Haslam College of Business Testimonials

The strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations program at Haslam should be described as a family of scholars. Students are provided with a progressive yet developmental environment conducive for learning and academic growth. The program is ripe with distinguished and approachable scholars, ambitious and talented students and effective administrators who are creating new knowledge for the next wave of entrepreneurs and organizational leaders.

Earning a Ph.D. in the strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations  program at the University of Tennessee has been a tremendous opportunity. I am consistently guided towards a successful career in academia by a strong faculty team that invests time and energy into my development as a scholar. No school can guarantee my success, for I have to be willing to work hard; however, in the strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations  program, I have always been given the utmost opportunity to simply focus on working hard and learning. In addition, the students in the strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations program are close-knit, and always willing to help each other. In my opinion, the qualities I have described are absolutely vital to picking a Ph.D. program that can help you achieve your potential. If I were to choose a program again, I would, without hesitation, still choose the University of Tennessee.

The strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations  program of Haslam College of Business is one of the most rigorous and challenging academic programs in the nation.The student body is comprised of most talented graduate students across the globe. Doctoral students will receive intensive intellectual and practical training in organizational research from nationwide distinguished scholars and accomplished faculties. The program is designed to cultivate the future organization and strategy researchers and outstanding college educators.

The camaraderie is genuine. The students here are not competing with each other; we support and encourage our peers so that we can all be successful.

This has been perhaps the most challenging experience of my life, but I love going to work every morning! This is a truly developmental atmosphere. It feels like a family.

The SEO Ph.D. program has been nothing short of an amazing experience for me. The department fosters a culture of research freedom to pursue and develop meaningful ideas. I received nothing but support and was empowered by the faculty at every stage of the program, from coursework to comprehensive exams and all the way through the dissertation. In my view, the training and preparation received from the management and entrepreneurship program at UT were nothing short of world-class. As a result, I felt prepared to develop my own independent research program. After demonstrating that potential on the academic job market, I successfully transitioned to an assistant professor role at an excellent institution of my choosing (even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic).

The SEO Ph.D. program is a unique blend of research rigor meets genuine camaraderie. The single thing that sold me on joining the program was the people. There is not a single faculty member that wouldn't be happy to meet with you to discuss ideas or obstacles you're facing, both in coursework and research. This ability to interact with renowned scholars has made a world of difference in both my personal and professional growth.

One distinguishing feature of the program are weekly sessions called Pathways, where students can present current research to receive feedback, hear from faculty (both from within UTK and outside universities) on their own ongoing projects, or receive direction in "Help Me, I'm Stuck" sessions. My peers in other doctoral programs have said that sessions like this would have changed their research and career paths had they been offered an opportunity like this to interact with faculty regularly. The environment created by the department diffuses into the Ph.D. student relationships as well; all are extremely willing to help each other and the friendships I've made so far are ones that I can see continuing throughout my career.

On top of the rigorous academic and professional training that I am receiving, I am also developing authentic friendships that will last a lifetime. Ten years from now, I guarantee I will be sitting at a restaurant chatting and laughing with my fellow students and faculty members from the program. That is the great thing about our culture. We hold one another to a high professional standard, yet at the same time, we are one another's number one advocates.

People compare getting a Ph.D. to running a marathon because of the enormous time and effort required to complete it. If you agree, I guarantee that the strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations program at the Haslam College of Business is the best marathon course to run. Faculty and staff are excellent coaches and running partners who are always ready to guide students in the right direction for a successful career and provide unending support. Also, Ph.D. students are always running together and have developed a wonderful culture and friendship. I'm sure there will be some hilly and challenging areas of the course, but the members in the department will keep students moving until they reach the finish line.

Being a part of the Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Organizations Ph.D. program has been a privilege. One thing that stands out and makes the program truly unique is our culture. Everyone involved in the program is approachable, dedicated and genuinely invested in your growth as a scholar. Throughout the program, I received tremendous support that crosses every aspect of my academic life and personal endeavors.

The two most important things you can have when pursuing a Ph.D. are inspiration and support, and the SEO program offers both of these in spades. The faculty in this program are fantastic role models, in terms of their collective abilities, sense of purpose and unending desire to see us succeed. Likewise, the doc student culture is unmatched — the support the students lend each other is critical to everyone’s success. Both will help you find an identity you can build a career around and prepare you to do excellent research. The training is stellar, of course, but as Ben Schneider said, “the people make the place,” and the people of UTK set it apart.