DBA

Why did you choose to undertake the SDA Bocconi DBA?

I have been thinking about doctoral studies for several years but could not find a program that was in Europe and was offered by an FT top ranked school with a strong reputation both academically and within management practice. As someone who has advised students over a couple of decades about business education, I always tell them that the ideal program is one offered by the best brand of business school, with the best reputation, the best professors, and a program that you can afford. This is the advice I followed - Bocconi is the top school in Italy, highly ranked by the Financial Times, highly cited professors at the top of their subject areas and I was offered a scholarship!

How is this choice satisfying your needs?

I love being at Bocconi and interacting with the faculty and my classmates. The nature of a doctoral program which is part time, is that you are a bit of an island following your own route but I don’t feel isolated because there is regular communication with my supervisor, the Head of the Program, and with my classmates. It is a supportive and responsive environment where I know I can get the help I need. I’ve also found that Bocconi’s connections to global business leaders are incredible. As part of my research, I’ve been introduced to executives I would not otherwise meet. I know that, as a result, my research output will be relevant, backed up by academic theory and informed by real practice. As a student, being able to leverage such a powerful brand’s connections is a rare opportunity. I honestly don’t know what other business school I would have this.

Would you recommend this program? If yes why?

The building blocks of the DBA program are in place to offer anyone serious about studying at doctoral level while working (this is a challenge not to be underestimated) to pursue their dream of becoming a thought-leader with a rigorous and relevant body of research to support them. SDA Bocconi will help you on this journey, what you need to provide is an enquiring mind, discipline and great time-management!

I would particularly recommend the program to women, who are in the minority. As a mother of three young women, my maternal and financial responsibilities are significant but I also believe that it’s important to be a role model to our daughters that they too can balance all the various demands and responsibilities and pursue their own goals and dreams. Bocconi is certainly a champion of women’s education through its scholarship program. I would urge any woman considering achieving the highest levels of education to apply to Bocconi.

Your program in 3 words:

Living the dream.

Why would you recommend the SDA Bocconi DBA?
The DBA program at SDA Bocconi allows for experimentation and innovation in the field due to its flexible Three year structure, high calibre faculty mentors and a broad spectrum of interesting topics in research. The taught modules involved an exceptional integration of academic rigour and practice, which allowed me to develop a perceptive outlook, a keen sense of ethics and an orientation towards questioning the traditional aspects of my organisation’s life. On a personal level, I highly enjoyed the residential modules where classrooms had a very friendly vibe encouraging variety of discussions amongst students and faculty.

Describe your SDA Bocconi experience and the importance of taking an International DBA in Milano?
Almost one year throughout the DBA and my experience thus far has been nothing short of exciting. It is not only an educational journey but more of an exploratory venture. The international aspect of Bocconi challenges me to look at every business concept and every function through the eyes of a learner, a researcher, and a scholar seeking to find opportunities for improvement. We may, as professionals, lose this unique sense of curiosity that researchers enjoy, so it is definitely worth doing this leap not only to develop in my career but also on a personal level.