Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis
Doctoral Candidate
Argosy University
Shares Her Inspirations, Challenges, Support, and Advice
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis is a doctoral candidate at Argosy University. She was recently awarded a $20,000 Counseling Fellowship from the National Board for Certified Counselors and Minority Fellowship Program to continue her education and facilitate her service to under served minority populations.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are a few motivating factors driving you to complete your Ed.D. program?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: There are several factors- wanting to educate other counselors more, being a huge one. A Master's in education was no longer enough for me. My interest to work as a therapist came from growing up in the inner-city communities of Boston, MA where I felt there was an unheard population, and the responses were not consistent with the needs of the population. As I have continued to move through the profession and raise three African American sons- it has become increasingly important to do what I can to create a different future. Working with juvenile justice and low threshold populations will always hold a special place in my heart.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What were/are major challenges you have and how did you overcome them?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: Personally/Professionally challenges overlapped. I returned for my Doctorate at 37 years of age. My husband and I had three small sons to raise. It was challenging raising a family, being a wife, being a support to my husband who was also acquiring his Master's, maintaining full time employment, and being a doctoral student with a multitude of responsibilities- presenting, class assignments, advocacy, mentoring, volunteering at location and national organizations, publications, internships, teaching, leadership, etc.
How am I overcoming them? I have a strong support system. My husband ROCKS! He has never stopped pushing me. Seeing my children and knowing that obtaining my Doctorate will increase the likelihood of them achieving a further education is also a motivator. Knowing there are not many people who look like me and that bringing in my level of diversity is enhancing the profession.
Additional academic challenges- Was finding a program that fit my needs. This led to me having to travel frequently to my school which was four hours away on weekends or taking time off as needed during the week.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Have or did you seek out professional support such as a coach or consultant so far during this process?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: No. I received professional support from my academic professors, classmates and my National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Fellowship group.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What do you think the research aspect of your journey has in store for you as you begin the dissertation process?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: I imagine I am going to learn more about myself and those in the profession. Now that I am down to this process, I am having to keep on pushing to get to the end.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What advice would you give those about to start their doctoral journey?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: Interview individuals who have acquired their doctorate to get an idea of the expectations. Once you start, you want to keep going until the end. If you know what to expect, you can plan accordingly. Try to avoid any major life changes during this process if possible. Better said than done. However, planning your wedding, moving states, major job changes, having babies, etc. All happy events, however, when in the middle of your doctoral program, can become hair pulling and can add to your stress level tremendously. Several of those changes I engaged in and caused my timeline to be pushed back a bit.
Establish solid connections with people you are in class with. If you do not have a cohort, make your own. If you are in an online program, still establish your own. If I did not have those relationships, this process would have been more difficult.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are a few motivating factors driving you to complete your Ed.D. program?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: There are several factors- wanting to educate other counselors more, being a huge one. A Master's in education was no longer enough for me. My interest to work as a therapist came from growing up in the inner-city communities of Boston, MA where I felt there was an unheard population, and the responses were not consistent with the needs of the population. As I have continued to move through the profession and raise three African American sons- it has become increasingly important to do what I can to create a different future. Working with juvenile justice and low threshold populations will always hold a special place in my heart.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What were/are major challenges you have and how did you overcome them?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: Personally/Professionally challenges overlapped. I returned for my Doctorate at 37 years of age. My husband and I had three small sons to raise. It was challenging raising a family, being a wife, being a support to my husband who was also acquiring his Master's, maintaining full time employment, and being a doctoral student with a multitude of responsibilities- presenting, class assignments, advocacy, mentoring, volunteering at location and national organizations, publications, internships, teaching, leadership, etc.
How am I overcoming them? I have a strong support system. My husband ROCKS! He has never stopped pushing me. Seeing my children and knowing that obtaining my Doctorate will increase the likelihood of them achieving a further education is also a motivator. Knowing there are not many people who look like me and that bringing in my level of diversity is enhancing the profession.
Additional academic challenges- Was finding a program that fit my needs. This led to me having to travel frequently to my school which was four hours away on weekends or taking time off as needed during the week.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Have or did you seek out professional support such as a coach or consultant so far during this process?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: No. I received professional support from my academic professors, classmates and my National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Fellowship group.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What do you think the research aspect of your journey has in store for you as you begin the dissertation process?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: I imagine I am going to learn more about myself and those in the profession. Now that I am down to this process, I am having to keep on pushing to get to the end.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What advice would you give those about to start their doctoral journey?
Sonia E. Gooden-Alexis: Interview individuals who have acquired their doctorate to get an idea of the expectations. Once you start, you want to keep going until the end. If you know what to expect, you can plan accordingly. Try to avoid any major life changes during this process if possible. Better said than done. However, planning your wedding, moving states, major job changes, having babies, etc. All happy events, however, when in the middle of your doctoral program, can become hair pulling and can add to your stress level tremendously. Several of those changes I engaged in and caused my timeline to be pushed back a bit.
Establish solid connections with people you are in class with. If you do not have a cohort, make your own. If you are in an online program, still establish your own. If I did not have those relationships, this process would have been more difficult.