Meet Franklin Dukes, MBA. Vice President, Finance Manager, Global Transaction Services, Bank of America. United States Navy.
I’m often asked two questions by people considering doctoral studies. How did you arrive at your decision, and what has it been like so far?
Believe it or not, my journey to pursue a doctorate actually started 7,300 miles away from my house at the bottom of the Hindu-Kush Mountains in Afghanistan. I was recalled to active duty (Navy) in 2006 to support Operation Enduring Freedom. I was a part of a broader effort to help train the Afghan National Army and Police in basic military operations... and a personal effort not to get shot by the Taliban!
During this tour of duty, I was fortunate to connect with two fellow reservists, Martin Armstrong, currently Director of Payroll for Charter Communications, and Mike Hassien, currently Chief Scientist, Johns Hopkins University. Martin was in the process of getting his doctorate and suggested that I pursue it if I ever wanted to work full- or part-time in academia. At that time, I had recently completed my MBA at Wake Forest University and had zero desire to step into another classroom ever again. So, I pretty much told him to go take a long walk off a short bridge!
My interaction with Mike was much more formal, as he was my boss during the deployment. Fast forward several years and multiple military reunions later, Martin, now Dr. Armstrong, suggested that I reconsider obtaining a doctoral degree, as he was truly enjoying his role as an adjunct professor while continuing his corporate career. It was around that time that Mike informed us of his decision to pursue his doctorate in engineering and that he may have to miss a reunion or two. I was much more open to the idea of it since, hell, if they can do it, maybe I can to! But I still wasn’t quite ready for the challenge.
After a few years passed, Mike became Dr. Hassien and fully transitioned from corporate to academia. During a random lunch with Dr. Armstrong, he suggested that I seriously reconsider looking into doctoral programs, and I promised him that I would. After this discussion, I decided to call my dad, who is a retired academic (PhD Purdue University…go Boilermakers!) to get his opinion. After 30 minutes of “I told you so’s” and “I’ve been telling you that for years...blah…blah…blah", I finally regained consciousness and promised him I would research it.
My goal was to find an accredited program that was relatively close to my home. After discovering the Charlotte DBA program, I connected with Dr. Hassien to get his thoughts. He shared his personal doctoral journey with me and wisely suggested that I get “approval from the boss” before pursuing. After my wife was on board with the idea, I applied and was accepted.
If you are considering pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), I’d like to provide you with a bit of perspective. During my entire first semester, it felt as if someone had dropped me off in the middle of an Iowa cornfield at night, with a flashlight just bright enough to illuminate a few feet at a time, with the expectation that I would have the ability to figure out how to make it back to the farmhouse. Few instructions, no map, no compass, and no cell service. “What the hell did I get myself into?” was my semester-long personal soundtrack.
I have since learned that this is by design. DBA programs are grounded in research and training, for the intensive dissertation process begins as soon as your foot crosses the threshold of your in-person or virtual classroom. Be prepared, and buckle up. Pre-class assignments, in-class learning gaps (statistics, academic writing, APA citation requirements) individual semester projects, team assignments, etc. will require academic exploration. Most doctoral programs are consistent with this approach. You are expected to find solutions... they will not be handed to you.
Just keep in mind that YOU…CAN…DO…THIS!
