PhD/DBA Strategic Mentoring Discovery Form

Balancing a senior career with a doctorate is a high-stakes challenge, and most university structures aren't built for the reality of a working professional's schedule. You've come to the right place.

I'm Emmanuel Tsekleves, a Full Professor at Lancaster University who has examined 45+ doctoral theses. I work with a small number of mid-to-senior professionals to help you keep momentum and reach submission, showing you what your examiner actually assesses, not what the textbooks say.

My mentoring provides:

Expert feedback on your writing
Accountability to keep you progressing
Career positioning for your post-PhD/DBA goals
Support with responsible AI use in research
Strategic guidance to avoid costly mistakes

Before we schedule a discovery call, I'd like to understand you and your journey. The fuller your answers, the more likely we'll connect, and the more value I can create in our conversation. I work with very few people at a time, so thoughtful answers genuinely matter.

What's your name?

First NameLast Name

What's your email address?

example@example.com

What's your LinkedIn profile URL or website?

Select your country

Are you doing your PhD/DBA full-time or part-time?

Current Professional Seniority/Status:

How did you find me?

Why are you doing a PhD/DBA? What's the end game: personal, professional, or both? (I ask this because understanding your motivation helps me tailor my support. Is it personal fulfilment, career advancement, a pivot to academia, or something else?)

Which university are you with, and what is your specific research topic?

Where are you in the process?

Other

How would you describe your current relationship with your supervisor? Are you getting the specific, high-level feedback you need or are you mostly self-managing and figuring it out alone? (Be candid; it helps me understand the gap I'd be filling.)

What are you struggling with more than anything right now? (I read this more carefully than any other answer. Be specific. For some it's the turnbacks that never end, or staring at a blank page unsure what "good enough" looks like; for others it's the structure disappearing after coursework, or the worry that it might not pass the examiner. Whatever yours is, tell me plainly.)

What will finishing actually mean for you, for your career, and personally? (Some are chasing the authority the letters bring; some a pivot; some simply want to make a parent proud, or to prove to themselves they finished. There's no wrong answer.)

A note on mentoring fees: 1:1 strategic mentoring is a premium, month-to-month service starting from $1,000 per month, depending on the level of support you need. It's designed to save you significant time and academic frustration, and I work on the basis that I earn the right to invoice you each month.

I mention this early simply so we're both clear before we talk. It does not affect whether I want to speak with you. Supporting working professionals through their doctorate is part of my life's work, and I'll happily talk with anyone who answers these questions thoughtfully.

Having seen the above, how does this kind of investment sit with you right now? (There's no wrong answer. This just helps me understand where you are, and it won't change my interest in a first conversation.)

WHEW! You're finished.

I know this probably took a minute to fill out, and I'm honoured that you took the time to tell me about yourself and your PhD/DBA journey. I'll follow up within 72 hours to let you know next steps.

Thanks for your time!

Emmanuel Tsekleves