Prepared by Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator
This winter 261 student surveys were collected from all four Pickaway County School Districts (Circleville City School District, Logan Elm Local School District Teays Valley Local School District, and Westfall Local School District); refer to Graph 1. Approximately 15 questions were asked related to students’ work experience, wages, driver’s license status, current knowledge of education and training requirements for a chosen career path, and post-educational plans students were considering after high school.
Driver’s License and Part-time Employment
Of the total student respondents, 61% of students had a driver’s license and 39% had a part-time job; refer to graph 2 and graph 3.
Of the students with part-time employment, 53% also had a driver’s license, while 28% had a part-time job but not a driver’s license. Effectively, students with a driver’s license were 25% more likely to also have a part-time job; refer to graph 4.
Additional feedback was gathered from students who did not have a driver’s license, as to the reasons. The responses were grouped into 10 categories. The top three reasons are no time (36%), in process, In-Cars (21%), or no money (10%); refer to graph 5.
Part-time Employment and Wages
Of the students who reported having a part-time job, 96% provided their employer’s name, and 87% provided both their employer’s name and wage rate. The employers were grouped into 13 different job sectors for analysis; refer to Graph 8. Part-time wages reported ranged from $5 to $17 per hour. The top three wage rates paid were $12, $10, and $15 per hour, respectively; reference Graph 6.
A further breakdown of wage rates found that 20% of students were paid below the minimum wage of $10.10, 52% of students were paid above the minimum wage, and 28% paid $15 per hour or above; reference graph 7. Employers reported by students paying $15 or more were McDonald’s, Starbucks, Sheetz, Bob Evans, Kroger, Speedy Mufflerman, Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Wyngate, Walmart, and Angel Lighting.
The food service sector was the most popular employment sector for students to find part-time work. These employers ranged from McDonald’s, Goodwins, Starbucks, KFC, Dairy Shed, Joyhouse Coffee, Burger King, Watt Street, Jimmy Johns, Sheetz, Bob Evans, City BBQ, Dairy Queen, Olive Garden, Arby’s, and Longhorn. The supermarkets and convenience stores, retail, and recreation sectors were other top sectors for part-time employment opportunities. These employers ranged from Sutherlands, Circleville Nutrition, Rural King, Kroger, Pettit’s, YMCA, Pinnacle Golf Club, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Walmart; refer to Graph 8. A few higher-paying outliers worth mentioning came from the automotive, electrical & lighting, retail, and senior living managed care sectors; refer to graph 8.
Career and Education Knowledge
More than 90% of students felt they had identified a chosen career path, but only 72% of students reported that they knew the education and training required for their chosen careers. That left approximately 25% of students who did not know what educational and training path to pursue or what the employment outlook was for their chosen career; refer to graph 9.
Post High School Plans
When students were asked about plans after high school, 50% of students reported they wanted to attend a 4-year college or university. However, the next largest grouping of students, 23%, were still undecided; refer to Graph 10.
If successful, 22% of the students seeking education and/or training after graduation will be the first in their families to complete a higher level of education above a high school diploma; refer to Graph 11.
Strategic Next Step Questions
The student survey results provided a baseline for next steps. Pickaway WORKS is already planning to follow up with students and student ambassadors for a deeper dive into three areas of interest: student driver’s licensing, part-time student employment, and post-secondary education and career pathway programming.
- How can Pickaway WORKS remove barriers for students interested in getting their driver’s license? Are there programs or partnerships that could be developed to help students with limited time get their driver’s licenses? Is there a way to decrease the wait time for In-Cars driving practice? Are there scholarship or grant opportunities that can fund students with financial hardships?
- How can Pickaway WORKS support students more in balancing school and part-time employment opportunities? Can Pickaway WORKS help students and businesses build or maintain a database that connects students to employers; e.g., Ohio Means Jobs or School Links?
- How can Pickaway WORKS be more intentional with programming and follow-up to ensure all students graduating have identified one or two career paths, and know the education or training required, and the job outlook for their chosen career?
* Additional student survey information was gathered from students which was useful and will inform future campus tour programming decisions, but not included in this report.
This report was prepared in partnership with OSU Extension, Pickaway County. Meghan Thoreau, Extension Educator, worked with Executive Director, Christy Mills, to compile data, create graphics, and develop report, https://pickaway.osu.edu/, thoreau.1@osu.edu.
2050 Stoneridge Drive, Circleville, Ohio 43113 | 740-474-5383 | highered@pickaway.org | www.pickawayworks.com