Francis M. Dillon

Francis Dillon, William Kerr, Sari Pekkala Kerr, Andrew J. Wang (2025), Positioned at Extremes: Future Job Placements of Immigrant Students at U.S. Colleges, International Migration Review.

Abstract: Immigrant students who attend U.S. colleges are disproportionately employed in either large firms—especially multinationals—or small firms and self-employment. Using linked Census and longitudinal employment data, we trace the jobs taken by college students in 2000 during the 2001-20 period and evaluate four mechanisms shaping sector and firm size placement: geographic clustering, degree specialization, firm capabilities/visas, and ethnic self-employment specialization. Degree fields predict large firm and MNE placement, while ethnic specialization explains small firm sorting. Immigrant students who remain in the U.S. earn more than their native peers, suggesting the segmentation reflects productive sorting rather than blocked opportunity.

Francis Dillon, Edward Glaeser, William Kerr (2025), Workplace Segregation between College and Noncollege Workers, AEA Papers and Proceedings.

Abstract: We measure the level and growth of educational segregation in US workplaces from 2000 to 2020. US workplaces showed an educational segregation, measured by the degree to which the establishment has mostly workers of similar education levels, that is comparable to racial residential segregation in a typical metro area. Workplace isolation was particularly high for young and male workers without college degrees. The isolation of noncollege workers is increasing over time. In a companion work, we document that the career trajectories of noncollege workers were diminished when they were in establishments in 2000 that contained fewer college-educated workers.

Francis Dillon, Nida Cakir Melek, A. Lee Smith Gasoline Prices Unlikely to Bring Down Inflation in 2023.

Francis Dillon, Nida Cakir Melek, A. Lee Smith Can Higher Gasoline Prices Set Off an Inflationary Spiral?.