DBA: ROI and motivation?

[absamer]

Okay, so I'm someone who needs to see the ROI of any investment I make. With roughly 20 years of experience in multinational Tech companies, I've served both as a leader and as an individual contributor across various fields such as cybersecurity & IoT, and domains including sales, technical, channel, and consulting.

Regarding the DBA, from my perspective, it doesn't seem to provide a significant push in the Tech industry. When I interview candidates, we don't emphasize certifications too much unless the role is technical. However, I've always had the ambition to earn a doctoral certification. My challenge now is identifying a compelling "ROI" to maintain my motivation once I begin the program.

Based on your experience, or from those you know:

- How much might a DBA holder earn at a reputable university if they opt to teach at some point? I understand the DBA leans more towards the professional side, but I'm curious about the academic perspective.

- Are there any standout DBA research studies that have made significant, groundbreaking contributions or earned considerable recognition?

- If I'm not pursuing a DBA to further my career, is there still a logical reason to undertake it?

I'd appreciate hearing about the motivation that drove you to start and finish your DBA and your feelings about the journey thus far. Thanks!

[ss20ts]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

[absamer]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

Thanks for the response!

How about part-time teaching jobs? Maybe online? I was also interested to give like 1 online class once I get my DBA - have you seen that happening?

[Duneranger]

Okay, so I'm someone who needs to see the ROI of any investment I make. With roughly 20 years of experience in multinational Tech companies, I've served both as a leader and as an individual contributor across various fields such as cybersecurity & IoT, and domains including sales, technical, channel, and consulting.

Regarding the DBA, from my perspective, it doesn't seem to provide a significant push in the Tech industry. When I interview candidates, we don't emphasize certifications too much unless the role is technical. However, I've always had the ambition to earn a doctoral certification. My challenge now is identifying a compelling "ROI" to maintain my motivation once I begin the program.

Based on your experience, or from those you know:

- How much might a DBA holder earn at a reputable university if they opt to teach at some point? I understand the DBA leans more towards the professional side, but I'm curious about the academic perspective.

- Are there any standout DBA research studies that have made significant, groundbreaking contributions or earned considerable recognition?

- If I'm not pursuing a DBA to further my career, is there still a logical reason to undertake it?

I'd appreciate hearing about the motivation that drove you to start and finish your DBA and your feelings about the journey thus far. Thanks!

DBA is not an academic degree, a PhD is.

It’s akin to the “professional” doctorates similar to the Ed.D, DHA, DPT, DNP etc.

Personally, I don’t see an any advantage of a DBA over a MBA from a well-regarded program.

The ROI just isn’t there. It’s a personal goal sort of degree.

[bjcheung77]

DBA's can teach at the community colleges if they wanted to, I've seen a few people do that, but these degrees are more applied doctorates and not research. It really depends on what your reasons are for going this route, a DBA can be beneficial for many reasons. Each person has their own thoughts of what they want to accomplish academically and professionally...

[absamer]

Okay, so I'm someone who needs to see the ROI of any investment I make. With roughly 20 years of experience in multinational Tech companies, I've served both as a leader and as an individual contributor across various fields such as cybersecurity & IoT, and domains including sales, technical, channel, and consulting.

Regarding the DBA, from my perspective, it doesn't seem to provide a significant push in the Tech industry. When I interview candidates, we don't emphasize certifications too much unless the role is technical. However, I've always had the ambition to earn a doctoral certification. My challenge now is identifying a compelling "ROI" to maintain my motivation once I begin the program.

Based on your experience, or from those you know:

- How much might a DBA holder earn at a reputable university if they opt to teach at some point? I understand the DBA leans more towards the professional side, but I'm curious about the academic perspective.

- Are there any standout DBA research studies that have made significant, groundbreaking contributions or earned considerable recognition?

- If I'm not pursuing a DBA to further my career, is there still a logical reason to undertake it?

I'd appreciate hearing about the motivation that drove you to start and finish your DBA and your feelings about the journey thus far. Thanks!

DBA is not an academic degree, a PhD is.

It’s akin to the “professional” doctorates similar to the Ed.D, DHA, DPT, DNP etc.

Personally, I don’t see an any advantage of a DBA over a MBA from a well-regarded program.

The ROI just isn’t there. It’s a personal goal sort of degree.

Yes, looks like it's a personal goal as I can't quantify any clear ROI (professionally or anything else), so far.

---

DBA's can teach at the community colleges if they wanted to, I've seen a few people do that, but these degrees are more applied doctorates and not research.  It really depends on what your reasons are for going this route, a DBA can be beneficial for many reasons.  Each person has their own thoughts of what they want to accomplish academically and professionally...

It's the equation of:  $100K + 3/4 years of your life .. vs. ... anything else you can do with that money and time ..

[Pats20]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

Congratulations on your accomplishments!

[sacredrain]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

This is not entirely true. There are plenty of small private colleges and universities that are hiring full time professors. It depends where one looks.Another option is to work in higher education administration.

[Duneranger]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

This is not entirely true. There are plenty of small private colleges and universities that are hiring full time professors. It depends where one looks.Another option is to work in higher education administration.

Where? And are these tenured/visiting/associate roles? What's the salary range? Academia even at small colleges is insanely competitive. There are so many negative variables here versus the positive ROI.

I know people with T20 PhDs who can't find jobs beyond the adjunct or associate role making pennies. I'd be extremely surprised if an online doctorate would beat them out.

[sacredrain]

Don't count on finding a full time professor position in today's world. They're hard to come by and pretty rare.

I plan on beginning my DBA next year. For me, it's a personal thing. It's not for my career. I want it because I want it. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I have had a few cousins since go to college. One has a master's. But that's it. I'll finish my second master's in the spring and then onto my doctorate. I just want it. I LOVE research so I'm interested in that aspect. Not super thrilled about taking multiple doctoral level stats classes, but that's part of the program.

This is not entirely true. There are plenty of small private colleges and universities that are hiring full time professors. It depends where one looks.Another option is to work in higher education administration.

Where? And are these tenured/visiting/associate roles? What's the salary range? Academia even at small colleges is insanely competitive. There are so many negative variables here versus the positive ROI.

I know people with T20 PhDs who can't find jobs beyond the adjunct or associate role making pennies. I'd be extremely surprised if an online doctorate would beat them out.

Here in NC there are many small universities offering full time faculty positions. Most are not tenured but full time. The salaries can be quite low around 70k usd to 80k usd to start. Usually at such locations, faculty are not pressured to do research. It really depends on the doctorate subject and the candidate when it comes to any type of faculty position. I serve on several hiring committees and usually we look for a combination of experience, education, personality, teaching methods, and references. So simply having a doctorate is not the only factor.