Phd careers beyond the traditional:integrating individual and structural factors for a richer account

McAlpine, L. and Skakni, I. and Inouye, K. (2021) Phd careers beyond the traditional:integrating individual and structural factors for a richer account. European Journal of Higher Education, 11 (4). pp. 365-385. ISSN 2156-8235

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Abstract

More than half of PhD graduates work outside academia. Yet we know little of the nature of their post-PhD careers and the conditions influencing them. Further, research to date tends to focus on either individual factors (e.g., graduate perceptions of PhD skills used) or structural factors (e.g., organizational interest in hiring PhDs). Few studies examine the intersection between individual and structural factors that actually influences career trajectories. Thus, this study was an exploratory examination of UK and Swiss non-traditional PhD careers in which we conceptually and empirically linked structural factors to individual experiences. The results provide a richer, more nuanced picture of PhD career trajectories, showing, for instance, how structural factors like distinct national economic climate and employment patterns intersected with individual factors like job-seeking strategies and job selection. The study’s originality lies in a narrative cross-case approach that merged empirical evidence from interviews with secondary data. We conclude by assessing the value of using such an integrative framework as well as suggesting areas for future research. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
European Journal of Higher Education
Subjects:
?? CAREER TRAJECTORIESINDIVIDUAL AND STRUCTURAL FACTORSNON-TRADITIONAL PHD POSITIONS ??
ID Code:
163290
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 Dec 2021 17:45
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Sep 2023 03:03