In the NLSY79 Young Adult, a respondent's work status can be determined by three constructed variables per round. These variables give users summary measures of the work status of Young Adult respondents on the date of their interview in each round. These new variables are as follows:

WORKyy: WORK STATUS AT DATE OF INTERVIEW – CONSTRUCTED (Rs aged 18 or older)

• 0 No current job at the date of interview
• 1 Working 30 or more hours per week the date of interview (all jobs)
• 2 Working less than 30 hours per week the date of interview (all jobs)

NUMCURJOBSyy: NUMBER OF CURRENT JOBS AT DATE OF INTERVIEW – CONSTRUCTED

TOTHOURSyy: TOTAL HOURS USUALLY WORKED AT ALL JOBS CURRENT ON THE DATE OF INTERVIEW – CONSTRUCTED

Users should note that the WORKyy variables are constructed only for respondents aged 18 or older at the date of interview. The method of collecting labor force participation of younger respondents has varied historically. From 1994 to 1998, respondents aged 18 and younger who reported employment such as babysitting, lawn mowing, and such did so in the same manner as more regular employment. Since 2000, respondents who are aged 18 and under are asked whether they have had these kinds of odd jobs and/or regular employment. A limited number of questions, modelled after those in the Child Self-Administered Supplement, are asked about odd jobs, while much more extensive questions are asked about regular jobs. 

The other work status variables are constructed for all respondents, including the number of current jobs and the total hours worked at all current jobs. Users should be cognizant, however, that the NUMCURJOBSyy and TOTHOURSyy variables for 2000 to the present may understate the work done by younger Young Adults.