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In-depth Interviews of Alumni from a Structured Postdoctoral Training Program

In-depth Interviews of Alumni from a Structured Postdoctoral Training Program. Jessica M. Faupel-Badger 1 , David E. Nelson 1 , Kimberley Raue 2 , Sophia Tsakraklides 2 1 Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, National Cancer Institute 2 Westat, Inc. American Evaluation Association

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In-depth Interviews of Alumni from a Structured Postdoctoral Training Program

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  1. In-depth Interviews of Alumni from a Structured Postdoctoral Training Program Jessica M. Faupel-Badger1, David E. Nelson1, Kimberley Raue2, Sophia Tsakraklides2 1Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, National Cancer Institute 2Westat, Inc. American Evaluation Association Evaluation 2013

  2. NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) • Post-doctoral NCI Fellowship with 25 year history • Multidisciplinary • Independent, mentored-research in cancer prevention • 10-15 Fellows selected annually through competitive process

  3. CPFP Program Components • Master of Public Health degree (typically year 1) • Mentored research (years 2-4) • Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention • Fellows’ Research Meetings • Cancer Prevention and Control Colloquia • Grant writing • Professional development training (e.g., leadership, oral presentations)

  4. Rationale for CPFP Evaluation • Program started in 1985, now have over 200 alumni • Inform programming within CPFP curriculum, recruitment and selection of fellows, and allocation of resources • Applicable to broader postdoctoral research training community

  5. Career Outcomes Evaluation of CPFP Alumni • Determine if CPFP meeting goals of training cancer prevention researchers and leaders • Provide insight into value of structured training programs; transdisciplinary environments • Three part process – Qualitative interviews, survey, archival analysis

  6. Conceptual Framework • Activities • Program Characteristics: • Receipt of MPH degree • Number of years in CPFP • Participation in CPFP Training Activities • Outcomes • Scientific Productivity • Career Choices • Career Advancement • Peer Recognition • Transdisciplinary Collaboration • Inputs • Fellow Characteristics: • Age • Gender • Race\Ethnicity • Doctoral Degree • Years Since Degree • Scientific Discipline

  7. Purpose for In-depth Interviews • Assess benefits of program as perceived by CPFP alumni • Recommendations for maintaining and improving aspects of CPFP • Inform survey instrument development

  8. Selection of Alumni for Interviews • 18 alumni randomly selected across each of three career sectors (government, academia, other) • 27 alumni interviewed (9 government, 9 academia, and 9 other) • Selection based on first nine alumni in each category who agreed to participate

  9. Comparison of Interviewees to All Alumni Interviewed (n=27) All alumni (n=211) • Among all alumni, more in government (50%) • Earliest (1985-89) and most recent classes (2005-2009) less represented in interview group

  10. Interview Structure and Analysis • Open-ended questions, approximately 30 min recorded phone interview • NVivo for qualitative data analysis – coding themes and other key issues

  11. Interview Questions – Career Preparation • Specific training elements within CPFP curriculum • Career planning/view of career options during CPFP • Current employment

  12. Interview Questions – Professional Identity • Participating in professional community • Mentorship and autonomy • Benefits to CPFP alumni

  13. Major Findings • Value of Master of Public Health degree • Autonomy • Recommendations for program improvement

  14. Quotes – Value of MPH • “Profound. Profound effect. I think that’s one of the most important things not only during the fellowship, but in my life…one of the nicest features of the fellowship program.” • “…[the MPH] definitely gave me a different view of how research could be done…”

  15. MPH – Alumni Perspectives Provided: • Different view of research • Foundation in public health • Filled gaps in knowledge • Common language • Credibility • Opportunity for career transition

  16. MPH as Central Locus

  17. Quotes - Autonomy • “Since I was a Cancer Prevention Fellow, I think I was given more flexibility to kind of craft my own research with my mentor versus ones he hired and was paying out of his own pocket…I think that really was helpful especially for moving up and kind of creating more people to be an independent thinker.” • “…if I didn’t have that opportunity to develop my own independent research, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing…”

  18. Quotes - Recommendations • “…reach out to alumni…Help us get connected.” • “…structured conversations about career opportunities…” and “…hear about negotiating job offers…” • “…need more placements in the community. Fellows need to leave ivory tower of NCI and NIH.”

  19. Next Steps • Survey instrument developed – in OMB review • CPFP alumni, CPFP applicants, F32 awardees • Capturing career trajectory and outcomes • Archival data (bibliometric analysis) of each survey group • Preparing manuscript based on qualitative interviews

  20. Thank you!Questions?

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