This paper examines how the characteristics associated with the quality of young' first job in Uruguay determine their future performance in the labor market. Based on the analysis of marginal and treatment effects, applying different methods, we find evidence that supports the hypothesis of segmentation, in which the young can become "trapped" in a situation of vulnerability. Education appears to be the main factor that mitigates these effects. In the case of young workers with high education levels, suboptimal initial employment could be an "entry port" to achieve the protected employment in subsequent jobs.

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