Considering the resources that countries invest in training people at doctorate level we can easily claim that PhDs are among the most invested ‘brains’ in each country. Yet what is missing from the discussion is what happens with their career after they gain their PhD. Based on two studies we reveal the job-related movements (career) of PhDs from Estonia. The results signpost a great share of heterogeneity across research fields – a diversity that has considerable effect on how universities can manage their academic workforce and their career, but also, factors that shape movements between the academic and non-academic labour market.
Alas , Ruth and Olav Aarna (2016) “Higher education system to the European higher education area: The case of Estonia”. Academy of Management Learning & Education 15 , 3 , 626–634.
Auriol , Laudeline (2013) Careers of doctorate holders: developing the statistical evidence. Tokyo: International symposium on tracking careers of doctoral graduates.
Auriol , Laudeline , Max Misu , and Rebecca Freeman (2013) Careers of doctorate holders: Analysis of labour market and mobility indicators. STI Working Papers 4. Available online at http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=DSTI/DOC(2013)4&docLanguage=En . Accessed on April 26 , 2018.
Baruch , Yehuda and Douglas T. Hall (2004) “The academic career: a model for future careers in other sectors”. Journal of Vocational Behavior 64 , 2 , 241–262.
Bernard , Russell H. (2000) Social research methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Brass , Lawrence F. , Myles H. Akabas , Linda D. Burnley , David M. Engman , Clayton A. Wiley , and Olaf S. Andersen (2010) “Are MD–PhD Programs Meeting Their Goals? An analysis of career choices made by graduates of 24 MD–PhD programs”. Acad Med 85 , 4 , 692–701.
Enders , Jürgen and Christine Musselin (2008) “Back to the future? The academic professions in the 21st century”. Higher education to 2030. Vol. 1: Demography , 125–150. Paris: OECD.
Evers , Andrea and Monika Sieverding (2015) “Academic career intention beyond the PhD: can the theory of planned behavior explain gender differences?” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 455 , 3 , 158–172.
Gardner , Susan K. (2009) “Understanding doctoral education”. ASHE Higher Education Report 34 , 6 , 29–40.
Gioia , Dennis A. and Evelyn Pitre (1990) “Multiparadigm perspectives on theory building”. The Academy of Management Review 15 , 3 , 584–602.
Guest , Greg , Arwen Bunce , and Laura Johnson (2006) “How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability”. Field Methods 18 , 1 , 59–82.
Jairam , Dharmananda and David H. Kahl , Jr. (2012) “Navigating the doctoral experience: the role of social support in successful degree completion”. International Journal of Doctoral Studies 7 , 311-329.
Kindsiko , Eneli (2013) Akadeemilise karjääri mustrid Tartu Ülikooli doktorantide näitel. [Academic career patterns of doctoral students in Tartu University. Master thesis] Magistritöö. Tartu Ülikool.
Kindsiko , Eneli , Maaja Vadi , Viire Täks , Kati Loite , and Kersti Kurri (2017) Eesti doktorite karjääritee ja seda mõjutavad tegurid. [The career of PhDs in Estonia] Tartu Ülikool: Tartu.
Kolsaker , Ailsa (2008) “Academic professionalism in the managerialist era: a study of English universities”. Studies in Higher Education 33 , 5 , 513–525.
Kwiek , Marek (2015) “The unfading power of collegiality? University governance in Poland in a European comparative and quantitative perspective”. International Journal of Educational Development 43 , 77–89.
Kwiek , Marek (2017) “A generational divide in the academic profession: a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach to the Polish case”. European Educational Research Journal , 16 , 5 , 645–669.
Kärner , Anita , Hasso Kukemelk , and Richard J. Herdlein (2005) “Motivation for obtaining the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in the Post-Soviet Era: the case of Estonia”. International Education 35 , 1 , 24–34.
Lee , Hsing-fen , Marcela Miozzo , and Philippe Laredo (2010) “Career patterns and competences of PhDs in science and engineering in the knowledge economy: the case of graduates from a UK research-based university”. Research Policy 39 , 7 , 869–881.
Lourens , M. and Cindy Tilbrook (2009) Postgraduate destinations 2008: a report on the work and study outcomes of postgraduates. Graduate Careers Australia (GCA).
Nerad , Maresi (2004) “The PhD in the US: criticisms , facts , and remedies”. Higher Education Policy 17 , 2 , 183–199.
Neumann , Ruth and Kim Khim Tan (2011) “From PhD to initial employment: the doctorate in a knowledge economy”. Studies in Higher Education 36 , 5 , 601–614.
Park , Chris (2005) “New Variant PhD: The changing nature of the doctorate in the UK”. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management 27 , 2 , 189–207.
Parker , Martin and David Jary (1995) “The McUniversity: Organization , management and academic subjectivity”. Organization 2 , 2 , 319–338.
Prus , Robert (1990) “The interpretive challenge: the impending crisis in sociology”. The Canadian Journal of Sociology 15 , 3 , 355–363.
Arwen Raddon and Johnny Sung (2009) The career choices and impact of PhD graduates in the UK: a synthesis review. Swindon: Economic and Social research Council (ESRC).
Zajda , Arwen (2007) “Reforms in higher education in the Russian Federation: implications for equity and social justice”. European Education , 39 , 2 , 20–36.
Stephan , Paula E. and Sharon G. Levin (2015) Striking the mother lode in science: the importance of age , place and time. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Anselm S. Strauss and Juliet M. Corbin (1990) Basics of qualitative research. Newbury Park: Sage.
Waaijer , Cathelijn F. (2017) “Perceived career prospects and their influence on the sector of employment of recent PhD graduates”. Science and Public Policy 44 , 1 , 1–12.
C. M. van der Weijden (2016) “The role of gender in the employment , career perception and research performance of recent PhD graduates from Dutch universities”. PLoS ONE , 11 , 10.
Vadi , Maaja , Eneli Kindsiko , and Ruth Alas (2015) Teadlase karjäär: Eesti rahvusvahelises taust­süsteemis. Uuring 6.4 lõppraport. [The career of scientists: Estonia in the international system. Study 6.4 final report] Tartu: Teadus- ja innovatsioonipoliitika seireprogramm.
Vassil , Kristjan and Mihkel Solvak (2012) “When failing is the only option: explaining failure to finish PhDs in Estonia”. Higher Education 64 , 4 , 503–516.