Leadership Studies Ed.D. Dissertations

The Academic and Co-Curricular Factors That Predict Full-Time Job Placement and Starting Salary Upon Graduation for College of Business Students

Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Rachel Reinhart (Committee Chair)

Second Advisor

Paul Johnson (Committee Member)

Third Advisor

Deborah O'Neil (Committee Member)

Fourth Advisor

Gretchen Carroll (Committee Member)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the Academic and Co-Curricular factors that predict Full-Time Job Placement and Starting Salary upon graduation for college of business students. The sample consisted of 630 graduating college of business students at a mid-sized, four-year public institution in the Midwestern United States. Data were collected from 2009-2012 utilizing the College of Business Administration Senior Survey (CBASS), which was administered at each graduation ceremony in the years under study. Three research questions guided the analysis. The first research question examined which Academic and Co-Curricular factors predict Full-Time Job Placement upon graduation. Results of a logistic regression revealed a three-factor predictive model indicating that Degree of Internship Participation, G.P.A., and Area of Specialization were all significant predictors of Full-Time Job Placement. The second research question examined which Academic and Co-Curricular factors predicted Starting Salary. A one-factor predictive model resulted from a forward multiple regression, indicating that only Degree of Internship Participation predicted Starting Salary. Finally, the third research question examined if Internship Participation or Degree of Internship Participation predicted Job Attainment in Area of Specialization. Results of a logistic regression revealed that Degree of Internship Participation positively significantly predicted Job Attainment in Area of Specialization. Given the increasingly tenuous nature of the job market and an ever-changing global economy, the need to assist students in best positioning themselves for successful initial post-graduation employment is vital. The results of this study suggest that Academic and Co-Curricular factors, and in particular Degree of Internship Participation, Area of Specialization, and G.P.A., do have the ability to predict more positive employment outcomes for graduates. The leadership guidance provided and subsequent effort students put forth could have a significant impact upon job placement and starting salary. Recommendations are made to assist students in leveraging their academic performance and co-curricular experiences.

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