Abstract

CELIS-GIRALDO, Jorge Enrique  and  DUQUE-ESCOBAR, Mauricio. A Comparative Study of Professional Preferences Among Engineering Ph.D.: Colombia-USA. educ.educ. [online]. 2014, vol.17, n.2, pp.306-320. ISSN 0123-1294.  https://doi.org/10.5294/edu.2014.17.2.6.

Although we expect most graduates of doctoral programs in engineering to find work with non-academic organizations, such as those in industry, the job market shows the higher education sector employs a large number of them. A study comparing the occupational preferences of engineering Ph.D. candidates in Colombia and the USA was conducted to understand this phenomenon. The results of that comparison of professional preferences shows students choose an academic career because they find it allows them to publish, to receive peer recognition, to have the freedom to choose their research projects, and provides job security; while those interested in industry show concern over wages, money, resources and access to high-end equipment and technology.

Keywords : Ph.D. in engineering; higher education; comparative education; job market; Colombia-USA.

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