Personal_Statement

Personal Statement 'You want the job that you have to be something that you enjoy for the rest of your working life. Bobby, what do you want to do for the rest of your working life'' This was a question presented to me early in my sophomore year. I answered sarcastically to this question and said that I wanted to stay in school forever. Little did I know this could really be a possibility given my interest in psychology and my fulfillment being employed in a collegiate environment. I enjoy college life and learning and am interested in the personal development of young adults. I like studying, conversing with faculty and other students, and participating in campus events. Upon the realization that I could stay in the academic world and obtain a career in such a community, I researched the many options available to me with this in mind. Through this research, I discovered that Higher Education was a perfect fit for what I was looking to do with the rest of my life. My fulfilling work as an office assistant for the Methods of Inquiry program of the Graduate School of Education confirms that. I believe that the university environment is a pleasant place in which to be employed. And so I decided to dedicate all of my time, from then on, to attaining a prestigious position in this field. In order to broaden my experience, I decided to take on other ventures. First, I became an active member in several clubs including NYPERG and the Undergraduate Sociology Club. Through these organizations, I gained valuable leadership and interpersonal skills while also helping out the community through various activities. Next, keeping in mind that research would be an important aspect of graduate school, I became involved in research labs in the university. This experience was a positive one, and my senior year I decided to run a research project of my own to become an honors student. Teaching was one thing that I haven't done yet and that I wanted to try, so I became a teaching assistant. Well, this experience in particular proved to be a self-discovery. I felt self-assured lecturing in front of a classroom full of students. I felt especially confident and helpful in one-on-one meetings with students during my office hours. This semester, I am gaining direct experience working in the Career Planning and Placement Center. This experience in particular is giving me valuable hands-on experience and is encouraging my objective to become a student service provider. In sum, my practical work experience, undergraduate studies, and personal interests support my decision to study Higher Education. I have a strong preparation to help me realize both my personal and professional goals. I am confident that my academic and work experiences have imbued me with the maturity and competence that your program demands. My experiences as a Teaching Assistant, Office Manager, Research Assistant, and Career Advisor have given me the skills that will stand as a strong foundation from which to build upon through the outstanding master's program at the University of Michigan. Through these experiences, I have developed maturity and tenacity that surpass many of my peers, and I believe that such qualities are the most indicative of my ability to succeed at a graduate level. My goal after receiving my master's degree is to apply my administrative skills in leadership positions at a college or university. Education has always been a top priority in my life and I am proud to be dedicating my life to this field. I feel that my experiences, as well as my commitment to education, would be an asset to the University at Michigan's master's program in Higher Education. I have chosen this as my program of choice because of its nationally recognized Student Affairs track. I have researched other programs in Higher Education, but UB's Student Affairs track was the first and only one to excite me. I am applying to no other program due to the complete confluence of my interests and the offerings of your program. The various courses and hands-on experience with assistantships will no doubt prepare me my ideal career. I am enthusiastic about my field of study and anticipate the day I possess the qualifications required for the many great careers available to Higher Education graduates. UB will definitely provide me with excellent training preparation for a career in Higher Education. I look forward to the challenges ahead and hope I am given the opportunity to contribute to your program. Bibliography: