COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Stella Smith

TITLE: DEGREES WITHOUT PLACEMENT: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF WORKFORCE MISALIGNMENT AND EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES AMONG EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PHD GRADUATES

ABSTRACT: The increasing number of doctoral degree recipients has created concerns regarding the relationship between advanced educational attainment and workforce opportunities. Although Educational Leadership PhD programs are designed to prepare graduates for advanced leadership, administrative, and academic roles, many graduates experience challenges securing employment aligned with their doctoral preparation. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Educational Leadership PhD graduates as they navigate workforce opportunities, employment barriers, credential inflation, and changing labor market expectations after doctoral completion. Existing research has examined doctoral attainment, workforce trends, and higher education employment outcomes; however, limited research has explored how Educational Leadership PhD graduates interpret their transition from doctoral preparation into professional employment. This study will be guided by four research questions: (1) How do Educational Leadership PhD graduates describe their lived experiences transitioning from doctoral degree attainment into workforce opportunities? (2) What employment barriers do Educational Leadership PhD graduates identify after earning advanced credentials? (3) How do graduates interpret workforce misalignment and credential inflation within higher education employment systems? (4) How do Educational Leadership PhD graduates adapt strategically to evolving labor market demands? A hermeneutic phenomenological research approach will be used to examine the shared experiences of approximately 8–12 Educational Leadership PhD graduates who completed their degrees within the past five years from accredited institutions in the United States. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews conducted through Zoom and analyzed using phenomenological data analysis procedures. This study seeks to provide insight into how graduates experience the relationship between doctoral preparation, workforce alignment, and employment opportunities while identifying strategies for navigating evolving labor market demands.

Keywords: Educational leadership PhD graduates, hermeneutic phenomenology workforce misalignment employment, barriers, credential inflation, higher education labor market

Zoom Link:

https://pvpanther.zoom.us/j/82536711892?pwd=kg8d6RvPJXe6S6MLxFLtLBUCSYa5MS.1

Meeting ID: 825 3671 1892

Passcode: 907281