Who is happy at doctoral programs: The connection between employment and learning outcomes of PhD students

Abstract

Doctoral education in Russia is characterized by high drop-out rates. Many experts associate this problem with the low financial support of PhD students and their need to find employment during education process. However, the current discussion mainly relies not on the research data, but on expert opinions based on scanty statistics or on the individual cases. Based on a 2016 survey of PhD students of the leading Russian universities the authors assess the scope and types of employment of postgraduates, as well as the experience of those PhD students, who balance study time with work. The current position, work duties and workload of PhD students were analyzed in regard to learning experience perception and career prospects they have. The authors conclude that the balancing study and work may benefit to PhD student education process and professional experience, but only in case when current work duties correspond to the thesis topic. The challenges of balancing study and work are highlighted. The results can be useful for developing measures to reform doctoral education both at the university and at the state level.