Guest Blogger: KerriLaine Prunella
Management Executive and Advisor
My accomplishments in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors have shaped the first 23 years of my career. The majority of my career in the public sector stems from an early connection to the value and rewards of public service. I worked in the private sector for a few years and began my federal career as an intern in 2006, while attending graduate school at night.
In 2020, I was appointed to an executive position. Throughout my career, I led government-wide workgroups on executive development, performance, and engagement. I also served as a mentor and presented on mentorship, inclusive leadership, and management. I am a proponent of continuous learning and try to model it for my team and my family, especially my ten-year-old daughter.
My career has been a series of experiences and not linear. The journey to the DBA began over six years ago. Annually, I create a development plan for myself and note ideas for the year and future plans. I started researching doctorate programs and created a file. Last summer, while texting with a dear friend about her interest in a DBA, the pros and cons, the impact on family, and what she was seeking for future career growth, it made me think about that file I created years ago too. It is not a decision to be made hastily. A phrase I like to use is: "A seed is not harvested the same day it’s planted.". For me, ideas (seeds) I had years ago have now become a reality, and I am preparing for what I refer to as my career “third act.”. This is the time after retiring from the government and transitioning to higher education and consulting. Higher education is evolving, and I want to influence the next generation of leaders early in their journey - as students.
A DBA offers rigor in research, data analysis, and decision-making tools with direct business impact. I considered a few programs and created a spreadsheet to compare. This included the format (hybrid, online, and residency requirements), topic offerings, the dissertation timeframe, and costs. I was accepted at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. It offers a program format that fits my professional life, family, and it is not a far metro ride from my house. I attended Marymount for organization development, and I valued the professors’ academic research in their fields and the practical application methods they taught. To prepare for becoming a student again, I am currently enrolled in a five-month executive development program. It’s been helpful to prepare my family too.
My daughter already plans for us to read and do our homework together.
