1999 Survey of Doctorate Recipients

This information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. All information you provide will be treated as confidential and used only for research or statistical purposes by the survey sponsors (the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health), their contractors, and collaborating researchers for the purpose of analyzing data and preparing scientific reports and articles. Any information publicly released (such as statistical summaries) will be in a form that does not personally identify you. Your response is voluntary and failure to provide some or all of the requested information will not in any way adversely affect you. On the average, it will take about 25 minutes to complete the questionnaire. If you have any comments on the time required for this survey, please send them to Suzanne H. Plimpton, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, VA 22230. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Conducted by: U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census for the National Science Foundation Arlington, VA

Part A ? Employment Status During the Reference Week of April 11-17, 1999
A1.

Were you working for pay (or profit) during the week of April 15, 1999? This includes a post-doctoral appointment, being self-employed or temporarily absent from a job even if unpaid (e.g., illness, vacation or parental leave).

1 [ ] Yes (Skip to A7)
2 [ ] No

A2.

(If no) Did you look for work during the four weeks preceding April 15, 1999 (that is, anytime between March 19 and April 15, 1999)?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

A3.

What were your reasons for not working during the week of April 15?
Mark all that apply

1 [ ] Retired (Year retired 19 __ __)
2 [ ] On layoff from a job
3 [ ] Student
4 [ ] Family responsibilities
5 [ ] Chronic illness or permanent disability
6 [ ] Suitable job not available
7 [ ] Did not need or want to work
8 [ ] Other ? Specify ________________________________

A4.

Prior to the week of April 15, 1999, when did you last work for pay (or profit)?
0 [ ] Mark this box if never worked for pay (or profit) and skip to Part D

Last Worked
Month __ __ Year 19 __ __

A5.

What kind of work were you doing on this last job ? that is, what was your occupation? Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.
Example: College professor ? Electrical Engineering

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

A6.

Using the job codes list (pages 12-13), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on this last job.

Code __ __ __ __ (Skip to A41)

A7.

(If worked during week of April 15th) Counting all jobs held during the week of April 15, 1999, did you usually work...

1 [ ] A total of 35 or more hours per week (Skip to A10)
2 [ ] Fewer than 35 hours per week

A8.

(If fewer than 35 hours) During the week of April 15, did you want to work a full-time work week of 35 or more hours?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

A9.

What were your reasons for working a part-time work week (i.e., less than 35 hours) during the week of April 15?
Mark all that apply

1 [ ] Retired or semi-retired (Year retired 19 __ __)
2 [ ] Student
3 [ ] Family responsibilities
4 [ ] Chronic illness or permanent disability
5 [ ] Suitable full-time work week job not available
6 [ ] Did not need or want to work full-time
7 [ ] Other ? Specify ___________________________________________

A10.

(If 35 or more hours) Although you were working during the week of April 15, had you previously retired from any position?
Examples of retirement include mandatory retirement, early retirement, or voluntary retirement

1 [ ] Yes (Year retired 19 __ __)
2 [ ] No

The next several questions ask about your principal employer.

A11.

Who was your principal employer during the week of April 15, 1999?
If more than one job: Record employer for whom you worked the most hours that week
If employer had more than one location: Record location where you usually worked

Employer Name _______________________________________________
City/Town ____________________________________________
State/Foreign Country ____________________________________________
ZIP Code ______________________________________________

A12.

Thinking about your employer's main business (i.e., what you employer makes or does), under which of these categories does your employer's main business best fit?
If principal employer has more than one type of business: Please answer for the type of business primarily performed at the location where you work
Mark only one

1 [ ] Agriculture, forestry, or fishing
2 [ ] Biotechnology
3 [ ] Construction or mining
4 [ ] Education
5 [ ] Finance, insurance or real estate services
6 [ ] Health services
7 [ ] Information technology or computer services
8 [ ] Other services (e.g., social, legal, business)
9 [ ] Manufacturing
10 [ ] Public administration/government
11 [ ] Research ? Specify __________________________________________
12 [ ] Transportation services, utilities, or communications
13 [ ] Wholesale or retail trade
14 [ ] Other

A13.

Counting all locations where this employer operates, how many people work for your principal employer? Your best estimate is fine.
Mark only one

1 [ ] Under 10 employees
2 [ ] 10-24 employees
3 [ ] 25-99 employees
4 [ ] 100-499 employees
5 [ ] 500-999 employees
6 [ ] 1,000-4,999 employees
7 [ ] 5,000+ employees

A14.

Did your principal employer come into being as a new business within the past 5 years?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

A15.

