Work First, Study Second. Adult Undergraduates Who Combine Employment and Postsecondary Enrollment

摘要

About 43 percent of undergraduates who were enrolled in postsecondary education during the 1999-2000 academic year were age 24 or older. Most of these older undergraduates (82 percent) worked while enrolled in postsecondary education. In total, these working adults made up roughly one-third of the undergraduate population. This study examines the characteristics and educational experiences of working adult undergraduates, focusing on those who considered employment their primary activity. The analysis compares two groups of working adults according to the emphasis or importance they placed on work and postsecondary enrollment when they were asked: 'While you were enrolled and working would you say you were primarily: 1) a student working to meet expenses or 2) an employee who decided to enroll in school.' Throughout this report, students who identified themselves as employees who decided to enroll in school are referred to as 'employees who study,' while those who identified themselves as students working to meet expenses are referred to as 'students who work.'