Completing a Doctorate While Working Full-Time is Possible for These Two Professionals
Completing a Doctorate While Working Full-Time Is Possible for These Two Professionals
17 June 2025
Pursuing a doctorate degree is a major commitment, especially for professionals managing careers, families, and other responsibilities. But for two graduates of Benilde’s Doctor in Tourism and Hospitality Management (DTHM) program, that goal became a reality.
Dr. Paulyn Jayziell Sanchez-Buhay and Dr. Lorena “Lhoree” Valerio recently completed their DTHM degrees while continuing their work in the industry and in education. Their experiences show how the program helps learners develop leadership, research, and teaching skills grounded in real-world practice.
For both graduates, research was a major highlight. Dr. Sanchez-Buhay explored sustainability and resilience in tourism as the focus of her dissertation. “My passion for tourism and hospitality deepened, especially in the areas of sustainability and resilience,” she shared. “Benilde opened my eyes to the broader impact our field can make.” She also credited Benilde’s digital library for helping her navigate thesis writing, saying, “It was a lifesaver.”
Dr. Valerio said her interest in research grew through team projects and proposal defenses. “Using SPSS was so exciting that I couldn’t wait to dive into quantitative research,” she said. “These experiences not only honed my skills but also filled me with a deeper sense of responsibility to contribute to the academic community.”
Beyond research, the program helped each graduate grow as a leader. “Pursuing a doctorate is life-changing,” said Dr. Sanchez-Buhay. “It sharpened my thinking, grounded my values, and gave me a deeper understanding of the field.” For Dr. Valerio, it meant stepping back into the classroom with a new perspective. “I am a teacher, but once I entered the DTHM classroom, I became a student again. I learned humility, flexibility, and the value of taking on more challenging tasks.”
Strong mentorship and support also played a key role. “My dissertation adviser made a profound impact,” said Dr. Sanchez-Buhay. “His guidance gave me the confidence to finish strong.” Dr. Valerio also expressed appreciation for her support system. “My dean, Dr. Marie Castro, encouraged me to pursue a doctorate, and that influenced my career path deeply.”
Time management was another shared challenge. “Time management at its finest,” said Dr. Sanchez-Buhay. “I had to be very intentional with my schedule and prioritize what truly mattered.” Dr. Valerio echoed the same experience. “The ‘walang tulugan’ is real,” she joked. “I learned to prioritize, say no to distractions, and stay aligned with my goals.”
Now that they have earned their degrees, both graduates are committed to giving back. “I plan to return to the academe and continue teaching,” said Dr. Sanchez-Buhay. “This degree has strengthened my desire to share what I’ve learned.” Dr. Valerio shared a similar path. “I want to mentor future scholars, solve real-world problems, and strengthen the link between theory and practice.”
The Doctor in Tourism and Hospitality Management program prepares individuals for careers in research, teaching, and consulting. The curriculum includes 24 units of coursework and 12 units of practice-based dissertation. Graduates are expected to lead organizations, produce scholarly work, and contribute to the field with integrity and innovation.
Benilde also offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism and Hospitality Management by Research. Unlike the practice-based DTHM, this program is fully research-driven, requiring 36 dissertation units across three years. It is the first of its kind for a hotel school in the Philippines and is tailored for professionals who want to focus on academic study and independent research.
These programs are offered under the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management. SHRIM is the first and only hotel school in the Philippines with Level IV accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. It has been recognized as a Center for Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education and is certified as a Guest Service Property by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.
For more information on Benilde’s graduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
