All about my journey from the corporate world to starting a PhD.
If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be starting a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), I might’ve smiled politely and returned to my quarterly targets. My life was engaged in corporate strategy, telecom innovation, and performance metrics. But somewhere in that journey, I started asking a deeper questions, such as “how do we grow?” and “how do we grow responsibly?”
I investigated AI integration, ethical decision-making, and the growing divide between algorithmic automation and human intuition as a result of that query. After working in the industry for more than 15 years, I wanted to do more than just contribute to reports and KPIs; I wanted to conduct research on solutions that enabled systems and people to collaborate in a meaningful and transparent way.
Finding the right supervisor was a turning point. In addition to academic credentials, I also sought alignment. My supervisor encouraged me to create a proposal that demonstrated both rigor and heart by listening to not only my topic idea but also the backstory.
If you're thinking about applying, my tips are simple:
- Start with purpose, not perfection. Just ask a question that is important to you; you don't need all the answers.
- Find a supervisor who aligns with your “why and how.” It changes everything.
- Reflect on your experience. Your journey to this point is your strength, not a detour.
Making the connection between what I know and what the world needs was my only goal when I started this journey. You're already headed in the right direction if that speaks to you.
All the best,
Tej