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Last Updated on: 9th February 2022, 02:21 pm
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Brittne Martin, founder of Doctoral Mom. Doctoral Mom began as a Facebook group intended to provide support to mothers in doctoral programs. It has since grown beyond the limits of social media into a community of 1,000+ mothers pursuing their doctoral degrees. In addition to providing guidance and resources for successfully navigating through their program or motherhood, Doctoral Mom offers career advice and community support.
Below, you’ll find our interview with Dr. Martin.
Tell me about your doctoral (and life) journey. How did that inform the work you do now?
During my doctorate program, I had 3 children and worked full-time. I faced a number of unique challenges. I vividly remember bringing heating pads to a 4-hour class to soothe my aching back, holding my twins as I completed assignments, and defending my dissertation while I was in labor with my third child. This experience led me to start the Doctoral Mom Group on Facebook.
Why did you start Doctoral Mom, and what were you hoping to achieve? How has it evolved since it began?
Doctoral Mom was started to help mothers successfully complete their doctorate program. The group provides members with a space to obtain advice on motherhood, work/life balance, dissertation process, comprehensive exams, career development, etc.
Founded a year ago, the group has rapidly grown to 1,000 members. Doctoral Mom has grown its social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Blog articles, resources, and merchandise can be found on the Doctoral Mom website.
What are the unique challenges that mothers face when getting a doctorate?
Mothers in doctorate programs face a unique set of challenges. Imagine working 8-hours, submitting assignments, completing chores, and caring for your children. The phrase “there aren’t enough hours in a day” is an understatement for these ladies. Attempting to find balance seems nearly impossible, but these mothers find ways to beat the odds.
What strategies or resources are most helpful for mothers on their doctoral journey? Have you noticed any determining factors for success?
The best resource for a doctoral mom is support. Being able to vent, share stories, and ask for advice is invaluable. Simply being able to ask someone, “how did you do it,” can make all the difference during a doctoral program.
Do you have any words or advice for mothers currently pursuing their doctorates?
Fellow Doctoral Moms, you are not alone. There are other women who are pregnant, single-mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and mother-figures who are here to guide you through your educational pursuits. My biggest piece of advice is to ask for help and talk to others. The doctoral process can feel isolating. However, social media and virtual meetings allow us to empower each other.
What’s next for Doctoral Mom?
Within the next year, we plan to have virtual conferences, webinars, and scholarship opportunities. We will also continue to publish blog articles and dissertation guides.
How can people support you?
We recently released a new product line to help fund our initiative. The shop currently includes t-shirts, hats, hoodies, jewelry, and more. Items are also available for their children and supporters.
Bio
Dr. Brittne Martin is the Digital Content Manager at the American Marketing Association. She hosts webinars and virtual conferences for global audiences spanning from 300 to 10,000 attendees. Prior to joining the AMA, Dr. Martin gained over 10 years of experience in academia, career services, business development, program management, and social media.
She earned a Doctorate in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration from Argosy University by exploring social media users and employment trends. Brittne earned her MBA and BBA from Saint Xavier University. Nicknamed “Doctoral Mom” by her classmates, she is the proud mother of 2-year old twins and a 1-year old. As a result of her experience, Dr. Martin started an online support group that assists over 1,000 mothers in doctorate programs.
