What did you do before this DBA?

Consultant

What did you experience during the program?

The DBA program provided rigorous training in academic research. I came into the program with technical and quantitative skills. However, I had limited knowledge of how to properly conduct empirical research. As part of consulting engagements, I had been involved in collecting and analyzing business data but during the DBA program I was exposed to methodologies and best practices that can be applied not only to academic settings but also practitioner settings.

How did you benefit from the program?

Certainly, this has bolstered my credibility as a consultant. Additionally, it’s drawn me closer to academia and the university through teaching Decision Sciences and Information Systems Technology Management courses at Graziadio across a number of graduate programs. The DBA program has provided me the ability to uniquely blend my professional and academic experiences for my students.

Why would you recommend this program to others?

It depends on your motivation. If you’ve already completed a master’s degree (or two as I had) and feel that something is still missing from your academic pursuits, you also don’t want to spend 6+ years in a PhD program, and don't want to completely leave industry during that time, then the DBA program might be for you. Obviously, there is still some lack of understanding in the United States on why it’s different than a PhD, largely that the focus is on impacting management practice as opposed to contributing to academic theory, but it does open career doors that weren’t there prior to the degree.