Doctoral degrees long have been viewed as sure tickets to a successful career, but that assumption might slowly be diverging from reality.
According to a recent survey conducted by the National Science Foundation, job prospects are in decline for doctorate holders across multiple fields.
In 1991, approximately 51 percent received employment and in 2011 that number fell to 38 percent.
It also showed an increase in graduates turning to the less secure world of postdoctoral fellowships, from approximately 19 percent obtaining fellowships in 1991 to 28 percent 20 years later.
Postdoctoral research fellows have less security than those employed in an industry or academia because their positions are temporary.
Their source of income disappears once their research is completed, unless offered a more permanent position.
This forces many to scramble to find another source of funding.
“An overwhelming majority of my friends are doing postdocs,” said Steve Proper, who’s working to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine. “We are all terrified of having to do postdocs for a decade.”
While some fields require postdoctoral work for an academic position, Matt Helm, director of Graduate Student Life and Wellness, believes the role of research is changing.
“Postdocs are great for professional development and socialization, (but) there’s not the tenure-track positions of the past available (afterwards),” he said.
Tony Nunez, associate dean for academic affairs in the MSU Graduate School, believes doctorates are increasing in importance.
“I just look at the needs of society — what we need to do about the environment, about energy, about education itself,” Nunez said. “The type of workforce that is needed to face those issues demands the type of training that goes with a Ph.D.”
Nunez pointed to the nationwide economic recession as the main cause of decreasing doctoral prospects, but the survey found downward trends present in every field reported except engineering since 2001.
Helm cautions students to weigh their options before pursuing a doctorate.
“Passion (for learning) can be utilized,” Helm said. “It may not necessitate a graduate degree.”
Nunez also emphasized that a doctoral candidacy isn’t for everyone.
“If you don’t have the fire, then don’t do it because it’s hard work and any rewards are delayed in terms of monetary or professional,” Nunez said. “You have to have (a) passion for knowledge that will sustain you.”
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