Advice for Further Study
I have the highest regard for Georgia Tech and a couple of my former students earned doctorates there. But I worry about any online program that has over 10,000 enrolled students. My worry is that, unless you are extremely well motivated and already know how to learn at a high level, you won't get the support you need. Certainly not the support that you get in a smaller face to face program.
Getting some publications out is a good idea, of course.
But, you've asked another question here about studying in US. I suggest that you apply to some universities here, covering a wide range of research universities, and see it you can get accepted. You may well not need any additional steps.
Don't just jump into a program because you've read that it is &quot;important&quot;. In fact, others will also try to jump in, increasing the competition. Think, instead, of what you want to do as a career and take steps to achieve it.