ABSTRACT
Because PhD programs and dissertations presume that writers will pursue academic careers, previous chapters have maintained this assumption. With reference to critical analyses of graduate education, this final chapter acknowledges the realities of current academic job markets, assesses the diverse reasons for completing a PhD, and offers advice for using doctoral work to prepare for a variety career paths. Its underlying premise is that the values of a doctoral program, with the priority of specialized research, do not reliably represent the interests of most candidates and employers, even in academic institutions. With “constructive disillusionment,” graduate students therefore need to identify their own interests and options and develop appropriate skills and plans before they complete their programs.
