Added value of acquired skills

Published on 23/06/2020 - Updated on 30/09/2022

Our surveys point to the added value of the skills acquired during the doctorate in the pursuit of a career after the doctorate. While scientific and technical skills are widely cited, cross-disciplinary skills are also cited, regardless of the business sector (academic research, private R&D or non-research sector). Doctors' awareness of the importance of life skills (perseverance, creativity, rigour, autonomy, adaptation, etc.) and cross-disciplinary skills (communication, collaboration and cognitive abilities, etc.) acquired during their doctoral training increases over time (see for example the 2017 survey).

Plus-values des compétences acquises pendant le doctorat
Docteurs 2012	à 1 an	à 5 ans	Différence
Compétences scientifiques et techniques	94%	85%	-9%
Capacité cognitives	62%	73%	+11%
Autonomie	47%	72%	+25%
Gestion de problématiques complexes	66%	68%	+2%
Communication	44%	57%	+13%
Persévérance	21%	56%	+35%
Adaptation	32%	56%	+24%
Rigueur	29%	54%	+25%
Collaboration	38%	53%	+15%
Gestion de projet	48%	44%	-4%
Créativité	30%	44%	+14%

Extrait des compétences citées comme utiles, déterminantes ou indispensables pour la poursuite de carrière des docteurs 2012 à 1 an et 5 ans suivant leur soutenance (Enquête Emploi Ile de France, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Est, Ecole Polytechnique, Adoc talent management)

Our surveys also highlight the fact that thinking about one's career plans from the very outset of the doctoral course is a key element for an effective career. Doctoral candidates with a defined career plan at the time of their defence have a better employment rate at 1 year and are more frequently "very satisfied" with their professional situation than others (see, for example, surveys 2013 and 2014).

Mobility in France and abroad, additional training during the doctorate, as well as complementary tasks are very frequently cited as determining factors in the career development of doctors employed in both the public and private sectors (see, for example, the 2013 survey). In response to the question "What courses would you advise a doctoral candidate take if they want to be hired in your position? "The main courses mentioned concern project management, defining one's career plans, communication and teamwork. Courses on knowledge of professions and organisations are also widely cited (see for example the 2015 survey).

Among the various means that have enabled doctors to find their jobs (network, job sites, unsolicited application, forums, etc.), the professional network developed during doctoral training is widely cited as the most important, for doctors in employment in both the public and private sectors (see, for example, the 2013 survey).