The Impact of Social Capital on Academic Job-Seeking Experiences in China: A Comparison Between PhD Returnees and Domestic PhDs

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Abstract

Utilizing Lin Nan’s social capital model and qualitative methods, this study investigates how social capital earned from doctoral education affects the academic job-seeking experiences of PhD returnees and domestic PhDs in China. Domestic PhDs gain significant advantages from their academic acquittances and advisors' academic households("shimen"). Conversely, due to the devaluation of overseas connections, PhD returnees encountered more difficulties during the job search. Additionally, this study highlighted that Chinese academia operates a dualistic ranking system that determines the academic prestige of domestic and overseas educational degrees and establishes a hierarchy of social capital within PhDs. These insights contribute to the understanding of social capital’s role in occupational attainment and inform policies to enhance the academic job market's inclusivity and effectiveness.

Authors

• Yuejia Wang, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Xiaoli Jing, Beijing Normal University

• Yunjia Xie, McGill University