Was your principal employer during the week of April 15...
If employer was a school: Mark the type of organizational charter (e.g., mark "state government" for state schools; most private schools are "private not-for-profit")
Mark only one

1 [ ] A private for-profit company, business or individual, working for wages, salary or commissions
2 [ ] A private not-for-profit, tax-exempt, or charitable organization
3 [ ] Self-employed in own not incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
4 [ ] Self-employed in own incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
5 [ ] Local government (e.g., city, county)
6 [ ] State government
7 [ ] U.S. military service, active duty or Commissioned Corps (e.g., USPHS, NOAA)
8 [ ] U.S. government (e.g., civilian employee)
9 [ ] Other ? Specify ______________________________________________

A16.

Was your principal employer an educational institution?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to A20)

A17.

(If educational institution) Was this educational institution a...
Mark only one

1 [ ] Preschool, elementary, or middle school system (Skip to A20)
2 [ ] Secondary school or system (Skip to A20)
3 [ ] Two-year college, community college, technical institute
4 [ ] Four-year college or university, other than a medical school
5 [ ] Medical school (including university-affiliated hospital or medical center)
6 [ ] University-affiliated research institute
7 [ ] Something else ? Specify ________________________________________

A18.

What was your faculty rank?
Mark only one

1 [ ] Not applicable at this institution
2 [ ] Not applicable for my position
3 [ ] Professor
4 [ ] Associate Professor
5 [ ] Assistant Professor
6 [ ] Instructor
7 [ ] Lecturer
8 [ ] Adjunct Faculty
9 [ ] Other ? Specify _________________________________________________

A19.

What was your tenure status?
Mark only one

1 [ ] Not applicable: no tenure system at this institution
2 [ ] Not applicable: no tenure system for my position
3 [ ] Tenured
4 [ ] On tenure track but not tenured
5 [ ] Not on tenure track

The next set of questions ask about your work on your principal job during the week of April 15,1999.

A20.

What kind of work were you doing on your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1999 ? that is, what was your occupation? Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.

Example: College professor ? Electrical Engineering
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

A21.

Using the job codes list (pages 12-13), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on your principal job during the week of April 15.
Code __ __ __

A22.

Did your duties on this job require the technical expertise of a bachelor's degree or higher in...
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Engineering, computer science, math, or the natural sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. The social sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Some other field (e.g., health or business) ? Specify
_______________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A23.

Was this job a "postdoc?"
A "postdoc" is a temporary position awarded in academe, industry, or government primarily for gaining additional education and training in research

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to A26)

A24.

(If yes) What were your reasons for taking this postdoc?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Additional training in PhD field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Training in an area outside of PhD field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Work with a specific person or place

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Other employment not available

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Postdoc generally expected for career in this field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Some other reason ? Specify ___________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A25.

What were your two most important reasons for taking this postdoc? Enter number of appropriate reason from A24 above.

1. ____ Most important reason
2. ____ Second most important reason (Enter "0" if no second most)

A26.

During what month and year did you start this job, (that is, your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1999)?

Job Started
Month: __ __ Year: 19 __ __

A27.

Thinking about the relationship between your work and your education, to what extent was your work on your principal job held during the week of April 15 related to your (first U.S.) doctoral degree? Was it...

Mark only one
1 [ ] Closely related (Skip to A30)
2 [ ] Somewhat related (Skip to A30)
3 [ ] Not related

A28.

(If not related) Did these factors influence your decision to work in an area outside the field of your (first U.S.) doctoral degree?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Pay, promotion opportunities

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Working conditions (e.g., hours, equipment, working environment)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Job location

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Change in career or professional interests

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Family-related reasons (e.g., children, spouse's job moved)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Job in highest degree field not available

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Other reason ? Specify ___________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A29.

Which two factors in A28 represent your most important reasons for working in an area outside the field of you (first U.S.) doctoral degree? Enter number of appropriate reason from A28 above.

1. ____ Most important reason
2. ____ Second most important reason (Enter "0" if no second most)

A30.

The next question is about your work activities on your principal job. Which of the following work activities occupied 10 percent or more of your time during a typical work week on this job?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Accounting, finance, contracts

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Applied research ? study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge primarily for its own sake

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Basic research ? study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge primarily for its own sake

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Computer applications, programming, systems development

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Development ? using knowledge gained from research for the production of materials, devices

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Design of equipment, processes, structures, models

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Employee relations ? including recruiting, personnel development, training

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Managing and supervising

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Production, operations, maintenance (e.g., truck driving, machine tooling, auto/machine repairing)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

10. Professional services (e.g., health care, counseling, financial services, legal services)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

11. Sales, purchasing, marketing, customer service, public relations

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

12. Quality or productivity management

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

13. Teaching

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

14. Other ? Specify ______________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A31.

On which two activities in A30 did you work the most hours during a typical week on this job? Enter number of appropriate activity from A30 above.

