Definite commitments to postgraduation study or work
Overview
The Survey of Earned Doctorates asks doctorate recipients about their postgraduation plans and whether respondents have definite commitments to a postdoc position or other employment. Between 1996 and 2016, all age groups saw an increase in the percentage with definite commitments during the late 1990s, followed by a gradual, though not steady, decline through the first decade of the 21st century and then a much steeper decline starting at the end of the decade. Starting in 2009, those age 30 or younger at the time of doctorate award were more likely to report a definite commitment to a postdoc or other employment than were those in other age groups.
Definite commitments for employment at doctorate award, by age at doctorate award: 1996–2016
| Year | 30 or younger | 31–40 | 41 or older |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 70.3 | 63.7 | 71.3 |
| 1997 | 70.2 | 64.5 | 69.7 |
| 1998 | 72.5 | 67.0 | 71.5 |
| 1999 | 73.1 | 66.9 | 71.4 |
| 2000 | 73.1 | 69.3 | 72.2 |
| 2001 | 75.4 | 70.9 | 73.4 |
| 2002 | 74.4 | 70.6 | 73.6 |
| 2003 | 72.3 | 69.6 | 73.3 |
| 2004 | 71.4 | 68.3 | 71.9 |
| 2005 | 73.0 | 68.3 | 71.1 |
| 2006 | 72.7 | 69.8 | 72.8 |
| 2007 | 69.6 | 67.8 | 69.4 |
| 2008 | 70.1 | 67.9 | 70.5 |
| 2009 | 70.6 | 68.5 | 69.5 |
| 2010 | 69.9 | 66.8 | 67.2 |
| 2011 | 67.7 | 64.0 | 64.4 |
| 2012 | 67.5 | 64.4 | 65.5 |
| 2013 | 64.1 | 61.5 | 61.5 |
| 2014 | 63.0 | 60.1 | 60.5 |
| 2015 | 63.5 | 60.9 | 60.3 |
| 2016 | 63.8 | 60.3 | 59.2 |
- NOTES: Definite commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to pre-doctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment, including postdoc study, in the coming year. Percentages are based on the number of doctorate recipients responding to the postgraduation status item.
- SOURCE: Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities 2016. Related detailed data: tables 44, 51, 52.
