Professional paths of alumni from doctorate programs in health and biological sciences

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the career path and professional satisfaction of alumni from thedoctorate degree programs in health sector.

METHODS

Exploratory study with 827 alumni of doctoral programs in public health,biological and health sciences at the Fundação OswaldoCruz , RJ, Southeastern Brazil, from1984 to 2007. The subjectswere grouped in three cross-temporal cohorts according to year. The profilesof the alumni were analyzed, their career paths mapped and information onthe perceptions of the education they received and the reasons that led themto choose the institute for their doctoral courses gathered, as well astheir evaluations of the courses. The data were collected by means of anonline questionnaire.

RESULTS

There are differences between cohorts of alumni related to the periods theyfollowed the courses, their distinct educational backgrounds and laborprocesses between those from the biological and health sciences areas, andto the specificities of the different areas where the institution offersdoctoral courses: public health, biological and health sciences.

CONCLUSIONS

The results allow the academic management of the educational processes toexpend its knowledge, thus establishing a baseline for tracking thetrajectory of alumni, and may contribute to upgrading the follow up processof Brazilian graduate programs.