We examined the various career paths of PhDs in the Netherlands. In this publication, we feature the personal stories of ten of our study participants, detailing their careers both within and outside of academia. The ten portraits of PhD graduates are complemented by three portraits of employers describing their experiences working with PhDs. The personal accounts featured in this publication contain a wealth of information and recommendations for PhD students, universities and employers alike.
This paper elaborates on a form of university-industry cooperation called 'collaborative PhDs'. Engineers working at companies or governmental organisations get the opportunity to do a PhD at the university. The aim of these science-based collaborations between academia and industry is to increase the impact of research on sustainable development. However, to fulfil this promise, how should doctoral engineering education for collaborative PhD tracks look like? A literature search, a benchmark on successful doctoral education programmes, in-depth interviews with 10 PhD candidates and their supervisors, as well as observations of meetings, revealed the requirements for a track that is consistent with the relationship and everyone's interest in it, as well as the needs and talents of the PhD candidate. The conclusion of the research is that collaborative PhD candidates come to the university to conduct research, but do not intuitively fit into the academic world. Some feel squeezed between their jobs as, for instance, project managers on the one hand and doctoral candidates at the university on the other hand. This research led to 1 O recommendations for setting up a track within the graduate school. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-sjoer-06506a2/
INTRODUCTION: Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are used during training but may also have significance after graduation. This domain has not yet been much explored. We investigated the use of EPAs among alumni of Master Physician Assistant programs in the Netherlands, where EPAs have been used since 2010. We aim to describe if and how EPAs have a role after graduation. Are EPAs used for continuous entrustment decisions or when shifting work settings?METHODS: In September 2020, all registered Dutch physician assistants (PAs) ( n = 1441) were invited to participate in a voluntary, anonymous survey focusing on the use of EPAs after graduation. Survey items included questions regarding the use and usefulness of EPAs, views on continuous entrustment decisions, and how PAs document their competence.RESULTS: A total of 421 PAs (response rate 29%) yielded information about the significance of EPAs after training. Among the respondents, 60% ( n = 252) reported adding new competencies and skills after graduation. One-third ( n = 120) of the respondents were trained in EPA-based programs. Almost all EPA-trained PAs (96%; n = 103) considered the EPA structure suitable to maintain and renew entrustment. Furthermore, PAs reported continued use of the EPA framework to seek formal qualifications through entrustment decisions.CONCLUSION: This study shows that EPAs can play an ongoing role for PAs after graduation. EPA-trained PAs overwhelmingly support the continuous use of the EPA framework for entrustment decisions from graduation until retirement.