1. __ __ Activity most hours
2. __ __ Activity second most hours (Enter "0" if no second most)

A32.

Did you supervise the work of others as part of your principal job held during the week of April 15?
Mark "Yes": If you assigned duties to workers and recommended or initiated personnel actions such as hiring, firing or promoting

Teachers: Do not count students
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to A34)

A33.

(If yes) How many people did you typically...
If none: Enter "0"

1. Supervise directly

Number supervised ____

2. Supervise through subordinate supervisors?

Number supervised ____

A34.

Before deductions, what was your basic annual salary on this job as of the week of April 15, 1999? (Do not include bonuses, overtime, or additional compensation for summertime teaching or research)

If not salaried: Please estimate your earned income, excluding business expenses
$ _____________________.00
Basic annual salary/earned income

A35.

During a typical week on this job, how many hours did you usually work?
Number of hours per week ____________

A36.

Including paid vacation and paid sick leave, upon how many weeks per year was your salary based?
Number of weeks per year ________

A37.

During the week of April 15, 1999, were you working for pay (or profit) at a second job (or business), including part-time, evening, or weekend work?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to A41)

A38.

(If Yes) What kind of work were you doing at your second job during the week of April 15 ? that is, what was your occupation? Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.

If you had more than two jobs that week: Answer for the job where you worked the second most hours
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

A39.

Using the job codes list (pages 12-13), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on your second job during the week of April 15.
Code __ __ __

A40.

To what extent was your work on this second job related to your (first U.S.) doctoral degree? Was it...

Mark only one
1 [ ] Closely related
2 [ ] Somewhat related
3 [ ] Not related

A41.

Thinking back now to 1998, was any of your work during 1998 supported by contracts or grants from the U.S. government?

0 [ ] Mark this box if you did not work in 1998 and skip to B1
Federal Employees: Please answer "No"
Mark only one
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to A43)
3 [ ] Don't know (Skip to A43)

A42.

(If Yes) Which Federal agencies or departments were supporting your work?
Mark all that apply

1 [ ] Agency for International Development (AID)
2 [ ] Agriculture Department (USDA)
3 [ ] Commerce Department (DOC)
4 [ ] Defense Department (DOD)
5 [ ] Department of Education (include NCES, OERI, FIPSE, FIRST)
6 [ ] Energy Department (DOE)
7 [ ] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
8 [ ] Health and Human Services Department (Excluding NIH)
9 [ ] Interior Department
10 [ ] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
11 [ ] National Institutes of Health (NIH)
12 [ ] National Science Foundation (NSF)
13 [ ] Transportation Department (DOT)
14 [ ] Other ? Specify ______________________________________________
15 [ ] Don't Know Source Agency

A43.

Counting all jobs held in 1998, what was your total earned income for 1998, before deductions? Include all wages, salaries, bonuses, overtime, commissions, consulting fees, net income from businesses, summertime teaching or research, postdoctoral appointment, or other work associated with scholarships

$ _____________________.00
Total 1998 Earned Income

Part B ? Past Employment
B1.

Were you working for pay (or profit) during both of these time periods ? the week of April 15, 1997 and the week of April 15, 1999?
IF YOU WERE A STUDENT: Do NOT count financial aid awards with no work requirement

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to C1)

B2.

(If Yes) During these two time periods ? the week of April 15, 1997, and the week of April 15, 1999 ? were you working for...
Mark only one

1 [ ] Same employer and same job (Skip to C1)
2 [ ] Same employer but different job
3 [ ] Different employer but same job
4 [ ] Different employer and different job

B3.

(IF DIFFERENT) Why did you change your employer or your job?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Pay, promotion opportunities

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Working conditions (e.g., hours, equipment, working environment)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Job location

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Change in career or professional interests

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Family-related reasons (e.g., children, spouse's job moved)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. School-related reasons (e.g., returned to school, completed a degree)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Laid off or job terminated (includes company closings, mergers, buyouts, grant or contract ended)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Retired

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Other ? Specify _________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

Part C ? Other Work and Career Related Experience
C1.

During the past year, did you attend any professional society or association meetings or professional conferences? Include regional, national, or international meetings

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

C2.

To how many national or international professional societies or associations do you currently belong?
Number _____ or 0 [ ] NONE

C3.

During the past year, did you attend any WORK-RELATED workshops, seminars, or other work-related training activities? Do NOT include college courses ? these will be discussed in Part D
Do NOT include professional meetings unless you attended a special training session conducted at the meeting/conference

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to D1)

C4.

(If Yes) During the past year, in which of the following areas did you attend work-related workshops, seminars, or other work-related activities?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Management or supervisor training

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Training in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. General professional training (e.g., public speaking, business writing)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Other work-related training ? Specify _________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

C5.

