A bridge over troubled water. The difficult crossing from academia to the 'real world' of industry

Addresses the integration of junior scientists and technologists in industry and briefly reports some of the findings of a major survey conducted in Portugal among doctoral students and newly graduated PhDs. This paper examines career prospects and assesses the extent to which postgraduates are receptive to a job in industry. The findings show that postgraduates generally feel they are over-qualified for most jobs in Portuguese industry. Their reluctance to pursue a career in industry depends mainly on their attitudes towards science and towards academic values and academic ways of doing things. Their receptiveness to a career in industry also depends on how they feel about getting involved in activities usually associated with the business environment, such as management and production-related activities. Implications for the individuals, the business organizations and the educational system are explored.