Dec 2017

Preliminary results from ISU. More data will be added when other universities complete their survey:

  1. Of the Ph.D. students who started their degrees interested in a faculty careers
  • 27% of underrepresented Minorities (URM) are no longer interested in being faculty
  • 29% of whites + Asian or Asian Americans (WAA) are no longer interested in being faculty
  1. Reasons for Change
  • Quality of life was the strongest reason for change in both groups
  • Secondary reasons:
    • URM:
      • Income or advancement opportunities
      • Change in professional interests
      • Family, health or other personal considerations
    • WAA:
      • Change in career or professional interests
      • Family, health, or other personal considerations
      • Income or advancement opportunities
  1. Ph.D. students were asked what they most value in a career and the likelihood that a faculty position would help them reach those values. The areas that had the largest disconnect between values and likelihood, in order
  • URM
    • Time for leisure, family, and my interests
    • Diversity within the community where I would live
    • Cooperative work environment
    • An inclusive climate where diversity is values
    • Rewarding salary level
  • WAA
    • Time for leisure, family, and my interests
    • Rewarding salary level
    • Cooperative work environment
    • An inclusive climate where diversity is values
    • Autonomy of work
  1. We looked to for problems with advisor interactions w/students who had changed career interests away from a faculty career. These were the largest needs __not__ being met as reported by students
  • URM
    • Reviews my work before meeting with me
    • Refers me to appropriate resources or services if I am having academic or personal issues
    • Encourages me to partner with others in my research group
  • WAA
    • Helps me develop goals
    • Sets clear expectations regarding my work
    • Is prepared to provide the necessary guidance on my work
  1. Of the Ph.D. students who reported a negative experience during their graduate career based on their personal characteristics
  • 25% of URM changed career interests away from a faculty career
  • 41% of WAA changed career interests away from a faculty career