Acadamia vs. Industry - supervisors role

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the motivations of supervisors in academia regarding the career paths of their Ph.D. students, particularly whether to guide them towards academic positions or industry roles. It is established that the incentives for supervisors are primarily non-financial, with a notable emphasis on ego and prestige associated with placing students in academic roles, especially in fields like physics. The competitive nature of research funding further complicates this dynamic, as supervisors may view industry placements as a failure. Individual perspectives vary significantly based on discipline, specialty, and institutional culture.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of academic career trajectories for Ph.D. students
  • Familiarity with the dynamics of research funding in academia
  • Knowledge of the cultural perceptions of success in various academic disciplines
  • Awareness of the differences between academic and industry roles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of academic prestige on Ph.D. career outcomes
  • Explore the role of ego in academic mentorship
  • Investigate funding competition among researchers in academia
  • Examine case studies of Ph.D. graduates transitioning to industry
USEFUL FOR

Academics, Ph.D. supervisors, graduate students, and career advisors interested in understanding the influences on career guidance in higher education.

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Acadamia vs. Industry -- supervisors role

Is there an incentive for supervisors to guide their Ph.D. students to follow an academic career rather than move to industry?
 
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Is there an incentive for supervisors to guide their Ph.D. students to follow an academic career rather than move to industry?


Yes, but I think it is mostly non-financial - there may be financial benefit if their area of study is bigger and more prestigious, but every researcher in the same field is also (sometimes indirect) competition for limited dollars. I don't think either of those have much impact, but I'd be interested if others disagree.

You didn’t specify a discipline, but assuming you’re discussing physics, many professors see industry as failure and academia as success, and some part of their ego is tied up in getting students into academic positions. Obviously this varies by individual, by specialty and by institution.
 

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