PHD Instructional Technology Personal Statement

A focused student delves into his studies for a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology, surrounded by academic texts and symbols of global exchange.

At 38 years old, I have spent half of my life in the USA, having left Portugal at 19 to seek adventure, career opportunities, and personal growth. I chose to stay and make the USA my home. Although I spoke little English upon arrival, my aptitude for languages helped me overcome this challenge. Besides my native Portuguese, I am fluent in English, Spanish, and French, and I can manage in Italian.

My love for languages and education led me to earn an MA in TESOL in 2011, which greatly benefited my volunteer work as a host ESL teacher for Hispanic students from underprivileged backgrounds. I also taught Spanish for two years at a private Catholic school. By the time I completed my Master's in TESOL, I had discovered a new passion for Pathology through my volunteer work with the ____ County Medical Examiner in Detroit starting in February 2009. I continue to dedicate as much time as possible to assisting with various research projects there.

My volunteer role in forensic evisceration with the ____ County Medical Examiner motivated me to pursue a BS in Pathologists’ Assistant Studies, which I completed in 2014. Although I don't often share it, dissecting cadavers has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I view death as our greatest adversary, fueling my desire to understand the causes of death. I have performed numerous autopsies, initially as a volunteer and later as a certified Pathologist Assistant. Striving to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness in this area is my proudest achievement.

Conducting many autopsies has broadened my horizons, allowing me to grow as an interdisciplinary scientist with knowledge across various fields. This versatility made me a valuable asset to the academic community, leading to my position as a faculty member in the Pathologists’ Assistant Studies Program at ____.

While continuing my professional and academic growth as a faculty member, I aspire to pursue a doctoral degree. After careful consideration and discussions with colleagues, I have decided to apply for a PhD in Instructional Technology to focus on education and leverage my technological skills.

I am very satisfied with my career development, particularly my role at ____ University’s Pathologist Assistant Program. However, I believe earning a doctoral degree is essential to reaching my full potential and making significant contributions to my field. Instructional Technology is where I anticipate learning the most relevant skills for advancing Pathology Assistant Education. Therefore, I am seeking acceptance into the PhD program in Instructional Technology at ____ University.

I am drawn to your PhD program in Instructional Technology because of its educational focus, which will aid my career progression and help me achieve a university teaching certificate. This credential will enhance my candidacy for advancement, with the ultimate goal of becoming a program director. I plan to pursue a cognate in Anatomy, my area of expertise.

Your program’s emphasis on educational administration and its comprehensive approach to preparing educators for greater responsibilities resonates with me. I would be honored to contribute to research on technological advancements in anatomical sciences, particularly exploring holography for anatomy courses.

My ultimate aim is to be an effective teacher who designs classroom instruction with efficient delivery systems, appropriate assessments, and consideration for diverse learning styles. Your program’s focus on instructional design and learning theory excites me about starting my doctoral studies.

Engaging in a dynamic field that stays abreast of developments in biology, anatomy, and pathology while pursuing an advanced degree in educational technology is exhilarating. I see your IT program as the perfect launchpad to propel my career forward and maximize my contributions as a teacher and future administrator.

The director of my program at ____ has been a strong supporter of mine for years. He was particularly impressed by my presentation skills as a student, leading to my selection to present at a national conference on inflammatory breast cancer, recognized by the research foundation. Co-authoring several forensic papers has also solidified my role as an educator at ____. With my program director planning to retire soon, he has been preparing me to succeed him in both the Pathologists’ Assistant Studies Program and the Post-graduate Forensic Investigation Program. He agrees that Instructional Technology is the ideal field for my doctoral studies.

Therefore, I aspire to become the Program Director of the Pathologists' Assistant Program. As a teacher, I aim to ignite a passion for learning in my students, making classes interactive and relevant to their future careers. Earning my PhD in IT at ____ will enhance my ability to provide the best education and preparation for my students.

Thank you for considering my application.

PHD Instructional Technology Personal Statement

PHD Instructional Technology Pathologist Assistant Faculty