After nine months of “full-time” study, I have recently returned to the workforce. Did not expect this would happen so soon, because the initial plan was to start looking for a job from Janurary next year. But it just happened due to one visit to Seek at the end of August. I take this as a call of destiny …
What I found is that when I stopped working and spent all day at home I was not very productive and studied the same or even less hours as when I was working full timely. So the feeling of guilt made me very uncomfortable and I felt I needed to do something to justify my time. Also I was afraid of losing confidence if staying out of employment for too long.
So only one day of visiting the Seek web changed my whole situation. I got the job within ten days from the first call. And most importantly, as I asked very clearly at the interviews, I could work from home a couple of days every week and they agreed – that’s why I say it’s a call of destiny. I did it at the right time and the right place. I just hope it would work out as it promises and I would be able to continue my study as planned. However I do need to change to part-time from next year, so I can do a proper job and maintain good study results.
I’m not sure how many people change their jobs during their doctoral study if they do work, but I do think doing the DBA has changed the way I make decisions toward my work. Flexibility and time autonomy are important criteria for my job consideration. I never want to give up my study although going back to work would definitely slow it down. I hope I could complete it within two years time.
Actually I’m thinking of doing a separate research post my DBA life, if by then I’d still like to do research. I’d like to see how doing a DBA has changed our work and life. And I have decided it must be a qualitative study of one-to-one interviews. I expect findings would be interesting. It certainly has changed my life and my work although I have not finished it yet.
Work-life balance 
Congratulations Angelina! Its great to hear that you have found a job where you can have some balance between working and study commitments. I agree that research about how a DBA (or PhD) changes an individual’s work and life is a great idea.
Reblogged this on The Lighthouse and commented:
The impact that a DBA has on your career and your life in general is difficult to explain to others. I can relate to Angelina’s comments here as I have just moved from full time to a part time (30hrs/week) role at the same company after realising that I couldn’t do it all. I needed some time out from the business where I am not contactable and I can focus.
I know that once I finish coursework (about six weeks to go) I will have more time to focus, but 6 weeks seems like an eternity at this end of the tunnel. And then what excuse will I have for not getting my research done :).