Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/223917 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13475
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We investigate whether excessively optimistic beliefs may play a role in the persistent demand for doctoral and post-doctoral training in science. We elicit the beliefs and career preferences of doctoral students through a novel survey and randomize the provision of structured information on the true state of the academic market and information through role models on non-academic careers. One year later, both treatments lead students to update their beliefs about the academic market and impact career preferences. However, we do not find an effect on actual career outcomes 2 years post-intervention.
Subjects: 
career preferences
biased beliefs
information
higher education
science
JEL: 
I23
D80
D84
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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