I served in the private and public sectors, for over 25 years. Many times in the past 18 years I considered getting a PhD, but never did. Now after working as a futurist, and strategy consultant and a entrepreneur, I finally decided I had done it all.

I made money, I lost money; I organized strategic alliances, I launched out on my own, only to look back and see no one following! I know I can leverage my skills. I understand platform leadership and innovation. For me it was no longer a matter of just doing, but finding a way to invest in others, and change both society and its culture at a deep level.

As I reached the sabbath age of 49 I realized I could take a different tack, and play a different end-game. In 2003 I enrolled in PhD, that allowed me to continue working, at least part-time. Now after 4 years I have written my dissertation on the future-readiness of strategic leadership.

What about you? Where are you on your own journey? Have you built a career, and now want to extend your vocation to serve future generations?

If you are a mid-career professional that is ready for change, consider joining me via Regent University. Look into how you might get a PhD in Organizational Leadership and apply futures studies to that. In the summer of 2007, I began full time as an assistant professor with the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.

I am looking for a few good souls who want to bend the curve of the 21st century, and raise their own game as scholars and practitioners.

If you are someone who can carve out 30 study hours a week to invest in your future, you could be a candidate. You would take two 3 hour credit courses for 3 years or 9 semesters. The first 18 months would be "core" courses. By your 5th semester, presuming you would study year round (with December, April and August off), you would start taking electives. Here is where you could really apply futures studies.

The focus of the Regent PhD is on theory, not on practice. The PhD degree is for folks who want to teach, research and publish, and solve problems at deep levels, through quantitative and qualitative research.

Regent's strength is the human side of leadership. It is known for its research into Servant Leadership. It is a private Christian university much like Notre Dame. It is ecumenical, and anyone can study there, whatever their religious background. The tuition is competitive, but set at rates for those in the global North. But the flexibility in the program and especially through the elective track allows you to study your electives, while living in the third world.

The School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship has a long-term commitment to strengthen the field of futures studies. We offer a whole M.A. in Strategic Foresight and our 3rd year professional doctorates, or DSL degree students can take their final year in foresight studies.

The real reason I am investing effort to get my PhD is to strengthen the futures discipline. I invite you to join me. Let's raise up dozens of new PhDs that can teach, research and publish in futures studies and strategic leadership; and define the next generation of both theory and practice in these significant field.

There are other options, of course. But none, IMO, are as well grounded in values, leadership, strategy, and thought leadership than Regent's PhD. They are accepting applicants year round in this program, and in as little as 48 months, you could be embarking on a significant career change both as a professional futurist and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership.

Please contact me, Jay Gary, PhD if you are interested.