PHD Economics African Rainforest Personal Purpose
- Feb 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 17

Two decades ago, in my homeland of Togo, West Africa, I was honing my skills in crop cultivation using basic tools and living in a small tent in a secluded rainforest, sheltered by leaves and branches. Despite these conditions, I was driven to succeed and pursue an education. As a result, ten years ago, I obtained a BA in Economics from the University of ____.
Five years ago, I began working with the United States Department of State. Ten months ago, I started tutoring undergraduate students in Economics for 13 hours a week at ____ University, where I will complete my master's degree in economics this December. My journey has been one of upward progress. I remain highly determined to succeed, and now a Ph.D. seems within reach. ____ is my top choice for pursuing a Ph.D. because I aim to attend the world's leading institution.
My intellect is the only gift I received at birth, and I intend to use it to its fullest potential. My long-term goals include teaching economics at the university level and conducting research that will improve the lives of people in remote areas, particularly in my native Africa. I see economic development as the only path to alleviating the severe human suffering caused by underdevelopment, and I view my studies as a moral and spiritual commitment to serving others. I am fortunate to have this opportunity, yet I will never forget my origins. My primary goal is to assist my people in Africa by fostering stronger economic and educational ties between Africa and the United States. I am eager to acquire the most advanced and innovative research skills, as I believe research is the frontier for economic progress.
My current position as a graduate assistant at ____ University has reinforced my desire to become a university professor. I enjoy engaging with students, helping them understand course material, and witnessing their success, explaining the underlying reasons and methods of each research topic. I aspire to benefit from the Project's mission to increase faculty diversity at higher education institutions. Alongside research, teaching, and mentoring students, encouraging them to pursue further studies is my main professional objective. I aim to serve as a role model for minority students, particularly first-generation immigrants like myself in America.
I want my students to see how Africans can thrive when given the right opportunities and tools, and I am especially eager to inspire students from minority backgrounds, boosting their self-esteem and confidence that they can succeed in highly competitive environments. I plan to write my dissertation on the challenges to economic development in Africa, using Togo as a case study, offering a new perspective on addressing the severe poverty of the African masses sustainably.
Beyond research and teaching, my long-term plans include establishing an economic development consultancy firm to support businesses genuinely interested in entering African markets. Thus, after completing my Ph.D., I hope to secure a teaching position in the US that will allow me to apply and refine the skills and techniques acquired during your doctoral program, creating a launching pad for my consultancy firm.
Thank you for considering my application.
PHD Economics African Rainforest Personal Purpose Help






Your statement is powerful, inspiring, and deeply persuasive. What makes it especially compelling is the way you weave your personal journey—from humble beginnings in Togo to advanced academic and professional achievements in the United States—into a narrative of resilience, determination, and purpose. The image of learning to grow crops with rudimentary tools and sleeping in a rainforest tent contrasts beautifully with your current role as a graduate assistant and tutor, underscoring the extraordinary progress you have made through perseverance and dedication.
Your academic trajectory, from earning a BA in Economics to completing your master’s degree and now aspiring to a Ph.D., reflects a clear upward path of growth and ambition. The experiences you describe, particularly your work with the U.S.…