How Graduate School Does and Does Not Prepare Students to Work in Non-Academic Settings.

• In Event: Examining Undergraduate and Graduate Education in Criminal Justice

Abstract

The present study examined non-academic researchers' views on what is missing from freshly minted doctoral students’ repertoire to work in their field. Anecdotally, it is possible that this issue is due to what previous research has found, in that, there has been and continues to be little to no cohesion between academics and non-academics. This has led to communication issues, which also further complicates trust between them. As a result, both parties have been more inclined to deny each other valuable data and expertise on any given research endeavor. Due to such issues, the possibility to cultivate and maintain relationships between each other cannot be understated. The question then becomes, are doctoral students not being prepared for employment outside of academia? The author interviewed more than 20 directors of research at non-academic institutions across the country. The results suggest that doctoral students are not acquiring enough of the necessary tools to make themselves attractive or successful for employment in this arena. One of the key concepts that was found to be missing was that doctoral students did not have enough applied training. This concept and others will be further discussed, as well as possible solutions, and directions for future research.

Author

• Shawn Rolfe, University of Louisville