The Hidden Factor: Social Class of Origin in the Career of Doctorate Holders

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable 22
  In Roundtable Session: Roundtable Session 3: Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Across the Disciplines SIG

Abstract

In a moment where knowledge is considered the most important asset for the economy, one might assume that social class of origin is no longer influencing the professional careers of PhD holders. Using a mixed-method approach, this paper shows that early-career doctorate holders from the lowest social class of origin seem to have a very different path than their peers from upper social class of origin, even when both groups completed their doctorate programs from top-ranked foreign universities. Opportunities of applying and being hired by the top Chilean research universities seem more likely to those PhD holders who come from upper social class in comparison to those who grew up in low social class families.

Author

• Roxana Chiappa, University of Washington - Seattle