the pursuit of continuing education

The Pursuit of The Pursuit of Continuing EducationContinuing Education

Bill GuerinJustin Astrin

OverviewOverview

Continuing Education◦Beyond Bachelor’s Degree

Poor Job Market◦Layoffs, cutbacks◦More time to take a class

Degrees for In Demand Jobs◦Legal ◦Healthcare◦Business Administration

OverviewOverview

Interviews◦Larry Brown, Director of Non-Traditional

Learners program at Misericordia University 50/50 Average age 33

◦Josh Savitski & Karen Alessi, MBA Program Average age 28

Low because of undergrads going into Master’s programs

Research QuestionResearch Question

How does the recovering job market influence people to choose higher education?

Relevant FactorsRelevant Factors

GenderAgeRecent lay-off?Tuition reimbursement?Family to support (not including self)?Carry the insurance benefits?Average hours per week worked?Institutional Reputation

Research HypothesisResearch Hypothesis

In result of the economic downturn, students are continuing their education with expectations of excelling in their current career, or beginning a new career path.

Target AudienceTarget Audience

Students enrolled at least part-time in a graduate or professional program.

Survey MethodSurvey Method

Distributed◦Wilkes University◦Penn State, Branch Campuses

57 surveys collected

Survey LimitationsSurvey Limitations

Denied access to survey at many local institutions

Survey QuestionsSurvey Questions

Pertained to:◦Gender◦Age Range◦Marital Status◦Geographical

Location◦Employment Status◦Enrollment Status

Degree

◦Institution Type◦Advancement within

or Change Path◦Plan of Payment

Reimbursement GPA requirement

◦Family Size Carry Health Benefits

◦Job Outlook Open ended

AveragesAverages

Hours Worked per Week◦36.75

Family Size◦1.6 (not including student)

Credits ◦6.6

Reputation of Institution◦1.8 = Important

1 SHT Proportion1 SHT Proportion

Do Not Reject Null!Do Not Reject Null!

We have found that tuition reimbursement programs from an employer do not have a substantial impact on one's decision to return to school.

The majority of those surveyed are receiving some form of tuition reimbursement, whether partial or full.

A side note: they must maintain a GPA anywhere from a 2.0 to a 3.5.

1 SHT for the Mean1 SHT for the Mean

Reject the Null!Reject the Null!

On average, reputation was an important factor when one decided on what school to attend.

We can infer that those surveyed wanted to graduate with a degree that holds prestige so that they can advance their career, whether a total career change, or advancement within their current employer.


Having a family more than 3 (besides self) has an impact on returning to school.

Since the majority of our data had families of 3 or less, we can infer that those with larger families aren't in school.

2 SHT Proportion2 SHT Proportion


We can infer that 25-34 year olds are going back to school because they are dissatisfied with their current career and want to go in a different direction.

Many personal factors may influence this.


Hours per week worked has an impact on Current Enrollment Status.

By observation, those who are enrolled Full Time (9 credits) work 35 hours or less on average per week.

This test includes those who are currently laid off as well.

Single Linear RegressionSingle Linear Regression

Null: There is no impact on an increasing number of credits and holding insurance benefits.

Alternative: There is an impact on an increasing number of credits and holding insurance benefits.

SLR OutputSLR Output

Do Not Reject the Null!Do Not Reject the Null!

p value> alpha.

Our data states that for every fifth of a credit that one carries they are more likely to carry the insurance benefits as well.

A fifth of a credit is so small that it realistically has no impact.

Multiple Linear RegressionMultiple Linear Regression

Null: Gender and Size of Family have no impact on one's preference to Change or Advance their career.

Alternative: Gender and Size of Family do have an impact on one's preference to Change or Advance their career.

MLR OutputMLR Output

Do Not Reject the Null!Do Not Reject the Null!

p value> alpha

Gender and Size of Family alone have no impact on one's preference to Change or Advance their career.

Multiple Linear RegressionMultiple Linear Regression

Null: Gender, Average Hours Worked/Week, and Size of Family have no impact on preference to change or advance career

Alternative Gender, Average Hours Worked/Week, and Size of Family have some influence on preference to change or advance career

MLR OutputMLR Output


p value< alpha.

Gender, Average Hours Worked/ Week, and Size of Family have an impact on preference to change or advance career.

What does this all mean?What does this all mean?

Majority Age RangeFactors we projected to have substantial

impacts◦Tuition Reimbursement◦Reputation◦Large Family Size◦Average Hours Worked per Week

Approve or Disprove?Approve or Disprove?

Given the results from the tests that we ran we feel as if our Research Hypothesis holds true. Taking a look at the majority age range of 25-34 in combination with the preceding factors we feel it is safe to infer that these individuals are having tougher times finding jobs. Therefore returning to school in order to advance their current profession (of those that do have jobs) or change their profession.

For Future ReferenceFor Future Reference

Include more quantitative type questions in survey

Ensure a broader range of sample locations

A sensitive topic for those who were laid off◦List a false response

QuestionsQuestions

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