Reimagined PhD: Navigating 21st Century Humanities Education

PhD programs are shifting to equip students for a range of careers, but graduate students, faculty, and administrators need help to prepare for this pivot. The Reimagined PhD assembles professionals to address this issue and normalize the multiple career paths open to PhD students, providing practical advice to help them incorporate professional skills into graduate training and build career networks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Long regarded as proving grounds for professors, PhD programs have begun to shed their singular sense of purpose. Prompted by poor placement numbers and guided by the efforts of academic organizations, administrators, and faculty, they are increasingly being called upon to equip students for a range of careers. However, graduate students, faculty, and administrators often feel ill-prepared for this pivot.

The Reimagined PhD is a groundbreaking collection of professionals who come together to address this challenging issue. The contributors demonstrate that students, faculty, and administrators must collaborate to prepare the 21st-century PhD for a diverse array of careers. The volume also challenges the notion that career preparation is a zero-sum game, in which time spent preparing for alternate careers detracts from professorial training. By doing so, The Reimagined PhD normalizes the multiple career paths open to PhD students, while providing practical advice to help them incorporate professional skills into graduate training, build career networks, and prepare PhDs for a variety of careers.

The shift towards equipping PhD students for a range of careers is driven by several factors. Firstly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and employers are looking for candidates with a broad range of skills and expertise. Secondly, the increasing complexity of research and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration require PhD students to have a broader perspective and a more holistic understanding of their field.

To meet these challenges, PhD programs are evolving to incorporate more professional skills and training. This includes courses in communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship, as well as opportunities for internships and research experiences in industry and government. Faculty members are also being encouraged to embrace a more interdisciplinary approach to their teaching, and to collaborate with professionals from other fields to provide students with a broader range of perspectives and skills.

However, the transition to a more career-oriented PhD program is not without its challenges. Graduate students may feel pressure to prioritize their career goals over their academic interests, and may struggle to balance the demands of their research and their professional development. Faculty members may need to adapt their teaching and research practices to accommodate the needs of students who are pursuing careers outside of academia.

To address these challenges, The Reimagined PhD provides practical advice and strategies for students, faculty, and administrators. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication, and encourages students to take ownership of their career development. It also provides insights from professionals who have successfully transitioned from academia to industry and government, and offers advice on building career networks and developing professional skills.

In conclusion, the shift towards equipping PhD students for a range of careers is a positive development that will benefit both students and the broader society. PhD programs must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the job market and the research community. By collaborating with students, faculty, and administrators, and by incorporating more professional skills and training, PhD programs can prepare students for a diverse array of careers and help them achieve their full potential.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978809116