2012 Reports

Employer Perceptions of Associate Degrees in Local Labor Markets: A Case Study of the Employment of Information Technology Technicians in Detroit and Seattle

Van Noy, Michelle; Jacobs, James

Based on fieldwork in two distinct labor markets, this Brief compares how associate and bachelor's degrees are perceived by employers seeking to hire IT technicians. The study finds that there are particular positive and negative qualities, such as hands-on skills and lack of academic initiative, that hiring managers expect to find almost exclusively among associate degree holders. The findings also suggest that perceptions of credentials vary by local labor market characteristics.