Key Impacts on Career Decision Making of STEM Doctoral Students at an Elite Research University

• In Event: STEM Graduate Education

Abstract

Through 40 interviews with STEM doctoral students at an elite university, this study identified several key impacts influencing students to pursue careers within or outside of academia. Some of the experiences which reinforced students’ desire to stay in academia included their advisers and peers; a love of teaching; and research project success. Meanwhile, for students who left academia, research project struggle and disillusionment with the academic culture were two consistent themes. Students who were successful in the non-academic labor market engaged in a very proactive and independent search process. The findings suggest students would benefit with more support with the research projects. It also demonstrates that students pursuing non-academic jobs do so without a lot of institutional support or guidance.

Author

• Lisa Utzinger Shen, Harvard University