A1 Journal article (refereed)
Working outside academia? : Perceptions of early-career, fixed-term researchers on changing careers (2019)

Aarnikoivu, M., Nokkala, T., Siekkinen, T., Kuoppala, K., & Pekkola, E. (2019). Working outside academia? : Perceptions of early-career, fixed-term researchers on changing careers. European Journal of Higher Education, 9(2), 172-189. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2018.1548941

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Aarnikoivu, Melina; Nokkala, Terhi; Siekkinen, Taru; Kuoppala, Kari; Pekkola, Elias

Journal or series: European Journal of Higher Education

ISSN: 2156-8235

eISSN: 2156-8243

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 9

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 172-189

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2018.1548941

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/64264

Abstract

This article examines the perceptions of early-career, fixed-term researchers in Finnish universities towards changing careers. It maps out the reasons this group has considered the change and where they see themselves in five years. As a theoretical framework, a synthesisation of variables related to career change, created by Ryan, Healy, and Sullivan [2012. “Oh, Won’t You Stay? Predictors of Faculty Intent to Leave a Public University.” Higher Education 63: 421–437.], was used. The results show that the most common reasons for early-career researchers to change careers are job-security related stress, job-related dissatisfaction, and salary. Over half of the respondents would like to work at a university in five years; however, half of the respondents would also be happy to work in industry. Further examination of the responses highlighted the polarisation of those academics who were optimistic about their future employment opportunities in academia and those with highly pessimistic outlooks. The results of the study bear crucial importance when addressing the current discussion and issues related to the career paths of early-career researchers in Europe.

Keywords: university-educated labour; career development; career; change of career; fixed-term employment

Free keywords: academic staff; career change; early-career stage

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Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1