Turning Away from Academic Careers: What Does Work-Family Have To Do with It?

Kate Quinn, University of Washington
Elizabeth Litzler, University of Washington

Abstract

This study explores factors in graduate students' decisions to turn away from their academic career aspirations to determine the role of work-family concerns. An original survey instrument was designed to collect information about individual characteristics, experiences in graduate school, career aspiration, and perceptions of the familyfriendliness of academic careers. This paper focuses on 238 PhD students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and the arts, humanities, and social science (AHSS) fields. Analysis includes bivariate correlations and multiple logistic regression. Findings are mixed regarding the influence of work-family concerns on the decision to turn away from academic career aspirations. Additionally, net of other variables, gender has no impact on the decision to turn away from academic career aspirations.

Recommended Citation

Quinn, K. , Litzler, E. (2009). Turning Away from Academic Careers: What Does Work-Family Have To Do with It?. NASPA Journal About Women in Higher Education, 2(1).
DOI: 10.2202/1940-7890.1026
Available at: http://journals.naspa.org/njawhe/vol2/iss1/5