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Empirical Analysis Of Career Transitions Of Sciences And Engineering Doctorates In The Us

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  • Natalia Mishagina

    (Queen's University)

Abstract

This paper studies career mobility of white male doctorates innatural sciences and engineering using the Survey of DoctorateRecipients (1973-2001). The paper focuses on two issues. First, itassesses the relevance of doctoral careers to sciences andengineering (S&E) in general, and research and development inparticular. Second, it evaluates participation rates and mobilitypatterns of doctorates in careers of different types. To analyzehow various factors affect mobility, a transition model withcompeting risks is specified and estimated. The paper finds thatonly half of doctorates have careers in R&D, and another 8% workin occupations outside the scope of S&E. Employment choices varythroughout a career. Mobility both within- and out of S&E isespecially high during the first 16 years on the job. The effectsof individual and job characteristics, research productivity, andlabor market conditions on transitions are also assessed.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Mishagina, 2007. "Empirical Analysis Of Career Transitions Of Sciences And Engineering Doctorates In The Us," Working Paper 1137, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    • Handle: RePEc:qed:wpaper:1137
    as

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    File URL: https://www.econ.queensu.ca/sites/econ.queensu.ca/files/qed_wp_1137.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    duration analysis; competing risks; science and technology workforce; high-skilled labor; occupational choices;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C41 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Duration Analysis; Optimal Timing Strategies
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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