PhD for Corporate Professionals - Advance Your Leadership & Research Skills

As I reflect on the experiences shared by Dr. Prabir Kumar Bandyopadhyay, a Visiting Professor, Online Tutor, Mentor, and Management Consultant, his journey offers valuable lessons for every business professional considering a PhD. Dr. Bandyopadhyay, after interviewing nearly 100 PhD aspirants from corporate backgrounds, observed a curious pattern: most working professionals said they pursued a PhD for self-satisfaction or to move into teaching. None mentioned enhancing business problem-solving or decision-making skills.

This made him wonder do people in business do not see the true value of a PhD in their careers? Is it only for academics? In this article, I’ll share his journey and thoughts, in simple language, to help working professionals understand why a PhD can matter deeply even in the corporate world.

What Happens During a PhD Journey

Dr. Bandyopadhyay explains that a PhD is much more than just writing a thesis. It’s a training ground for building advanced skills that are useful across careers.

Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

• Finding a Problem to Research: The scholar looks for a problem that is worth studying. This needs deep thinking and understanding of what’s known and what’s missing in the field.
• Proposal and Approval: The scholar prepares a research proposal and presents it before a committee for approval. It teaches how to present and defend your ideas with logic.
• Reviewing Literature: The scholar reads and reviews past research to find knowledge gaps related to the chosen topic.
• Formulating Questions and Methods: Next, the scholar writes down research questions or hypotheses and selects the right methods to collect and study data.
• Building a Theory: After analyzing the data, the scholar builds a theory to explain what’s going on.
• Writing and Defending the Thesis: The scholar puts everything into a final thesis and defends it in front of experts.
• Publishing Research Papers: Throughout the journey, the scholar writes articles and submits them to journals. These get reviewed, often rejected, or sent back for changes.

What Skills Are Gained?

According to Dr. Bandyopadhyay, these steps develop:

• The ability to think clearly and logically
• Written and spoken communication skills
• Problem-solving using real data
• The habit of asking “why” and being curious
• Reading large volumes of material and finding what’s useful
• Being flexible and persistent

All of these skills are critical in the business world, too. So why aren’t more professionals using their PhD this way?

Missed Opportunity: Where Things Go Wrong

Dr. Bandyopadhyay believes the problem is partly due to the scholars and partly due to the supervisors. Many scholars choose a topic based only on their job experience. But sometimes, their chosen topic isn’t suitable for a PhD. When supervisors suggest changes, the scholar feels misunderstood. They think the academic world doesn’t understand the real business world.

Supervisors, on the other hand, may think the scholar is too rigid and not open to feedback. This disconnect leads to frustration. Some scholars drop out. Others just complete the bare minimum to get the degree, but miss the real learning. The key takeaway is: the PhD process itself is what brings value, not just the title.

His Own Corporate Story

Dr. Bandyopadhyay has worked in both academia and corporate settings after earning his PhD. He shares a powerful story about applying his research skills in business.

He was once asked to set up Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in a company. There were no clear guidelines then, and international standards like ISO 31000 hadn’t been published yet. The tools available were confusing and hard to apply.

Using his PhD training—critical thinking, systematic planning, and clear communication—he created a simple ERM approach tailored to the company. He convinced top management and implemented the plan effectively. This showed that PhD skills can lead to real, visible impact in the business world.

Evidence-Based Management: Bridging Two Worlds

Dr. Bandyopadhyay talks about Evidence-Based Management (EBM)—a concept inspired by Evidence-Based Medicine, where doctors make decisions using solid research.

EBM in business works the same way. It means using facts, data, and past research to make better business decisions. Several global organizations now support EBM, including:

• CEBMa (Center for Evidence-Based Management)
• Campbell Library
• Innovation Growth Lab
• Science for Work

EBM promotes careful decision-making and discourages blindly following new trends or “management fads.” It helps prevent mistakes that cost time, money, and resources.

And here’s the link—PhD research gives you the exact skills you need to use the EBM approach:

• Reviewing past studies
• Analyzing real data
• Building logical arguments

So yes, research and business do belong together.

