Two Perspectives from the Finish Line

By: Dr. Kelly Burich & Dr. Valrie Grant

In December 2023, DBA Chronicles published the blog titled “Halfway There,” a reflection at the midpoint of her UNC Charlotte DBA journey, which was written by Valrie Grant. It was honest and hopeful—a snapshot of a time when the hardest work was still ahead but the transformation had already begun. Now, with our trio proudly standing on the other side of this academic mountain, we wanted to co-author a follow-up. Something honest. Something real. Something for those who are in the middle of the storm, wondering if they’ll ever get to this place.

This is for you.

The Final Stretch Isn’t Linear (And That’s Okay)

Valrie: I thought the dissertation phase would be a predictable, structured process. I was so wrong. It's more like walking through fog: sometimes clear, sometimes confusing, but always forward. There were moments I felt like I’ve got this —and others where I questioned everything, including myself.

Kelly: Same. For me, perfectly stated. Some days, my hope was above the benchmark, and other days I questioned if I was a moron, to be perfectly candid. I learned after a few gut punches to balance hope and reality pretty fast, just to get to the finish line.

Burnout, Boundaries, and the Beauty of the Mess

Kelly: The hardest part wasn’t just the writing—it was everything around it. The writing was the part that brought me joy. That wasn't the hard part. It was everything around it. 

I heard the feedback from previous DBA scholars, but it clearly didn't sink in for me: the impostor syndrome, the time balance, and the phrase "a good dissertation is a done dissertation." Reflectively, I guess I thought, "Yeah, that's you, but that won't be me." I know there were plenty of times when emotional fatigue and feelings of ineptitude were simply overwhelming. It really is a beautiful mess, and one of the lessons I've learned from so many scholars across the globe is the humility that comes with this learning. It's not loud; it's the subtle reminder that you are only starting and there isn't a finish line to learning

Valrie: I agree. Nothing prepares you for the emotional roller coaster of the dissertation phase. You can be excellent at managing deliverables, acing courses, and contributing in class—but when it’s you, your research, and the blinking cursor, a different kind of attitude is required. For me, the dissertation wasn’t just about producing new knowledge; it was about confronting self-doubt, managing feedback fatigue, and rewriting sections I thought were done. It was also a deeply personal research because it was about the regions I’ve committed my career to and the policies and people I wanted to meaningfully impact. That purpose anchored me. I learned to listen to the quiet wins—an idea clarified, a section restructured, a data point making sense. These small wins add up. The mess is the process.

From Scholars to Sisters

Valrie: At the halfway point, I wrote about our cohort as a “melting pot of experience.” But what I didn’t yet fully grasp was how deep those connections would become as we went through the process. Case in point: Kelly, you weren’t just a classmate—you became a sister. We carried each other. For me, that support is what made finishing possible.

Kelly: Amen to that. Some of our most important learning happened outside residencies—in late-night notes, side chats before deadlines, and pep talks when one of us felt like giving up. These friendships weren’t a bonus; they were the backbone, they were the driving force. I know the three of us balanced each other out in those up-and-down times with humor, boldness, and expectations. It's always interesting to see yourself through someone else's eyes. I have more Jamaican sisters and a Philly Cheesesteak Sister now! I called this journey and you all "My $90,000 friends." The degree and research were the growth, but my new family was worth the investment. 

We became road warriors, and I remember telling you, "I don't remember how you got in my car from Charlotte to Raleigh, but I also don't remember you not being there." The chance to grow with you and to learn from you and Amy, from a personal and professional perspective, were some of my best learnings. Learning this grace from you and realizing that you had some of the same fears and challenges gave me peace and hope.

What We Know Now (That We Didn’t Then)

• You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going
• Your dissertation isn’t just a document—it’s your evolution in ink
• Titles are nice. Growth is better
• Rest is part of the process. So is crying if you need to
• You will finish. Even when it feels like you won’t

To the Future Doctors Reading This…

If you're reading this while sitting in the thick of it—surrounded by edits, juggling life, doubting your why—please hear this: You are not alone. The hard days don’t mean you’re failing; they mean you’re becoming.

The title “Doctor” doesn’t just reflect what we know. It reflects who we’ve become in the process. Stronger. Softer. Wiser. More human.

We started this journey at very different points in our lives—but we crossed the finish line together with all our cohort mates and surrounded by family and friends. Now, we carry this experience not just as an academic credential but as a badge of resilience. We move forward knowing that this is more than the end of a line but rather a powerful new beginning that has equipped us to make bigger impact in the ways we choose

We hope this blog is a light for someone walking their own winding path. We see you. We’ve been there. And we believe in your finish line too.

Dr. Valrie Grant is an award-winning entrepreneur, geospatial & innovation leader, strategic advisor, international speaker, author, and podcast host. Valrie has held leadership roles on national, regional, and international boards. A lifelong learner and dedicated mentor to women and youth, she holds degrees in geology, GIS, and business, culminating in a doctorate in business administration from UNC Charlotte. Her research explored the factors influencing National Geospatial Information Management (NGIM) adoption in Small Island Developing States.