Strengths and weaknesses of PhD training to develop alternative careers. Insights from PhD holders working beyond academia
García-Morante, Marina (Universitat Ramon Llull. Departament de Psicologia)
Weise, Crista (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Evolutiva i de l'Educació)
Díaz Villalba, Laura (Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica)
Castelló, Montserrat (Universitat Ramon Llull. Departament de Psicologia i Logopèdia)

Publicació:	Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., 2024
Descripció:	18 pàg.
Resum:	Purpose: This study aims to critically assesses how Spanish PhD holders working outside academia perceive and value their past PhD training experiences within academic PhD programs, addressing the growing need for skills applicable in various sectors. Design/methodology/approach: Using a retrospective interpretative design, the authors collected qualitative data from 35 PhD holders who have transitioned to non-academic careers. Through multimodal interviews, the authors gathered in-depth perceptions to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing PhD training in relation to non-academic employability. Findings: The findings highlight a significant disconnect between academic-oriented training and the practical demands of non-academic jobs, particularly in non-research roles. While PhD training was valued in research-related non-academic positions, especially in STEM fields, it was considered insufficient for those in managerial or other non-research roles unless the training included specific industry-related projects. Participants suggested a cultural shift in PhD programs towards a more balanced academic and non-academic focus, integrating societal concerns and broader competencies like effective communication and managerial skills. These changes are seen as crucial for better-preparing PhD candidates for diverse professional environments, emphasising the need for PhD programs to evolve continually in response to the changing dynamics of the labour market and societal needs. Originality/value: This study contributes to the ongoing discussion about the need for PhD programs to evolve by offering a unique perspective from within the Spanish context. It underscores the necessity for educational reforms incorporating comprehensive skill training, aligning more closely with the career opportunities available to PhD graduates.
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Alternative PhD careers ; Non-academic PhD careers ; PhD training ; Post-phd careers
Publicat a:	Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, (18 November 2024) , ISSN 2398-4694

DOI: 10.1108/SGPE-12-2023-0115

18 p, 197.1 KB

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