Cultivating Academics? Doctoral Students’ Vocational Choices

• In Event: Careers, Identities, and Disciplinarity in Doctoral Education

Abstract

Scholars often view pursuing the doctoral degree as the process of cultivation into the academic profession. Yet, doctoral students have several career pathways from which to choose, including academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector. With this study, we build upon existing literature with the purpose of developing a comprehensive understanding of doctoral students’ preparation for the academic career, how they are cultivated into the academic profession, and the various factors that affect their decision-making process regarding their career pathways. We sought to document these factors and what might attract doctoral students to academia or propel them toward other professions.

Authors

• Laura M. Portnoi, California State University - Long Beach

• Ana Lima, California State University - Long Beach

• Diliana Peregrina-Kretz, OISE/University of Toronto