Off the tenure track: experiences of PhD graduates in academic administrative positions

ABSTRACT

Advice for PhD graduates seeking to leave academia has proliferated over the last decade, but little attention has been paid to those who continue to work in universities in administrative positions. This study employs a phenomenological qualitative approach to explore the lived experiences of twelve people with PhDs who have taken this alternative career path. Although participants expressed satisfaction with their careers, they also revealed that they faced obstacles to obtaining administrative positions because of misconceptions about the value and purpose of a PhD. The study concludes with policy recommendations for universities and avenues for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic administration
• career planning
• doctoral education
• qualitative methods

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Allison Ewing-Cooper

Allison Ewing-Cooper is a PhD graduate in an academic administrative position. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009 with her PhD in Family Studies and Human Development (FSHD). She was an advisor and Professor of Practice for FSHD at the University of Arizona before moving to her current role as Director of Academic Advising for the College of Social and Behavioural Sciences in 2016. As Director, she leads a team of 22 fantastic advisors as they help students navigate the university, explore opportunities, and graduate.

Kathryn N. Gallien

Kathryn N. Gallien is a PhD graduate in an academic administrative position. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Arizona. Her historical scholarship emphasises oral histories and centres on gender, medicine, and public health in 20th-century Latin America. She currently holds a position as an academic advisor for the College of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Arizona.