Time to Change the Mindset

For a long time, people believed “research is for scholars, business is for managers.” Dr. Bandyopadhyay disagrees. He says this divide is no longer useful. Academic tools and methods can, and should, be used in business.

Supervisors and scholars both need to understand each other:

• Supervisors should value the real-life challenges professionals face.
• Scholars should embrace the structure and depth that academia brings.

When both sides work together, the scholar learns how to apply academic thinking to real-life business challenges. This results in better decisions, better communication, and better leadership.

One Last Thought from the Corporate World

In another example, Dr. Bandyopadhyay shares how being research-minded helped him in a practical business role. He didn’t give many personal stories here, but his key point was clear: applying research skills like clarity, structure, and logical reasoning can help simplify complex business problems and bring teams together.

And here’s a broader shift happening globally: organizations now want business leaders who think deeply, question boldly, and rely on evidence, not gut feeling. A PhD teaches exactly that.

Conclusion: What You Can Learn from His Journey

Dr. Prabir Kumar Bandyopadhyay’s story is a powerful message for business professionals considering a PhD. It’s not just for those who want to teach. It’s not just for “academic types.” A PhD can be a great tool for corporate growth, leadership, and innovation.

Yes, the degree alone may not guarantee a promotion. But the process—the mindset, the thinking skills, the ability to solve complex problems is priceless in today’s business world.

If you’re thinking of doing a PhD, don’t do it only for the title or to enter academia. Do it to become a better professional. Do it to gain research skills you can apply to your job. Do it to bring structure to complex decisions.

Dr. Bandyopadhyay believes research and practice go hand in hand. His life proves that. And his message is simple: it’s time for both business professionals and academic scholars to work together, learn from each other, and build a better world, one that’s informed by both experience and evidence.

So if you’re a working professional wondering whether a PhD is worth it, the answer could very well be yes, not just for the degree, but for the transformation it brings.

Are Entrance Exams required for a PhD Program? 

Yes, most PhD programs need you to take an entrance exam, but the rules can be different at each university.

Common PhD Entrance Exams:

• National-Level Exams: Exams like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, and JEST are commonly used in India to check if you are ready for PhD-level study.
• University-Level Exams: Many universities also have their own entrance tests to check your knowledge and research skills.
• GRE: The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is used by universities in the US and some in India.

Who Can Apply?

• You usually need a Master’s degree or a 4-year undergraduate degree with a minimum required score.
• If you already passed exams like NET/JRF or have good research work, some universities may give you an exemption from the entrance test.

Final Selection:

Most PhD selections include:

• An entrance exam
• An interview, where you talk about your research ideas or proposal.

In short, entrance exams help universities find out if you’re ready to do deep research.

UGC-NET for a PhD Program 

A PhD program usually takes 3 to 6 years and focuses on research in subjects like Commerce, Science, Engineering, Arts, Law, and Management. Many students who pass the UGC NET, especially those who qualify for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship), are now choosing to do a PhD.

In India, you can get admission to a PhD by clearing the NET exam or other entrance tests held by universities like JNU, DU, JMI, AMU, BHU, UoH, AU, and CUCET.

Is the NET Exam Required for a PhD?

According to the new rule:

• 60% of PhD seats must be filled by students who qualify UGC NET or JRF.
• The remaining 40% seats will be filled through entrance exams held by colleges or universities.

It’s a good idea to pass the UGC NET or JRF because:

• It helps you get better job offers and promotions in the future.
• If you qualify for JRF, you get a monthly stipend and benefits like HRA while doing your PhD.
• This support can help cover the cost of your PhD studies.

So, qualifying for NET or JRF makes PhD studies easier and opens more career doors. 

 

Online DBA: A Smart and Simple Alternative to a PhD

Many people dream of doing a PhD. It is a well-known degree, and it sounds impressive. But let’s be honest, doing a PhD takes a lot of time, hard work, and sometimes money. Also, a PhD is usually focused on theory and academic research. If you're someone working in business and want to grow in your career, a PhD might not be the best choice.

