Ph.D.s for Industry: Linking Ph.D. Program Satisfaction With Job Preparedness

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Graduate School and Workforce Transition

Abstract

As the demand for nonacademic positions increases among Ph.D. graduates, this study provides empirical support for the transferability of research skills among physical and social science Ph.D. holders into positions in business and for-profit companies. Using data from the Council of Graduate Schools’ Understanding PhD Career Pathways for Program Improvement project, this study utilizes ordinal logistic regression to find that graduates’ satisfaction with their program’s development of their skills related to research (developing new ideas and technical skills) adequately prepared them for their current position whereas preparation for culturally appropriate interpersonal skills was lacking. These findings suggest areas of programmatic improvement for graduate deans, program heads, and advisors to better prepare students for work outside academia.

Authors

• Radomir Ray Mitic, University of North Dakota

• Enyu Zhou, Council of Graduate Schools

• Hironao Okahana, Council of Graduate Schools