Research Initiatives
The Institute is involved in research projects across a wide
range of topics that focus on education and employment, specifically
for the college educated segment of the labor force. Our efforts
are truly collaborative as we work with faculty and professionals
from a variety of disciplines (psychology, management, economics,
sociology, communications and education). While MSU students
and graduates are often the target population for our studies,
because of convenience and cost considerations, every effort
is made to engage in activities with colleagues from other
campuses and in the private sector (employers, consultants)
and government.
Areas with active research initiatives:
A. Labor markets
a. National college labor market review
which is conducted annually. See Recruiting Trends.
b. Teacher Hiring in Michigan. Every other
year a survey of Michigan public school districts captures
the hiring patterns at the local level. Attention is given
to the difficulties in hiring specific grade levels and
subject areas.
B. Early Career of College Graduates
a. Socialization in the Workplace
b. Skill and competency utilization
c. Career progression
C. Transition: The Senior Year
a. Job Search Strategies
b. Resource/Technology Utilization
c. Employer Strategies/Candidate Evaluation
D. Transition: Between First
Year and Senior Year
a. The Sophomore Year
b. Integrated Learning: Work, Study, Service
c. Skill/Competency Development through
Engagement
d. Student Assets and Career Development
E. Assessment (Outcomes)
a. Assessing practices are tied to our
senior exit survey and recent graduate update. See separate
section on “Assessment Support.”
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