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1988

Abstract

right now — and I encourage you to consider these questions. For me, the natural career path was college leadership, and this doctoral degree would be a strong asset to me as I progressed. Personally, I always wanted a terminal degree — it felt like an educational accomplishment I wanted to achieve.</p><p id="16ff">Looking back, I was going through a large personal crisis at that time, and I had a strong need to “prove myself” somehow, which was a big reason I enrolled in the program. I also doubted my desire to advance in college leadership and thought this program would “convince me” to stick with it for the foreseeable future. Neither of these reasons is psychologically healthy as they are seeking external validation — I learned this along the way. (I now have healthy ways to manage my feelings that focus inward.)</p><h2 id="dc92">What is your investment?</h2><p id="78c8"><b>Money</b>: Do you have the money to pay for a program? In the United States, graduate programs are expensive and can often lead to mounting student loan debt. In hindsight, I wish I had waited to have more money saved for my doctoral work as I have debt that is now a financial blockade to career changes I want to make. In May of 2015, I had no idea what I’d be doing right now — but I can say I would have more financial freedom today if I had planned more mindfully (and finished on time).</p><p id="97a9"><b>Time</b>: What amount of time can you commit to your program? Can you enroll as a full-time student? Will you be working while also a student? Do you have large chunks of time you can dedicate to your studies? What type of rest or downtime do you need to recharge? What are you willing to give up to make time for your program?</p><p id="1e1c">I have worked full-time while in this doctoral program. It makes it harder for me as I run out of energy for thinking at the end of the day. (This is another reason for my delay in completion.) Others seem to power through without feeling th

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e drain. Be mindful of your abilities and be honest about what you have to give.</p><h2 id="2894">What (or who) is your support system?</h2><p id="9749">Who else is in your life? Do you have a partner? A family? Are you caring for aging parents? Are they supportive of the time you will give to this educational process? Be open about your plans and build your network to support you along the way. My partner is always supportive — I have also seen his frustration. Be communicative with those around you so you share the same vision of how this will go.</p><p id="5cb1">Remember that if you are working, a supportive boss/manager can really help you when you need time or space to complete what needs to be done.</p><h2 id="e90b">What will you learn?</h2><p id="db78">Think beyond your subject of study. You will learn a lot academically and learn a lot about yourself. You will become a deeper, more critical thinker. You will understand how and why you think and calculate the way you do. You will become better at communicating with others.</p><p id="d1b1">My philosophy is that self-awareness is the foundation for our learning and growth. I have worked through personal issues, psychological challenges, and career transitions while trudging through the dissertation process. I understand my motivations, the honest reasons for my delays, and the tools I can use to move forward. These lessons go beyond finishing this degree; they will guide me for the rest of my life.</p><p id="0e05">(I am on track to complete my doctoral degree in 2022. I am grateful I did not quit in all I have gone through in the past seven years. I’ll be sure to update you throughout the year. Happy learning!)</p><p id="2d20"><i>Thank you for following me and reading my work. If you’re new to Medium, join by using <a href="https://medium.com/@herrmannwc/membership">my link here</a>. It’s a wonderful way to support fellow writers, and you’ll get full access to great content!</i></p></article></body>

I’m 7 Years into a 3 Year Ed.D. Program

Things to think about before you begin

In May 2015, I started a three-year Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program. The program is two years of classroom coursework with the third and final year for the dissertation process. Projected graduation date: May 2018.

At the time, I was working in a middle management role at a community college, and this degree, focusing on Higher Education Leadership, opens doors for advancement in the college system. I had three colleagues join me at the beginning. All three of them graduated in May 2018. I did not.

I have been stuck in a repeat loop of dissertation writing for the third and final year.

I have continuously enrolled in one dissertation writing unit/credit every semester for the past five years, making painfully slow progress. The financial impact alone should have prompted me to quit long ago. And yet, I have learned more about myself in this seven-year-long process than any formal education program could ever teach me. I am not giving up. Here are a few things to think about as you navigate your graduate program journey.

What is Your Why?

Why do you want this degree or credential? Are there specific personal and/or professional goals that will be met? What will change for you when you have it? Are you considering advanced education because you don’t know what else to do?

You may not have these answers right now — and I encourage you to consider these questions. For me, the natural career path was college leadership, and this doctoral degree would be a strong asset to me as I progressed. Personally, I always wanted a terminal degree — it felt like an educational accomplishment I wanted to achieve.

Looking back, I was going through a large personal crisis at that time, and I had a strong need to “prove myself” somehow, which was a big reason I enrolled in the program. I also doubted my desire to advance in college leadership and thought this program would “convince me” to stick with it for the foreseeable future. Neither of these reasons is psychologically healthy as they are seeking external validation — I learned this along the way. (I now have healthy ways to manage my feelings that focus inward.)

What is your investment?

Money: Do you have the money to pay for a program? In the United States, graduate programs are expensive and can often lead to mounting student loan debt. In hindsight, I wish I had waited to have more money saved for my doctoral work as I have debt that is now a financial blockade to career changes I want to make. In May of 2015, I had no idea what I’d be doing right now — but I can say I would have more financial freedom today if I had planned more mindfully (and finished on time).

Time: What amount of time can you commit to your program? Can you enroll as a full-time student? Will you be working while also a student? Do you have large chunks of time you can dedicate to your studies? What type of rest or downtime do you need to recharge? What are you willing to give up to make time for your program?

I have worked full-time while in this doctoral program. It makes it harder for me as I run out of energy for thinking at the end of the day. (This is another reason for my delay in completion.) Others seem to power through without feeling the drain. Be mindful of your abilities and be honest about what you have to give.

What (or who) is your support system?

Who else is in your life? Do you have a partner? A family? Are you caring for aging parents? Are they supportive of the time you will give to this educational process? Be open about your plans and build your network to support you along the way. My partner is always supportive — I have also seen his frustration. Be communicative with those around you so you share the same vision of how this will go.

Remember that if you are working, a supportive boss/manager can really help you when you need time or space to complete what needs to be done.

What will you learn?

Think beyond your subject of study. You will learn a lot academically and learn a lot about yourself. You will become a deeper, more critical thinker. You will understand how and why you think and calculate the way you do. You will become better at communicating with others.

My philosophy is that self-awareness is the foundation for our learning and growth. I have worked through personal issues, psychological challenges, and career transitions while trudging through the dissertation process. I understand my motivations, the honest reasons for my delays, and the tools I can use to move forward. These lessons go beyond finishing this degree; they will guide me for the rest of my life.

(I am on track to complete my doctoral degree in 2022. I am grateful I did not quit in all I have gone through in the past seven years. I’ll be sure to update you throughout the year. Happy learning!)

Thank you for following me and reading my work. If you’re new to Medium, join by using my link here. It’s a wonderful way to support fellow writers, and you’ll get full access to great content!