I have spent the last two years pursuing my Ed.D in K-12 leadership. Some people are athletic, some have an ear for languages, some are musical. I am none of those things, but I am an excellent student.
I’m writing this post about a month before graduation. I am at the end of the program, and I am wiped. My growth mindset has never been more broken. As a grade-A, type-A Ravenclaw, I usually work ahead. But I just turned in an assignment the day it was due.
I know. I know. I’m not relatable at all.
All of this is to say that pursuing your Ed.D is not for the faint of heart. Today, I wanted to reflect on the experience and share three Pros and Cons.
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Pros
- First, if you are interested in pursuing administration, you should pursue your Ed.D. I’ve sat on a few different principal hiring panels, and individual with an Ed.D always move quickly to the head of the pack.
- One of the highlights of my program has been the diverse cohort. We have international students, local students, and students scattered across various time zones. Some students are working in traditional K-12 education, some are working in higher ed, some are working in religious schools, and a significant number are in health education. This varied group makes for some fascinating conversations and has exposed me to some many wonderful perspectives, many of which I had not previously considered. A few years before starting my Ed.D, I finished my National Board Certification. Lack of fellowship challenged me while I pursued my NBTC, so having a group of like-minded peers really resonated with me.
- My research has focused on college athletics. I love my research topic because it touches on different areas: sociology, anthropology, medicine, law. At times, it has made me wonder if I missed out on life as a professional researcher. In other words, the research has let me nerd out, which I adore. I even included some of my favorite books on my year-end wrap up.
Cons
- First, I entered a two-year program. I shopped for an ideal program for a while, but I wish I would have shopped more. Two years was quite the time crunch, even for someone who loves school as much as I do. I also wish I would have chosen a better-established program.
- College professors have a reputation for being mediocre instructors and experts in specific niches. Unfortunately, I have often found this to be true. Admittedly, this has been true of every degree I have pursued from my undergraduate years through two different masters degrees and into my Ed.D. That’s not to say my teachers have been uncaring, and some have been excellent. I just think this is a reality related to higher education.
- Perhaps this is unique to my program, but there has been a significant emphasis on preparing students for careers in higher education. That’s not my bag. The politics and “perish-or-publish” mentality of higher education holds no allure for me. However, that may really ignite a passion for you.
Other Ed.D Considerations
- My cohort is 25-30 individuals of all ages, races, and geographies. Most are women. However, very few individuals have mentioned pursuing their Ed.D because of money. Most of us will receive a pay raise for finishing our doctorates. Nevertheless, if money were my lone motivation, I think I would have dropped out.
- I get a lot of side-eyes when I explain that I am not interested in administration. No one seems to understand my motivation. And, let’s be honest, my motivation was only partially academic and pure. In part, I was tired of men telling me how to do a job at which I am an expert. I was also motivated by the desire to outclass a professional rival. All of this is to say, I’m not sure these were great motivations for me. As teachers, we make fun of being asked to find our “why” (because it gets weaponized), but pursuing your Ed.D takes a strong “why.” Sometimes I wonder if I would have had a different experience if my “why” had been couched in something more enduring than irritation and pettiness.
- Finally, my word of the year was ambition. Maybe my word should have been “relentless” because in a lot of ways pursuing my Ed.D has made me more relentlessly outspoken. This was not a change I expected, and it’s not one I’m unhappy with. I think it’s just worth recognizing that the Ed.D experience will, unavoidably, change you.
Wow. That was a cathartic and honest post! I would love to share more about my Ed.D experience, so feel free to reach out with your questions.
