Advice

Des O. Ellis

"My advice to Walden students is to be prepared to put in the work. This journey is not a sprint, but a marathon you must be ready and willing to endure to the end—which is graduation. Take advantage of the resources here at Walden for this is your “village” as you matriculate through your respective programs."

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Transcript: Meet Walden's Peer Mentor: Desmond Ellis

Current Walden Program: Master of Business Administration

Previous Program at Walden: BS, Communications

Professional Goals: My goal is to complete my MBA and pursue a career in Executive Management with the federal government.

Location: Georgia

Hobbies and Interests: Traveling, playing tennis, bowling, spending quality time with friends and family, watching western classics, track and field, and relaxing with some good music

Family and Pets: I married my husband, Ellijah, on 10/5/2019. We have a 3-year-old Shih Tzu named Waterford “Shooter” Ellis and a 1-year-old Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Rolex.

My Academic Journey

Why did you choose Walden for your undergraduate degree?

A few of my coworkers within the federal government obtained their degrees from Walden University, and when I asked around for a reputable school to continue my education, Walden was the unanimous choice. I wanted an environment where the staff are supportive and the professors are engaging and flexible.

What has been your favorite class at Walden (to date) and why?

My favorite class so far was Digital Storytelling. This class gave me the opportunity to enhance my resume and cover letter while focusing on my online presence. I found this class useful, as it made me aware of how much of an impact a post, like, or share on social media can follow you.

What have you learned about yourself so far on your academic journey?

I’ve learned that I can do anything I put my mind too. You hear that often, but when I am sitting at the computer, and it’s just me and my thoughts, I am amazed how focused I can be on any task.

What is one fear or anxiety you had about starting school that you no longer have?

Initially, when I enrolled, my biggest fear was to be in a class with students who just got out of high school. As someone who is in their early 40s, it can be an adjustment when you’ve been in your career for a few years, and you feel like you’re starting over. I have since embraced encounters with those just getting started with their college journey. It is refreshing to learn the opinions and thoughts of those from a different generation than myself.

Learn more about my academic journey

6 Tips for Successfully Managing Your Time (Blog)

AIM-ing Higher: How the AIM Program Can Help You Achieve Your Goal of a Master's Degree (Blog)

Continuing Your Journey: Adjusting to Graduate-Level Expectations (Blog)

Getting Started - Your First Week at Walden (YouTube)

My Mentorship Experiences

Mentorship Experiences

Who is your academic, professional, or personal mentor? Why has this person been so important to you?

I am fortunate to have an academic, professional, and personal mentor rolled up into one person. She is my coworker Christy, and I can credit her for motivating me to return to school. Whenever those times of self-doubt creep in, she is always there to give me that extra push that is needed.

Why did you want to be a peer mentor?

My attraction to this position was to be a support system for those along the same journey as myself. When I enrolled, this mentoring program was not available, and I relied on advisors and professors for guidance, but there is only so much assistance they can give. I wanted to be a part of a program that connects students to other students who know exactly what it feels like to cram for an exam or have anxiety about writing the perfect paper.