Ep. 139: Dr. Tonia Burgess on Getting a Doctorate to Leave a Legacy for Her Granddaughter
Ed.D in Transformational Leadership and Change Brandman UniversityDr. Tonia Burgess
Doing a single postgraduate degree is hard enough under normal circumstances, and a real challenge during a pandemic. Dr. Tonia Burgess not only completed her Ph.D. during this time, but it was also her third degree in less than 10 years. Join us today as we discuss where she found the inspiration to start a master's and a Ph.D. after a nearly 30-year career with the California Government, and where she drew inspiration from throughout this process. Tonia talks about how she picked her topic and gives advice on confronting traumatic subjects. Discover the importance of a supportive family and planning your schedule to study and work simultaneously, followed by three things Tonia learned throughout her Ph.D. Don't miss out on this must-hear episode!
Connect with Dr. Tonia Burgess on LinkedIn.
Key Points From This Episode:
-
Family, traveling, and reading: find out about Tonia's hobbies.
-
How being in a multigenerational home helped keep Tonia motivated.
-
Finding your “why”: leaving a legacy for your family.
-
Why language learned in your postgraduate degree adds to your professional experience.
-
The sacrifices Tonia made to complete her Ph.D.
-
How timing, finances, and those around you can influence your choices.
-
Why scheduling is so crucial when working and studying.
-
Advice on picking your research topic.
-
Taking time to process the trauma around specific research topics.
-
Three things Tonia learned throughout her doctorate.
—
The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community, sign up to do so here, and if you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.
