You can be the proverbial "smartest person in the room," but if people aren't
listening, what difference does it make?
Lyle Henson, a 2008 PhD graduate from Capella, could write papers with plenty of
technical relevance and terminology, but now he regularly gets them published in
major journals and gets invitations to present at technical conferences.
Henson understood that he needed a PhD for professional credibility in his
field. As a regional sales manager for a major chemical treatment equipment
manufacturer, he calls on engineers, selling technologies and equipment for
disinfection and chemical treatment in municipal water systems.
His PhD grants him immediate credibility with highly technical audiences. "The
PhD makes all the difference in my field," Henson said. "People listen to you when
you have it."
Keep the momentum going
Pursing a PhD all the way to graduation is no easy task. Henson experienced
what many advanced doctoral learners do, a loss of momentum. For Henson, it
manifested itself as writer's block, but he pushed through.
"I used every resource Capella had, attended workshops, everything, and I blew
past that, from the combination of my own determination and Capella's support."
See tangible return on investment
Having a PhD has already had measurable impact on Henson's professional life.
It was instrumental in his ability to change jobs for greater responsibility and a
commensurate salary increase.
He also teaches undergraduate courses online for two universities, and the degree
has helped him get technical papers published in publications of several premier
professional associations in his field.
What's next for Henson? He's developing additional teaching contracts, and has
set a goal of publishing one technical paper each year. He is also exploring a major
business opportunity—purchase of a water treatment company.
He credits not just the credential, but the experience gained from writing his
dissertation, and says, "I learned serious, sound research methods and how to
write a high-level professional paper."