2026-04-14T08:22:32Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:20.500.14342/45812025-03-11T20:26:35Zcom_2072_482405com_2072_183628col_2072_482411

Strengths and weaknesses of PhD training to develop alternative careers. Insights from PhD holders working beyond academia Garcia-Morante, Marina Weise, Crista Diaz Villalba, Laura Karina Castelló, Montserrat Universitat Ramon Llull. Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i de l'Esport Blanquerna Formació doctoral Carreres post-doctorals Carreres doctorals alternatives Carreres doctorals no-acadèmiques 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 researchrelated 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. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion 2024-11 info:eu-repo/semantics/article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14342/4581 https://doi.org/10.1108/SGPE-12-2023-0115 eng Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, 18 novembre 2024 © L'autor/a Attribution 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess 18 Emerald