Full Citation
Title: Reshaping Aspirations: The Effects of the Great Recession on College Major Choice
Citation Type: Working Paper
Publication Year: 2018
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ISSN: 1556-5068
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2746337
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Abstract: How did the Great Recession affect the college degree field choices? Utilizing the geographic variation in the severity of the recession in the US, I answer this question using the differences-indifferences and synthetic controls approaches. I find that the Great Recession affected Communication, Interdisciplinary Sciences, and Psychology fields positively whereas it impacted Science and Engineering Technologies field negatively. To explore whether these impacts were systematic, I categorize fields based on their sensitivity to the Great Recession. The results show that there was a shift from recession-sensitive majors towards recession-resistant majors, suggesting students' expectations about future labor market outcomes are affected by current shocks. JEL Codes: I23, I26, J24
Url: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2746337
Url: https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=2746337
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Authors: Ersoy, Fulya
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Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Education
Countries: United States