February 24 1999
To help them with their career goals, the graduate school has invited Maresi Nerad, director of graduate research, graduate division, University of California-Berkeley, to present information on the research project "Ph.D.s: Ten Years Later."
The public lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m., March 2, in the Summerfield Room at KU's Adams Alumni Center. All graduate students, faculty and the general public are invited to attend. The lecture is free.
"The changing nature of the job market challenges Ph.D. graduates across disciplines to consider a wider variety of career options," said Daphne Johnston, assistant dean, KU graduate school. "Understanding the career paths of doctorates over time is essential to shaping graduate programs to meet the professional development needs of students."
Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, the study examines information collected from Ph.D. graduates from six academic disciplines -- biochemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, English, mathematics and political science -- to determine the direction of their professional activities after the completion of advanced degrees.
Nerad has been instrumental in the development of a national agenda on careers outside the academy for those people holding doctorates in the humanities. In addition, she has developed programs designed to help doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows expand their career opportunities in the changing job market.
In conjunction with Nerad's visit, a full day of activities focusing on graduate student professional preparation and placement has been planned.
In addition to the formal lecture, two special sessions are scheduled -- one for graduate students and the other for graduate faculty and program administrators. A reception has also been scheduled.
Detailed information about these scheduled events can be obtained from the Graduate School and by contacting Johnston at 864-4141 or djohnston@ukans.edu.