Senior executives and successful business leaders are, by their very nature, highly self-motivated and self-disciplined. Their ambition often means that even when they reach a senior level, they are still looking for ways to continue advancing their career. One of the most effective ways to do this is to become a Doctor of Business Administration.
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree is sometimes confused with a Ph.D., which is a higher degree for academics. However, a DBA is an advanced degree for senior business leaders and executives with real-life business experience who want to enhance their skills and knowledge through theoretical study and research. What is learnt during a DBA can then be applied to their business, organization, and/or career.
There are many reasons to become a Doctor of Business Administration by studying for a DBA degree, but here are eight of the most compelling.
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Deepen your skillset and knowledge
DBA degrees are designed to help business executives develop skills and accrue knowledge, enabling them to make a greater impact in their career. With exceptional analytical skills, research methodologies, and the ability to solve complex problems, DBA graduates can excel in their field.
Studying for a DBA degree is a challenging and fascinating process that enables graduates to research and present their ideas and studies and communicate complex concepts, debate with opposing points of view, and defend their position. Graduates also explore how to do this with a professional and ethical approach.
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Widen your choice of careers
The skills gained while studying for a DBA degree can be applied at a senior level of decision-making in any business scenario. Many people study for a DBA degree because they want to move into a more senior role in their organization, or to pursue new opportunities elsewhere. In both scenarios, DBA graduates will be more adept at interpreting information and data in a wide range of settings.
This makes DBA graduates attractive candidates for senior positions in whatever sector they choose as they will be able to enhance the organization’s operation and performance. In addition to business, a DBA degree can prepare graduates to lead in a wide range of organizations such as education, non-profit, or healthcare.
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Expand your professional network
While studying for a DBA degree, you will come into contact with tutors and other senior business professionals. This will expand and diversify your professional network and expose you to numerous other business areas that you may not have had much involvement with, such as marketing, human resources, finances, or operational management. The more people you know in business, the more opportunities you have to grow your skillset and seek new challenges.
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Focus on your specific business interests
If you are interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects of business, a DBA degree is ideal. The program provides the opportunity to research and explore diverse business areas. Students can choose to pursue the areas that will be of most benefit to their career and/or organization. For example, if you studied business at university but only touched on certain topics briefly, you can focus on the topics that interest you. If you have experience in financial management but are interested in marketing or corporate social responsibility, you can tailor the degree accordingly.
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Get ahead of your competitors
Professionals who choose to study a DBA degree usually already have an MBA, an MSc, or MA degree in business or management and several years of experience in business. Although they already hold a qualification and have reached a senior level of responsibility, they still want to better themselves even further. This shows prospective employers that you are not only committed to your own improvement but will also give more than 100% when it comes to reaching the top. What employer would not want to hire a candidate like that?
A DBA demonstrates to employers that you have exceptional leadership skills and the ability to handle top-level strategy and decision-making. It is well-known that DBA degrees require intensive work, so employers will take your DBA as evidence of your exceptional work ethic. DBA degrees will give candidates an advantage over their competitors who have an MBA, MSc, or MA.
If you intend to use your DBA degree to benefit your current employer, you can focus your degree program on a particular problem or challenge facing the organization. With the knowledge and skills that you gain during the program, you can make yourself an even more valuable employee.
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Keep up to date with industry innovation
There is not one industry which has not been impacted by evolving technology, big data, and artificial intelligence. In fact, the technological world is moving at such a rate that it can be difficult for business leaders to keep up, let alone use new innovations to benefit their business. A DBA degree provides its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to take advantage of the latest technology and data analysis techniques. This enables organizations to keep up with their competitors and innovate and lead in their field.
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Study while you work
Ambitious and hardworking business executives will typically not be willing or able to stop working in order to return to university, but by studying for a DBA degree with Aston University Online, they do not have to. This distance learning course is delivered via podcasts, vodcasts, online tasks, and quizzes, directed reading, video conferencing for live discussions and research supervision, and Virtual discussion boards between students and course tutors. Students are also provided with an academic supervisor who provides support and guidance throughout the course.
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Access to higher salaries
With more education, advanced business skills, and access to roles with a higher level of responsibility, DBA graduates can access higher salaries. DBA graduates are regarded as high-value employees and can often reach salaries with six figures in large organizations. However, even small organizations tend to offer higher salaries to candidates with DBAs than those with a lesser degree.
