Doing the Doctorate: What to Know, Where to Go and How to Begin to Win

By Kesslyn Brade Stennis

People often dream of achieving success but don't know the path to do it.

So they keep dreaming instead of DOING!

Doing the Doctorate is written to help doctoral dreamers become doctoral doers.

This book will provide the keys to success so you can know what to know, where

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kesslyn Enterprises LLC
• Release date: Jun 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781087965000

Kesslyn Brade Stennis

Kesslyn Brade Stennis, Ph.D., MSW, MDiv. is a dynamic difference maker. Born in "small town USA", Dr. Kesslyn overcame her own educational challenges to become an award-winning university professor, internationally acclaimed speaker, certified doctoral coach, and published author. Dr. Kesslyn is CEO of Kesslyn Enterprises, LLC and Executive Director for The PhD Consultants where she uses her platforms to share inspirational and informational messages about educational and personal empowerment. Her goal is to help people leverage their education and experiences to make a dynamic difference in the world.

Book preview

To: __________________

From:________________

©  2022 by Dr. Kesslyn Brade Stennis

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

For more information, address:

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www.DrKesslyn.com

Ebook

ISBN 978-1-0879-6500-0

Book Design & Layout:

Kantis Simmons, The SIMAKAN Group

This book is dedicated to those doctoral dreamers and doctoral pursuers who want to make a dynamic difference in the world! Persist!  The world needs you.

Acknowledgment:

I am forever grateful for those who have supported me along my personal and professional journey. Had it not been for a cadre of people, I would not be.

I am thankful for my God, my ancestors, and my family for guiding me throughout the course of my life.

I am thankful for my friends and associates who have supported my dreams.

I am thankful for my professional network which has exposed me to learning outside of the classroom.

I am thankful for my students who have taught me many lessons throughout my years as their teacher.

I am thankful for my collaborators on this project. Without you all, this would not be.

Introduction

Perhaps you are like me and can remember the first time you were awestruck by someone wearing the doctoral robe.  Perhaps you remember your first academic convocation when all the faculty marched in looking regal.  Perhaps you recall being enamored by a professor who fully engaged you in the learning process.  Maybe you have always envisioned wearing the velvet tam and the fancy robe with three bars.  Maybe you have never thought about being a doctor, but someone saw something special and unique in you and encouraged you to reach for the (academic) stars.

Regardless of where the first prompt was or when the visionary seed was planted, you have decided to seriously consider becoming a doctor!  You are about to engage in the pursuit of your educational dream.  You are preparing to launch out into a realm that is unfamiliar to you, and you probably are feeling something that is between being giddy with excitement and being anxious about the unknown.  All of those feelings are NORMAL!

Before you get into the thick of the doctoral journey, let me be among the first to congratulate you on dreaming such a large dream.  The fact that you have even considered taking on such a mammoth task is worthy of validation!  There are so many people who never have entertained the possibility of becoming a doctor.  Maybe they have never seen a doctor, or perhaps no one has told them that they actually can be whatever they want to be, including a doctor.  Regardless of the situation, the possibility of becoming a doctor has never entered the realm of possibility.  However, that’s not your story.  You HAVE thought about it if only for a brief time.  So… CONGRATULATIONS!

Now, before you fully celebrate, you have to know that there are some realities that you need to understand, and here they are. The actual rate of admission for doctoral programs can range from approximately 2% to 23%.  Furthermore, only 50% of those admitted complete the program and graduate with a doctoral degree.  Additionally, only 1-4% of the entire global population has an earned doctoral degree. What does that mean? Getting a doctoral degree is a HUGE undertaking!  While most people don’t even think of getting a doctoral degree, many others who attempt to earn their doctorate either don’t get admitted to a program or don’t complete their doctoral program. Even the thought of pursuing your doctorate is enough to make you have feelings that you may never have experienced before.

Let me allay some of your concerns by sharing some words for you to consider as you make your doctoral plans. I