Should I care where previous students from a laboratory went after graduation?
Yes. The career paths of a laboratory’s former students can help you judge whether its research and supervision fit your goals. Check the fields and types of employers, graduate-school progression, and whether the pattern is consistent across several years. However, outcomes also depend on each student’s aims and efforts, so do not choose a laboratory based only on alumni destinations; consider its research, supervision, and current students as well.
Key points
- Check whether graduates enter the industries or occupations you are considering, or continue to graduate school.
- Look at patterns across several graduating years rather than relying on a single example or year.
- Also compare the research topics, relationship with the supervisor, and career or further-study support.
Things to check
- The scope and method of reporting career outcomes vary by university, faculty, and laboratory, so check official information and ask the university or laboratory about unclear points. Alumni outcomes do not guarantee your own result.