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The 10,000 PhDs project at the University of Toronto: Using employment outcome data to inform graduate education

Author

Listed:
  • Reinhart Reithmeier
  • Liam O’Leary
  • Xiaoyue Zhu
  • Corey Dales
  • Abokor Abdulkarim
  • Anum Aquil
  • Lochin Brouillard
  • Samantha Chang
  • Samantha Miller
  • Wenyangzi Shi
  • Nancy Vu
  • Chang Zou

Abstract

The purpose of the 10,000 PhDs Project was to determine the current (2016) employment status of the 10,886 individuals who graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in all disciplines from 2000–2015. Using internet searches, we found that about half (51%) of the PhD graduates are employed in the post-secondary education sector, 26% as tenure-track professors, with an additional 3% as adjunct professors and 2% as full-time teaching-stream professors. Over the time-period 2000–2015 there has been a near doubling in PhD graduates with the biggest increase in graduation numbers for the Physical (2.6–fold) and Life Sciences (2.2-fold). Increasingly, these graduates are finding employment in the private and public sectors providing the highly qualified personnel needed to drive an innovation economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Reinhart Reithmeier & Liam O’Leary & Xiaoyue Zhu & Corey Dales & Abokor Abdulkarim & Anum Aquil & Lochin Brouillard & Samantha Chang & Samantha Miller & Wenyangzi Shi & Nancy Vu & Chang Zou, 2019. "The 10,000 PhDs project at the University of Toronto: Using employment outcome data to inform graduate education," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0209898
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annamaria Conti & Fabiana Visentin, 2015. "Science and Engineering Ph.D. Students’ Career Outcomes, by Gender," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Henry Sauermann & Michael Roach, 2012. "Science PhD Career Preferences: Levels, Changes, and Advisor Encouragement," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-9, May.
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