Doctorate Holders' Transition to Industry: Networks as a Mechanism?

Abstract

The number of PhD graduates getting employed in industry in the EU has seen significant increase in the past decades. Although studies show generally that personal networks play an important role in the labour market process, little is known about the actual role networks play in the specific case of PhD graduates' transition from academia to industry. Consequently, this study aims to provide insight into the roles played by PhDs' networks in the job search after graduation. The study benefits from a social network perspective, in which extended intersectoral networks can be of central importance for doctorate holders' careers. Such extended networks are developed and managed within the broader context of university-industry collaborations to facilitate knowledge exchange between the two sectors. Accordingly, the study builds on the notion of 'overlapping internal labour markets', which refers to the emergence of career models based on university-industry links. Our data comprises 31 interviews with industry-employed STEM doctorate holders from Sweden, Norway and the UK. Our findings show that networks can play a facilitating role in matching the PhD's specific scientific expertise with labour market demands. Further, we elucidate country-specific patterns and characteristics of university-industry transition after PhD graduation, with regional career paths more (Scandinavia) or less (the UK) noticeable. Finally, the study has practical implications, in particular for doctoral students and PhD graduates related to their career orientation post-PhD.

Evaluation of structured doctoral training programs in German life sciences: how much do such programs address hurdles faced by doctoral candidates?

“…at a national level (Ammon, 2006;Meneghini and Packer, 2007). Terminology of the discipline in the national language is just as important as international terms in English-especially for an increasing number of doctoral graduates working in industry, business or other workplaces outside academia (e.g., Braun and Hadwiger, 2011;Germain-Alamartine et al, 2021). Given the extended purpose of doctoral programs to prepare candidates for both scientific and non-scientific careers (e.g., McWilliam et al, 2002;Berning and Falk, 2006;Nerad, 2008), the integration of courses in English as well as in the national language may be beneficial.…”

Leaving academia: PhD attrition and unhealthy research environments

“…Still, the magnitude of the difference suggests that other factors might be at work. One explanation could be our candidates' stronger link to industry: STEM doctorate holders report the facilitating role of the connections they develop even during their PhD work [56], and the higher salaries and better working conditions offered by industry [57].…”

Practice-based doctoral programs and professional degrees: analysis of foreign experience

“…В общественном и академическом дискурсах традиционная докторская степень (PhD) и образовательные программы, направленные на ее получение (PhD-программы), критиковались за чрезмерно академический характер решаемых задач, представляющих интерес для узких научных направлений, но зачастую лишенных значимого прикладного значения [12]. В качестве существенного недостатка PhD-программ «неакадемические» работодатели отмечали несоответствие компетенций выпускников ожиданиям рынка труда -слишком узкую научную специализацию и отсутствие навыков практического применения научных знаний за пределами академической сферы [13], недостаток управленческих и коммуникативных навыков [14], неумение работать в команде, решать комплексные задачи [15]. Традиционные формы подготовки к докторской степени обычно не предусматривают привлечение специалистов из практических сфер деятельности, что приводит к изолированности докторантов от профессионального мира.…”