Guest Blogger: Dr. Katie O'Dell,
Adjunct Professor, Wilmington University
I always wanted to be a doctor; I just never knew it would be a “business doctor”. I started college as a pre-med/biology major. After a few months, I realized that I was just not cut out for that path, and I switched my major to marketing and never looked back. A year after graduating college, I had the opportunity to move abroad and work for an international bank. When I returned to the US, I pursued my master’s degree in international marketing. I spoke with my advisor about pursuing a PHD in business as I was finishing the master’s program. He advised me to continue my career, and if getting my doctorate was something I was meant to do, I’d find my way back to it someday.
Fast forward 17 years. After years of fighting imposter syndrome, balancing work, family, and volunteering, I faced a minor career setback and a shakeup at the company I was working for. I realized that I needed to have a backup plan. I also realized that I did not know enough about how to run a business. I knew that now was the time to find my way back to a doctorate program.
I found the DBA program at Wilmington University in Delaware, which started in fall 2017. It was perfect for a working mom with three teenage sons, but the biggest challenge was managing my time effectively. Work ramped up as I became the program manager for a major product launch that required a lot of travel and meetings with team members on the west coast after working hours. Picking the kids up from school and taking them to sports practice became an Olympic time trial. Trying to keep our house and family running smoothly required a lot of commitment, love, and patience from my husband. I found the best way to keep on top of my schoolwork was to carry my books and laptop with me everywhere. If I had 20 minutes while waiting for the kids or hours at a track meet, I would be reading, taking notes, researching, and writing.
I had an extremely supportive dissertation team who encouraged me to stay focused on my research topic – a work readiness needs assessment for cancer survivors in Delaware—which I worked on throughout the DBA program. I was able to finish the course work, research, write, and defend my dissertation in under 3 years. It was a mad dash, but I set an aggressive goal to graduate in May 2020.
I began teaching doctoral-level ethics in the fall of 2020, which helped bolster my confidence and allowed me to continue my love of learning, writing, and sharing my years of experience. My career quickly took off after I set new and loftier goals. I secured a new position in January 2021, and another in July 2023. Both were steps up from where I was when I started the program. I am now working at my dream job and company, one that I have long admired.
The amazing benefit of the DBA program is not just the diploma on the wall, or the title of doctor. The real benefit is the feeling of security, confidence, and accomplishment that no one can take away from you.
Seven years after I initially applied to the DBA program, I look back in amazement at all the blessings and opportunities that have come since I took that first step.
