I will start by saying it was not easy. I will admit it. The hardest part for me was trying to find a topic that was relevant, needed, and realizing there was a gap in the literature. I wanted to write on a topic that I was passionate about. Trying to work on a project you do not have passion for will only deliver mediocre results which come from lack of enthusiasm, lack of curiosity, and lack of self-motivation. With the help of my coach I discovered a topic I was passionate about and couldn’t wait to get started. We worked side-by-side because English is not my first language so sometimes I knew what I wanted to say and couldn’t find the right words to express myself. My coach helped me by illuminating my strengths and build off of them to produce results that showcased my ideas. I then hired an editor. I did this because I wanted to see how my work would be transformed in a language that would be relevant to many different countries. I remember reading it after it was edited and there was a direct correlation from what I was thinking to what was now on paper. My dissertation was not only published but I have used it as a stepping stone for jobs, careers, and future publications.

Cristina Seaman