Full Citation

Title: The Influence of Non-cognitive Skills on Young People's Occupational Choice

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2010

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI:

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of non-cognitive skills in the occupational choices of young workers entering the U.S. labor market. We find entry into male-dominated fields of study and male-dominated occupations are both related to the extent to which individuals believe they are intelligent and have "male" traits while entry into male-dominated occupations is also related to the willingness to work hard, impulsivity, and the tendency to avoid problems. The nature of these relationships differs for men and women, however. Non-cognitive skills (male traits, intelligence, and impulsivity) also influence movement into higher-paid occupations in a similar way for men and women. Finally, we find evidence that supply-side factors may push highly-educated students who have male traits into male-dominated disciplines. Demand-side factors may push highly-educated male workers who tackle problems into male dominated-occupations, while at the same time restraining highly-educated women who are analytical and tackle problems from entering male-dominated occupations. JEL:

Url: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/economics/_files/Seminar-Papers/sem20100222.pdf

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Antecol, Heather; Cobb-Clark, Deborah A

Publisher: Claremont McKenna College

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Other

Countries: