“Any data at all,” said one of more than 1,200 respondents to our nonscientific survey. Others sought program-level details, specificity on job types, a long-term view, and equal attention to nonacademic positions.

More than 1,000 people responded in the first day, offering some insight into their experiences.

We’ve heard from some universities that do, in fact, keep detailed records of what happens to their Ph.D. students.

A day after unveiling this project, we’ve received more than 600 responses. In devising ways to collect data on job placements, we’re starting with crowdsourced information but plan to make this a formal research project.

Academics chat over Twitter about the whys and hows of data-gathering.

Everyone wants better job-placement information for recipients of doctoral degrees. We’re ready to tackle the challenge of collecting the data. We invite you to pitch in.