Funded Research by Theme

The Effect of Letters of Recommendation in the Youth Labor Market

The Effect of Letters of Recommendation in the Youth Labor Market

Sara Heller

This funding supports research manager salary to manage a research project studying the effects of letters of recommendation in the youth labor market. In this project, youth who participated in the 2016 and 2017 New York City Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) are randomly assigned to be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from their SYEP supervisor or not. Letters of recommendation based on SYEP supervisor feedback are generated on behalf supervisors for eligible youth who supervisors rate as well-performing employees. Employment, earnings, and educational impacts of being eligible to receive a letter are then measured using data obtained from the New York State Department of Labor and the New York City Department of Education.

This funding supports research manager salary to manage a research project studying the effects of letters of recommendation in the youth labor market. In this project, youth who participated in the 2016 and 2017 New York City Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) are randomly assigned to be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from their SYEP supervisor or not. Letters of recommendation based on SYEP supervisor feedback are generated on behalf supervisors for eligible youth who supervisors rate as well-performing employees. Employment, earnings, and educational impacts of being eligible to receive a letter are then measured using data obtained from the New York State Department of Labor and the New York City Department of Education.

Funding source: Laura and John Arnold Foundation

Funding period: 2/1/22-8/31/22