PhD experience and subsequent outcomes: a look at self-perceptions of acquired graduate attributes and supervisor support

Abstract

The literature examining graduate attributes remains unclear regarding their value to work within and outside of the university context. The current article sought clarity through a quantitative analysis of the relationship between self-perceptions of PhD-related graduate attribute acquisition and both objective (e.g. productivity) and subjective outcomes (i.e. evaluations of PhD experience). The perceived acquisition of graduate attributes was related to post-PhD productivity and subjective evaluations, but not duration of PhD study, productivity during PhD study, time seeking employment post-PhD or current gross salary. Perceptions of supervisor support, as well as a variety of demographic variables, were also related to several of the current outcome measures. Overall, the results speak to the role that university graduate education has in providing for the development of attributes that can be successfully brought to fruition in post-graduation employment through enhanced productivity.