Professorial Fit: Perceptions of Engineering Postdoctoral Scholars
- Resource Type
- Journal Articles
Reports - Research
- Authors
- Mendez, Sylvia L.; Cooksey, Sarah E.; Starkey, Kathryn E.; Conley, Valerie Martin
- Source
- Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education. 2022 13(3):266-280.
- Subject
- Postdoctoral Education
Engineering Education
Work Attitudes
Career Choice
Labor Market
Competition
Family Work Relationship
College Faculty
Higher Education
Professional Autonomy
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2398-4686
Purpose: This study aims to explore the perceptions of a diverse set of 16 engineering postdoctoral scholars regarding their fit for the professoriate. The professoriate speaks to the body of tenured/tenure-track faculty within higher education institutions. Design/methodology/approach: An intrinsic case study design was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing engineering postdoctoral scholars' perceived professorial fit using person-job fit theory. Findings: As a result of inductive and deductive data analyses techniques, four themes emerged: the professoriate is perceived as a calling for those who desire to teach and mentor the upcoming generation of engineers; research autonomy in the professoriate is highly attractive; the work demands of the professoriate are contrary to the work-life balance sought; and the professoriate appears daunting due to the competitive nature of the job market and the academic environment. Originality/value: This study is critical for those invested in possessing a deeper understanding of the postdoctoral career stage, its relationship to the professoriate as a career choice and broadening participation in engineering academia.