“How Many PhDs Stay in Academia?”

This question has received a lot of discussion on social media recently. Many detailed studies have been done on the topic, studying a range of geographic locations and scientific disciplines, and the numbers vary between these.

But the conclusion that really matters doesn’t requre expensive and detailed studies…

As PhD scientists we have seen first-hand the enormous challenges that PhD scientists face in transitioning into non-academic jobs. We provide an overview of the problems and proposed win-win solutions that universities and graduate school deans can implement.

My first job search was slow and painful. As I talked with people at each new company, I found myself fumbling for a clear and powerful statement of exactly how I could help them.

I was a PhD scientist with years of lab experience and a deep knowledge of the physical sciences. Wasn’t that enough??

For months my job search produced no results. It was very frustrating.