Bria Brimmer, South Carolina State's setter in volleyball, had what could be an awakening over the summer that has altered how she looks at her future.
Brimmer, a senior accounting major from Austin, Texas, participated in the PhD Pipeline Opportunity Program (PhD POP) at Duke University. Her plans were to pursue an MBA after she graduates next spring. But the PhD POP internship piqued her interest in pursuing a doctorate degree, and she is seriously considering entering a doctoral program immediately after she completes her undergraduate course work.
"I hadn't thought about it before,'' says Brimmer, who was among 22 students selected from 95 applicants nationwide - mainly from HBCUs - who participated in the two-week program. "When I thought about a Ph.D., I thought of professors coming to work and teaching. I learned that it's more than that.''
The Fuqua School of Business at Duke created PhD POP to assist under-represented minorities to qualify for and to acquire doctoral degrees in business disciplines. It involves academic-year activities at the participating institutions, which include Cheyney, Hampton, Clark Atlanta, Johnson C. Smith, Hampton, Florida International, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T and Syracuse.
It is designed to help address the shortage African-American, Hispanic American and Native American professors in business disciplines nationwide. It is estimated these groups comprise 4%-7% of faculty members in U.S. business schools.
Brimmer and the other interns heard lectures by minorities with doctorate degrees, who brought to life the idea that a Ph.D. was not out of the realm of possibility.
"When they started talking about salaries professors make (the average salary between the first and fourth year after completing the doctorate is $65,427), I didn't know they made that much,'' Brimmer says. "That put it in perspective, and the flexibility. It's not just teaching; its research based. You teach two days out of the week. That made me think about teaching afterwards.''
Brimmer acknowledges that initially she only had lukewarm enthusiasm about participating in POP. The iPad and $500 stipend enticed her complete the application.
"When I read the material got more excited,'' she says, adding that once she got to Duke and became immersed in the program, she sold on it.. "I enjoyed myself. It made me want to get a Ph.D. It was two weeks well spent.
"We didn't know what to expect. It was an eye-opener. I started taking in what they said and not worrying about the iPad and the $500. That was cherry on top.''
Brimmer has become an advocate for PhD POP internship after her experience in the program. She says she will encourage her classmates to apply and participate if they have the opportunity.
"It's something they need to experience,'' she says. "It gives you another option in terms of career choices. I'll share my personal experiences with them. They have no excuses not to apply.''
Brimmer, who has a 3.52 cumulative grade-point average, is a three-time Presidential Scholar and a two-time member of the Commissioner's All-Academic Team, South Carolina State athletic director Charlene Johnson says she's not surprised that Brimmer had a positive experience in the program.
"It was a great opportunity for her,'' Johnson says. "It demonstrates the leadership she has exhibited. Anytime you get the opportunity for an internship, it prepares you for the future. Bria has come in as a quiet assassin on the volleyball court and academically. I think she will continue to shine.''
Brimmer helped the Lady Bulldogs win the 2010 MEAC title with 49 set assists in their championship match victory against Delaware State. She led the conference with 1,331 assists during the regular season.
"Bria Brimmer is one of the most competitive student-athlete I've coached,'' South Carolina State coach Donika Sutton says. "She's extremely smart off the court, and she's the smartest person on the court. She runs the offense, and she keeps the girls motivated. She is one of the most athletic and underrated players. But the fight inside of her, you have no choice but be aware of her.''
Brimmer comes from an athletic family. Her mother, Rose Brimmer, is an assistant coach with the University of Texas women's track team; her father, Leo Brimmer, is a retired police officer who played quarterback at Texas Southern University in the mid-70s, and her older brother, Brodney Poole, is a defensive back with the New York Jets.
Brimmer also competed in track until she was a sophomore in high school. That's when her father suggested that she concentrate on one sport. She says she was "good enough'' in track, but she chose volleyball.
"I realized track isn't for everyone,'' she says. "It didn't take me long to realize that. I was always a team sport person. Track is more of an individual sport. I like depending on people and people depending on me.''
Sutton says that mentality is part of what makes Brimmer a special athlete.
"That says who she is,'' Sutton says. "She could have easily run track. She's an excellent track athlete. She likes to be part of something. She likes the feeling of knowing she's doing it for more than herself. Today's kids are selfish and want the glory. She does double the work and doesn't boast. At the end of the day she steps up to the challenge. She's an excellent teammate.''