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Papers by Michael Seeborg

The American Economist

A very high percentage of sub-Saharan African college-graduate immigrants in the United States ha... more A very high percentage of sub-Saharan African college-graduate immigrants in the United States have college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines compared with native-born college graduates. This study uses a pooled cross-section (2013–2018) from the American Community Survey to compare the distribution of undergraduate majors of sub-Saharan African immigrants and native-born college graduates. We estimate ordinary least square (OLS) earnings functions that include detailed college major variables. We find that undergraduate major area of study is a significant predictor of earnings and that there is an overrepresentation of sub-Saharan African immigrants with high-paying undergraduate majors. However, after controlling for human capital differences, college-educated African immigrants have not achieved pay equity with their native-born counterparts. JEL Classifications: J61, J15, J26, I21

Atlantic Economic Journal

Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC)

This paper argues that capstone courses in economics should be integrative experiences that requi... more This paper argues that capstone courses in economics should be integrative experiences that require students to demonstrate six core proficiencies. The capstone economics senior seminar at Illinois Wesleyan University is used as an example of how a capstone course that requires completion of an original research paper might achieve these proficiencies. Also, carefully designed co-curricular activities, such as student-edited undergraduate journals, and participation in undergraduate research conferences are recommended as complements to capstone research courses.

Journal of Business & Economics Research (JBER)

The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data base is used to explore the effects of changes in ... more The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data base is used to explore the effects of changes in marital status on the standard of living of a sample of young adults. OLS regression analysis indicates that changes in marital status have very different effects on young women and young men. Women receive large increases in their income-to-needs ratios when they marry, and they incur large declines in their income-to-needs ratios after experiencing a divorce or separation. Men, on the other hand, do not experience significant changes in their income-to-needs ratios when their marital status changes.

International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2010

This paper explores the earnings differentials between female immigrants from 14 places of origin... more This paper explores the earnings differentials between female immigrants from 14 places of origin when compared to each other and a number of other groups. The very large differences in average earnings between female immigrant groups are found to be largely due to human capital and family characteristic differences. The study employs OLS regression to make earnings comparisons between immigrant women from each of the 14 places of origin to three reference groups. We find that although female immigrants from most countries are doing well relative to female natives, they fall significantly behind native males and male immigrants, even after controlling for differences in human capital. Thus, some groups of immigrant women suffer a double disadvantage in the U.S. workforce, one due to gender and the other due to their relatively low levels of human capital.

The Journal of Economics, 2010

Monthly Labor Review, Nov 1, 1984

Journal of Economics, 1994

This paper explores the detenninants of enlistment for a large sample of male youth drawn from th... more This paper explores the detenninants of enlistment for a large sample of male youth drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Logit results indicate that the probability of en1istment is directly related to minority and poverty ,tatus while controlling for ability and a number of other socioeconomic background variables. In addition, an analysis of poverty transitioRB show that a very Ia.rge percentage of enlistees in the early 19805 who were living in poverty at age 17 were successful in escaping poverty by 1990. An importsnt conclusion is that the military can serve as a mechanism of upward economic mobility for disadvantaged youth.

Journal of Behavioral Economics, 1978

International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2011

The recent implementation of post-tenure review programs at many American universities is an inte... more The recent implementation of post-tenure review programs at many American universities is an interesting and controversial trend. Some of these systems are "developmental" and unthreatening while others are "summative" and can lead to the dismissal of under-performing faculty members. This paper argues that because of the unique nature of academic labor markets, summative review systems may not be appropriate for most universities. By weakening the institution of tenure, summative post-tenure review systems decrease academic freedom. They also reduce efficiency within universities by discouraging collegiality and collaboration. We propose that universities in need of systems of post-tenure review establish "developmental" programs that do not threaten academic freedom or weaken the institution of tenure. These systems give faculty members a chance to critically evaluate past performance and motivate them to develop professionally. A developmental post-t...

Journal of Economics, 1996

ABs'rRACT. This study uses the National Longitudinal Survey of youth to estimate the effects of t... more ABs'rRACT. This study uses the National Longitudinal Survey of youth to estimate the effects of tee nage motherhood on the educational attainment of young women. 11le results of an OLS regression with interaction tennl demonstrate that the effects of teena.gc motherhood on education depends on the socio-eco nomic background of the mother. Estimations show that young women from economically advantaged backgrounds sacrifice morc than one year oC education as a result of teenage motherhood while those from disadvantaged backgrounds sacrifice little, if any, education. Statistically significant interactions are found between teenage motherhood and several background characteristics. (Jl3, 124

Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 2013

Although there are currently only a few undergraduate journals in economics, we expect their numb... more Although there are currently only a few undergraduate journals in economics, we expect their numbers to increase substantially in the future because of several developments: 1) research and writing activity is increasing in economics programs, 2) online publication is now more feasible and cost efficient than ever, and 3) students are increasingly aware of their on-line identity and desire to project a positive and professional image. Since increasing use of undergraduate journals might benefit a number of students, including potential article authors, article reviewers, and editors, there is a need to begin to assess the educational benefits of participation in journals. This paper reports results from a survey of reviewers who had reviewed articles for two undergraduate journals, The Park Place Economist and The Undergraduate Economic Review. The reviewers generally agreed that they received a range of benefits from the review process and nearly all agreed that reviewing had been ...