EQUALITY GUIdE - KU Leuven

92 Equality Guide
rienced as an advantage rather than a disadvantage of an academic career. All studies
also point out that the atmosphere at the shop floor and a fascinating job with respect
to content play a decisive part in the hunt for the perfect job.
When comparing the results of the various survey parts, it becomes apparent that the
students’ perceptions about an academic career are closely in line with their expectations
regarding the ideal job. However, this raises the question whether this perception
conforms to reality. Among other studies, ‘Wetenschap tussen roeping en beroep’ 99 has
shown that many researchers feel disappointed during their careers, because they misjudged
the atmosphere, the pressure of work and the creative freedom. Furthermore,
the analysis of the survey proves that most students have no clear ideas about the opportunities
Ghent University has to offer after their graduation. Nor do the majority of
respondents seem to know how to edge their way through the university’s structures.
Thus, the university’s task is not so much to glamorize an academic career, but rather
to inform the students correctly and thoroughly about their future prospects and
chances. Since a lot of the respondents claim to consider a future career as early as in
their last year but one, it is important to give information early on.
When informing students (through workshops, information sessions, websites, newsletters,
etc), both gender differences and differences between the faculties have to be
taken into account. To be able to discuss the specific possibilities and problem areas of
certain disciplines in detail, it might be more effective to address the students of each
faculty separately. Furthermore, students should be stimulated more to take the initiative
to discuss possible future research topics with members of the academic staff. This
is especially true for female students, since the research on PhD-students 100 concluded
that most female students wait until someone addresses them. Consequently, a large
group of potentially excellent researchers goes to waste.
2.5.2. Prospects for further research
The survey has made it clear that the current ways in which students are given information
about an academic career are not sufficient to give a thorough and balanced picture
of the students’ prospects. Therefore, research has to be done on the ways in
which students can be reached, as well as on the possibility of painting a realistic picture
of the advantages and disadvantages of an academic career. Furthermore, it might
be interesting to follow up a group of students who are interested in becoming researchers
during their final years as students and their first years as young academics.
This way, the extent to which their expectations meet with everyday working life could
be studied thoroughly.
99
De Gier et al. (2001), op. cit.
100 Verlinden et al. (2005), op. cit.