Post-Submission Dilemma: A qualitative Analysis of Doctoral Candidates’ Health Worries and Missing Job Opportunities due to Delayed PhD Degrees

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to explore the implications of delaying the PhD on the health worries and the Job opportunities in terms of education, and experience within the university among the students in Pakistan. Long turnarounds are usually as a result of bureaucratic inertia, retirements of supervisors and administrative jerks thus slowing the progress of academics as well as careers. Qualitative design and gathering of the first-person narratives among 20 doctoral students and three focus groups of 33 respondents were used. It was found out through analyses that there was a correlation between long tenure in the doctoral degree and high levels of stress, anxiety, high blood pressure and diabetes. Furthermore, belated certification hindered the entry into the labor market and restricted the opportunities of placement in critical academic/professional positions. The paper highlights the need of universities to optimize administrative processes, improve communication efforts as well as offer an effective mental health care network. These measures are necessary in helping to complete degrees in time, reduce health risk, improve the employability and general well-being of doctoral degree students.