The Walden commitment to social change resonated for me because of my history of volunteering and helping businesses. I have three companies that I own, that I'm CEO of and founder of. So I spend about 50% of my time as a management consultant, primarily for privately held businesses as well as nonprofit organizations. I feel that in order for me to be successful, not only in my businesses, but as an adviser to businesses, I have to stay on the leading edge, both relative to my skills and my work experience but also relative to my academic knowledge. So that's the primary reason why I continued with my education and I'm continuing with the D.B.A. Program.
I attended my first residency early in the D.B.A. Program, and I would recommend that to all D.B.A. students. The reason being is the residency puts a face on the university. You'll be surprised at how many students that you meet at residency as well as the instructors and how outgoing these people are. My doctoral chair is very proactive in working with me and with other students for whom he serves as the chair of their doctoral study. He tells me when he's traveling on business and because I travel on business extensively and from time to time we're able to connect in certain cities, have lunch together or have dinner together and work face to face, which is in addition to the residencies and the writing intensives that give us the opportunity to meet the faculty of Walden.
If you are considering pursuing a D.B.A. degree, I would strongly recommend that you consider Walden University. It's a very strong program. This is not an easy program. It's rigorous. You're going to have to commit to it. And, frankly, that's the way it should be because a doctoral degree is not for everyone. But if you are focused on a D.B.A. degree and if you're willing to commit the time and the effort, I guarantee you that you will have a positive learning experience at Walden.
