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Our Research

Insight and strategies to build an inclusive and sustainable workforce by recognizing the skills and potential of STARs

Barriers and Breakthroughs: Framework to Improve STAR Economic Mobility

Barriers and Breakthroughs: Framework to Improve STAR Economic Mobility

Reach for the STARs: Skills and Economic Mobility in the AI Economy

Reach for the STARs: Skills and Economic Mobility in the AI Economy

Navigating with the STARs: Reimagining Equitable Pathways to Mobility

Navigating with the STARs: Reimagining Equitable Pathways to Mobility

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Our data on STARs changed the national conversation around workforce.

Opportunity@Work’s analytical and research capabilities inform the nation’s understanding of STARs' potential in the labor market and uncover insights that show how to make positive economic change within regions and industries, and within groups of STARs.

Our research has been featured in:

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Two Job Families Could Hold the Key to Expanding Pathways for Black STARs
Blogs
Two Job Families Could Hold the Key to Expanding Pathways for Black STARs

A report from Human Resources consulting company Mercer found that across industries in the U.S., Black workers are underrepresented at every career level above support staff when compared to their representation in the general population.

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There Are 6 Million Black Workers Missing From Your Talent Pool
Article
There Are 6 Million Black Workers Missing From Your Talent Pool

In addition to the 5.3 million Black workers with college degrees, Opportunity@Work has identified 10 million Black workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes, such as associate degrees, credential training programs, on-the-job learning, and self-guided learning at the kitchen table.

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IBM, Merck and OneTen launch network to recruit and promote Black workers over the next decade
Article
IBM, Merck and OneTen launch network to recruit and promote Black workers over the next decade

IBM, Merck and OneTen created a network that will help hire and promote 1 million Black workers into higher paying jobs.

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About 60 million jobs have been deemed essential during the COVID-19 crisis
Video
About 60 million jobs have been deemed essential during the COVID-19 crisis

Two-thirds of essential workers are STARs. This data story demonstrates their contributions to COVID-19 response and the disparate impacts of the pandemic on women and people of color.

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Black STARs Have Always Been Essential, But Will We Recognize It?
Blogs
Black STARs Have Always Been Essential, But Will We Recognize It?

Two-thirds of our 63 million essential workers are Skilled through Alternative Routes (STARs) instead of through a four-year college degree.

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STARs have been essential during COVID-19
Article
STARs have been essential during COVID-19

More than half of the nation’s 142 million active workforce are STARs, skilled workers without four-year college degrees.

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As Talent Demands Increase, STARs Are The Solution
Article
As Talent Demands Increase, STARs Are The Solution

STARs – workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes, other than a bachelor’s degree – are exactly what is needed to build a stronger workforce, and a more inclusive talent ecosystem, for the 21st century.

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The majority of Americans lack a college degree. Why do so many employers require one?
Article
The majority of Americans lack a college degree. Why do so many employers require one?

College-degree discrimination has become so widespread that many take it for granted.

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Our Heritage is Our Strength: 8 Pieces of Advice for Hispanic STARs
Blogs
Our Heritage is Our Strength: 8 Pieces of Advice for Hispanic STARs

Of the 25.6 million Hispanic workers in the labor force, 54% are STARs. And, while those workers are represented in every occupation, they are overrepresented in lower-wage jobs, earning a median wage of $19.00 an hour. This of course should not be the case.

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STAR Research Community

Activating a collaborative community of researchers

We conduct our own research, but that’s only the beginning. We also seek out and encourage the participation of research partners and collaborators.

Our goal? To inspire others to pursue new research—and question conventional wisdom on our workers, talent management practices, and workforce development. Over time, the available data and insights will multiply, delivering answers to every question that’s at the heart of economic mobility for STARs.

Visit the Research Community

Our Research Partners

Senior Advisors to Opportunity@Work’s STARs Research Network

Adina Sterling

Associate Professor of Management

Erica Groshen

Former Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Peter Q. Blair

Assistant Professor, Harvard University

STAR Stories

Read about the barriers, challenges, and possibilities that STARs are seeing today — and why they're hopeful for a brighter future.

Read STAR Stories

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