That’s where the Online DBA comes in.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a degree made for working professionals who want to grow in leadership, business strategy, and real-world problem solving. It gives you the title “Doctor,” just like a PhD, but it focuses more on practical knowledge than academic theory.

Now, here’s the best part: it’s online! Let’s break it down step by step.

What is an Online DBA?

An Online DBA is a doctoral-level degree that you can do from your home, while still working full-time. You don’t have to leave your job, shift cities, or attend daily classes. Everything is done online—classes, projects, and even your final research.

It’s flexible. You can study at night, on weekends, or during lunch breaks. You decide your pace.

How is a DBA different from a PhD?

Feature	PhD	Online DBA
Focus	Academic theory and research	Business problems and solutions
Best For	Future professors, researchers	Business leaders, managers, professionals
Study Style	Full-time, long hours	Part-time, flexible, online
Duration	4 to 6 years	3 to 4 years
Outcome	Academic papers, teaching	Real-world strategies, leadership roles

So, if you want to become a professor or research scientist, a PhD is for you. But if you want to solve real business problems, lead big teams, or start your own company, an Online DBA is perfect.

Why Choose an Online DBA Instead of a PhD?

1. You Don’t Have to Quit Your Job

A PhD usually requires full-time attention. You might have to leave your job or work fewer hours. That’s not easy for someone who has bills to pay or a family to care for.

An Online DBA lets you keep your job, earn money, and study side by side.

2. Real-Life Learning, Not Just Theory

PhDs are all about research, reading, and writing big papers. A DBA is more about how to solve real business problems—like how to improve sales, manage people better, or lead a company through change.

It teaches you how to think like a CEO, not just a researcher.

3. Faster Results

Most PhDs take 5 to 6 years to finish. An Online DBA can be done in just 3 to 4 years. Some even finish it in 2.5 years!

That means you get your Dr. title faster and can use it to apply for leadership roles sooner.

4. It’s Still a Doctorate

Many people think only a PhD makes you a “doctor.” That’s not true.

A DBA is also a doctoral degree. It gives you the same “Dr.” title before your name. It’s just focused on business, not science or education.

You earn the same respect—just in a different field.

Who Should Do an Online DBA?

• Managers who want to move into director or CXO roles. 
• Entrepreneurs who want to scale their business with expert knowledge
• Working professionals who want to study without leaving their job
• MBA graduates who want to go one step further

If you’re someone who wants to be known as a business expert, or lead with strong decision-making skills, an Online DBA is made for you.

What Do You Learn in an Online DBA?

You learn a lot of interesting and useful things, like:

• How to lead a company
• How to do business research
• How to solve business problems
• How to make smart strategies
• How to study markets and customers
• How to publish your ideas in business journals

And all of this learning comes with real-world examples and case studies, not just textbooks

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely!

An Online DBA gives you:

• Higher salary potential
• Leadership opportunities
• Stronger personal brand (Dr. in your name!)
• Business knowledge you can use every day
• Networking with top professionals

Plus, with online learning, you save money on travel, rent, and other college expenses.

A PhD is a great degree. But it’s not for everyone. If you want to stay in the corporate world, lead big projects, grow your business, or simply upgrade your career, an Online DBA is a smart and powerful choice.

It fits your schedule, your lifestyle, and your goals.

So, if you’re thinking about doing something big—something that gives you the power to lead, solve, and succeed—don’t just think PhD.

Conclusion

Whether you are thinking about a PhD or an Online DBA, both are powerful degrees. But they serve different goals.

A PhD is great if you love research, teaching, or want to build new knowledge in a specific field. It helps you think deeply and logically—skills that can also help in business, as shown by Dr. Prabir Kumar Bandyopadhyay’s inspiring journey. On the other hand, an Online DBA is perfect if you want to stay in the corporate world, solve real business problems, and grow into leadership roles. It gives you the same "Doctor" title but with a focus on practical learning and flexible study.

In the end, it's not about which degree is better. It's about what fits your goals, your lifestyle, and your dreams. Whether you choose a PhD or a DBA, the learning, growth, and impact can be life-changing.So ask yourself—where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? In a classroom or a boardroom? Choose the path that moves you forward.