MY EXPERIENCE STUDYING A DBA
“As my DBA journey reached its conclusion, I reflected on who I was then and who I am now. Was it easy? No!
Was it worth it? Absolutely!”
– Tony Lopez
My name is Dayanna Cardenas. I am an Ecuadorian who has always been looking to achieve the dream of studying a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). This experience is such an academic and professional challenge that requires commitment, investigation, and critical analysis. In this essay, I will share my experience studying for a DBA in the United States, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I got along the way.
From the beginning, I realize that having full-time job while pursuing graduate coursework is not something for everybody. Despite having prior knowledge of the major, the academic level required for the DBA was demanding compare to anything else I had experienced before. The interpretation of complex academic articles, writing essays and research reports demanded a lot of analysis and information. At first, I struggled to think of some concepts, which guided me to put extra time to improve my academic skills.
The main reason I chose Atlantic University was because of the flexible schedule, timely coursework, and salaried students who bring their professional practices to the class. In support of the working professionals, the university provides courses offering personal and professional support for a better decision-making. One of the biggest challenges was to make essays under a critical thinking and the exchange of ideas, so it was crucial to be able to communicate my arguments clearly and effectively. Opportunely, I had the support of my tutors who were continuously willing to offer me a constructive feedback.
On the other hand, studying in English allowed me to expand my analytical and adaptability abilities to access to an international network of professionals and academics. The program changes who you are and how you think about the world.
In conclusion, studying a DBA in the United States was a challenging yet highly rewarding experience. For many professionals, returning to school after years in the workforce may be a distant dream. However, I realize that professional experience is such a priceless asset. My choice to study a Doctorate was the fruit of my valuable experience in project management, entrepreneurship and a master’s degree.
I’ve always dreamed of setting up my own business and creating something impactful in my motherland. This led me to seek for academic programs that could help me bridge the gap between theory and practice. Despite the initial difficulties, determination was the key to overcome difficulties and making the most of this transformative experience.
