Discussion: Foundations of Doctoral Study

Discussion 1: Tools for the Task

Before beginning a new and unfamiliar task, you might reflect on the challenges you face and the resources you need to complete that task successfully. You might already possess some of those resources, but you may need to acquire others from outside sources. From the many options available, you need to select those resources that would be most beneficial in completing your task.

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Similarly, as you begin the task of pursuing your degree at Walden, reflect on the challenges you may face, and familiarize yourself with the resources you have available for successfully completing the task. These resources include not only those you have available to you at Walden but also the personal strengths you already possess.

For this Discussion, you evaluate the challenges you may face on your journey, the Walden resources available, and the personal strengths you bring with you to the program.

To prepare:

• Reflect on your admissions essay.
• Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider which are most beneficial to you in helping you achieve success as a Walden student. (Consider bookmarking the Walden Library website and any other Walden web resources you find particularly useful.)
• Review the PhD in Public Policy and Administration video in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Reflect on the strengths and experiences you bring with you as you begin your journey as a student in the PhD in Public Policy and Administration program.

BY DAY 3

Post an explanation of the challenges you anticipate facing on your journey and how they compare with the challenges faced by those in this week’s media. Explain which of the resources presented this week you find most beneficial as you begin your Walden journey and why. Explain any information not included in this week’s resources that you would like to see included and why. Then, explain which of the strengths you possess you think will help you achieve success in your program. Finally, explain how your experience and skills compare to the experiences of the students featured in this week’s media.

Read all of your colleagues’ postings.

BY DAY 5

Respond to at least one of your colleagues in one of the following ways:

• Compare your strengths and challenges to those of your colleague.
• Suggest resources that may help your colleague overcome one of his or her challenges.
• Suggest a way that you can help one another achieve success in your program.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.