Job Preferences of PhD Students Facing Competitive Labor Markets

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Abstract

The career prospects and preferences of PhD students are becoming increasingly under the spotlight. This is largely due to the highly competitive job markets in academia and non-academic sectors. In this study we focus on Mainland Chinese PhD students in Hong Kong universities. Most of these students opt to return upon graduation. The job market in mainland China is particularly competitive due to the large number of PhD students, estimated to be around 560,000 and stable or less evolving labor markets for them. This creates a high degree of competition for jobs and careers.
Although many studies have focused on PhD students’ considerations and decisions regarding different employment sectors (revealed preferences), no research has been devoted to understanding PhD students’ decision-making processes when presented with a range of distinct options for potential jobs (stated preferences).

Author

• Wangyi Monique Dai, University of Hong Kong