This article explores the nature and implications of secondary students' participation in paid employment in Ireland.The analysis draws on a comprehensive survey of one-sixth of secondary schools. Results indicate that working part-time is associated with underperformance at upper secondary level and also leads to increased dropout. In line with research in other countries, part-time employment tends to draw students away from their studies. Such underperformance at upper secondary level persists regardless of the level of involvement in out-of-school social activities. Results hold when propensity score matching methods are employed to take account of possible selection effects.The discussion points to the crucial importance of early educational qualifications in longer-term and lifelong labour market outcomes; and highlights the importance of addressing the issue of student employment given its impact on educational outcomes.
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