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The National Longitudinal Study of Young Life Scientists: Career differentiation among a diverse group of biomedical PhD students

Author

Listed:
  • Christine V Wood
  • Remi F Jones
  • Robin G Remich
  • Anne E Caliendo
  • Nicole C Langford
  • Jill L Keller
  • Patricia B Campbell
  • Richard McGee

Abstract

Young biomedical PhD scientists are needed in a wide variety of careers. Many recent efforts have been focused on revising training approaches to help them choose and prepare for different careers. However, very little is known about how biomedical PhD students decide on and “differentiate” into careers, which limits the development of new training models. This knowledge gap also severely limits efforts to increase the representation of women and some racial/ethnic groups in academic research careers. Previous studies have used cross-sectional surveys of career interests and ratings, and have not been designed to identify career intentions. They also are limited by single-time data and response bias, having typically asked participants to recount decisions made years in the past. This report draws on annual, in-depth interviews with 147 biomedical PhD students from the start of the PhD to graduation. Qualitative content analysis methods were used to fully understand scientific development and career intentions over time. Longitudinal analysis reveals a striking level of fluidity and complexity in career intentions over time. Contrary to previous studies and the dominant narrative, data do not show generalized shifts away from academic careers. In addition to those who are consistent in this intention from the start, nearly as many students shift toward research academic careers as away from them, and only modest differences exist by gender and race/ethnicity. Thus, the dominant narrative misses the high fraction of individuals who acquire or sustain their intention to purse an academic research career during training. Efforts to increase diversity in academia must capitalize on and support those who are still considering and evolve toward an academic career. Efforts to revise research training should incorporate knowledge of the tremendous fluidity in when and how career differentiation occurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine V Wood & Remi F Jones & Robin G Remich & Anne E Caliendo & Nicole C Langford & Jill L Keller & Patricia B Campbell & Richard McGee, 2020. "The National Longitudinal Study of Young Life Scientists: Career differentiation among a diverse group of biomedical PhD students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0234259
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Navid Ghaffarzadegan & Joshua Hawley & Richard Larson & Yi Xue, 2015. "A Note on PhD Population Growth in Biomedical Sciences," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 402-405, May.
    2. Diyi Li & Cory Koedel, 2016. "Representation and Salary Gaps by Race/Ethnicity and Gender at Selective Public Universities," Working Papers 1613, Department of Economics, University of Missouri, revised Apr 2017.
    3. Andrea M Zimmerman, 2018. "Navigating the path to a biomedical science career," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, September.
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