organizations. T hese latter experiences were primarily asset enhancers for those with speci alized preparation. An interpretation is offered incorporating labor market conditions and employer behavior as constructs.