ABSTRACT
PhD students at most universities follow a fairly predictable four-to-six-year timeline or life cycle from admission into a graduate studies program through to graduation. Typically, the process involves taking several required courses; working as a research and/or teaching assistant for faculty and possibly doing some teaching; writing qualifying examinations; assembling a dissertation committee; and researching, writing, and defending a dissertation. Each hazard requires mitigation by the firm if it is to survive and thrive in the host country. When students are admitted to a doctoral program, the subjects that PhD students must study in their classes are likely new to them, and the language in scholarly journal articles difficult to follow. Doctoral students may be more affected by discriminatory behaviors based on their race, color, or gender because of their resource dependence on faculty and administrators. PhD students and young assistant professors are under a lot of pressure to perform.