For which of the following reasons did you attend training activities during the past year?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. To facilitate a change in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. To gain FURTHER skills or knowledge in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. For licensure/certification

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. To increase opportunities for promotion/advancement/higher salary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. To learn skills or knowledge needed for a recently acquired position

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Required or expected by employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Other ? Specify ______________________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

C6.

What was your most important reason for attending training activities? Enter number of appropriate reason from C5 above.
Most important reason from C5 ______

Part D ? Background Information
D1.

Between April 1997 and April 1999, did you take any college or university courses or enroll in a college or university for other reasons, such as completing another Master's or doctorate?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to E1)

D2.

(If Yes) In which college or university department were you primarily taking classes or doing research, etc. (e.g., English, chemistry)?
Department _________________________________________

D3.

During that time, toward what degree or certificate, if any, were you (or are you) working?
0 [ ] Mark this box if no specific degree or certificate and SKIP to D7
IF MORE THAN ONE APPLIES: Mark the highest level

Mark only one
1 [ ] Bachelor's degree
2 [ ] Post baccalaureate certificate
3 [ ] Master's degree (including MBA)
4 [ ] Post master's certificate
5 [ ] Doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., D.S.C., D.Sc., Ed.D.)
6 [ ] Other professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, ThD, MD, DDS) ? Specify ___________________________
7 [ ] Other ? Specify ________________________________________________

D4.

Between April 1997 and April 1999, did you complete a degree or certificate?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (Skip to D7)

D4a.

(If Yes) What degree or certificate did you receive? Enter number of appropriate type of degree/certificate received from D3 above.
Type of degree/certificate from D3 ______

D5.

In what month and year was this degree or certificate awarded?
IF YOU COMPLETED MORE THAN ONE: Enter the date for the highest degree or certificate awarded

Month __ __ Year 19 __ __

D6.

From which academic institution did you receive this degree or certificate?

School Name: _____________________________________________________
City/Town: ______________________________________________________
State/Foreign Country: ____________________________________________

D7.

What was your primary field of study during that time?
PRIMARY FIELD OF STUDY
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

D8.

For which of the following reasons were you taking classes or enrolled between April 1997 and April 1999?
Mark Yes or No for each

1. To gain further education before beginning a career

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. To prepare for graduate school

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. To change your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. To gain FURTHER skills or knowledge in your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. For licensure/certification

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. To increase opportunities for promotion, advancement, or higher salary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Required or expected by employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. For leisure/personal interest

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Other ? Specify ________________________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

D9.

Were any of your school-related costs for taking college or university courses during this time paid for by an employer?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

Part E ? Recent Doctorate Recipients
E1.

Did you receive your (first U.S.) doctoral degree at any time between July 1996 and June 1998?
1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] (Skip to F1)

E2.

(If Yes) Between completing your doctorate and the week of April 15, 1999 have you sought or held what you would consider a "career path" job?
A "career path" job is a job that will help further your career plans or is a job in a field where you want to make your career

1 [ ] Yes, have sought or held a career path job
2 [ ] No, have not sought or held a career path job (Skip to E7)

E3.

(If Yes) To what extent, if at all, was your search for a career path job limited by...
Mark only one for each item

1. Family responsibilities

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

2. Spouse's career or employment

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

3. Debt burden from undergraduate or graduate degrees

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

4. Desire to not relocate or move to place of job

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

5. Suitable job not available

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

6. Other ? Specify ______________________________________________________

1 [ ] A Great Deal 2 [ ] Somewhat 3 [ ] Not Much/Not At All 4 [ ] Not Applicable

E4.

Which of the following resources did you use for seeking or finding your first career path job after receiving your doctorate?
If you have not yet obtained a career path job, please indicate the sources used in your job search
Mark Yes or No for each

1. Faculty or advisors

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Professional recruiters such as "head hunters"

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. College or department placement office

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Professional meetings

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Electronic postings

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Newspapers

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Professional journals

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Informal channels through colleagues or friends

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Direct contacts you initiated with company (e.g., sent unsolicited vita)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

10. Other ? Specify _________________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

E5.

Which TWO resources in E4 were most responsible for finding your first career path job? Enter number of appropriate resource from E4 above.

0 [ ] Mark this box if you have not held or accepted a career path job since receiving your doctorate and SKIP to E7
1. ____ Most important resource
2. ____ Second Most important resource (Enter "0" if no second resource)

E6.

How many months elapsed between the time you completed your doctorate and the time you accepted your first career path job?

If your career path job began while you were completing or within one month of receiving your doctoral degree: Enter "0"
Number of Months _______

E7.

In terms of preparing you for a career, how adequate was your doctoral program or training in each of the following areas?
Mark only one for each item

1. General problem solving skills