Professional Goal Statement Written For Walden University
Degree and specialization: I am writing this document to specifically address my entrance into Walden
University as a candidate for a PHD in General Psychology following the Research Psychology track.
• Personal/Professional Goals
I have been working for the federal government as an electronics engineer for twenty
years; both my age and years in federal service coincide with post career challenges and
opportunities as possibly a teacher, researcher or writer. Therefore, I am interested in
obtaining a PHD to undergo the academic peer review process that my future ambitions and
aspirations require. Why psychology you might ask, the explanation is simple, I have been
exposed to the study of psychology professionally and I like it. Having worked for the federal
government with the Department of the Navy during the confusing period shortly after 9/11, I
was assigned many duties that were no longer just about the mechanism of our strategic
defense but more importantly the causes behind why we create the structures we do as
opposed to our adversaries. Until then, I had spent most of my professional engineering career
working with system architectures and responses to artificial stimuli, not the causes of
cognitive dissonance. Therefore, post 9/11; much of my job related experience has included
the psychological component of the man machine interface as part of a systemic that
possesses knowledge. I have already outlined and partially constructed a roadmap that could
provide concepts or even axioms to explain the acquisition of knowledge, and I believe the
research psychology course work will help me enhance and refine the analysis portion of this
work.
• Academic Experience
Throughout my life I have left little behind in terms of wisdom; therefore, I think all
experiences are important in defining the here and now, so in this expose I will include the
trade portion of my academic experience as well. Academically speaking my early years were
shaky but it wasn’t until I entered trade school in the US Merchant Marines did I develop the
confidence to start a life of incremental academic achievements. My first academic
achievement was to finish High School at the Merchant Marine academy and go onto junior
college. This was a Marine like structure with shaven heads and hidden identities and my first
real taste of organizational behavior. At the Merchant Marine Academy I was given a little
power and selected Assistant Boson where I was expected to lead and make the rank and file
conform. It was this experience that changed my life completely because at the time giving
me power was like handing a gun to a child; I just wasn’t that academic, responsible or
concerned. But all of a sudden, I was expected to be an example and a subject of admiration.
Therefore, the experience of belonging to something and participating in groups as a lead
made me accountable to others for the first time in my life. The Merchant Marine Academy
really tested my academic ability at that time in my life and I learned to complete all academic
and social objectives placed before me. A few years later after entering into the Merchant
Marine career path, I decided to broden my academic horizons once again by entering into a
degree program in pursuit of a new career in electronics and engineering. I started this new
academic pursuit at the local junior college but after achieving an Associate in Applied
Science Degree I would eventually transfer my credits to a four year institution and complete
a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology in 1986. After graduation I left
the Merchant Marines and started a career in Electrical Engineering for a Naval Architectural
firm as an entry level Junior Electronics Engineer for a period of two years. Shortly thereafter,
I stated a new position as an Electronics Engineer with a Department of Defense Engineering
Contracting firm that lasted only one year, until the Navy hired me into the Scientific and
Engineering career group as an Engineer in Training (EIT) that would last 18months. I rapidly
advanced in the government going from GS-7 to GS-13 in 2.5 years where I remained for a
period of 17.5 years. It is not unusual to stagnate at the GS-13 level but in 2004 I started
looking for career alternatives through continued education and reentered school at the
masters level.
your previous undergraduate and graduate academic experience; if you do not have the
specialization background, you may want to explain how you plan to apply your prior
academic skills to your chosen specialization.
o You may include any experiences (e.g., study abroad, unique work or research experience)
that influenced your choice of graduate program/specialization.
o Explain any inconsistencies in academic record or work experience. If your GPA is not
what you would have liked, explain special personal, physical or family circumstances that
may have adversely affected your GPA.
• Research Experience
o Address prior research experience, significant research papers/projects or other research
accomplishments in your field. If you do not have any prior research experience, you must
indicate that under this section.
• Work /Other Experience
o What is your prior work experience? Include any volunteer work and/or extracurricular
activities that complement your career decision. If you do not have any relevant experience,
you should indicate this. You can also address any cultural knowledge or experiences you
may have acquired that may better prepare you for the field.
• Personal Qualities
o Include in this section personal qualities (e.g., interpersonal skills, team work skills, etc.)
you possess that you believe will contribute to your success in your field and graduate study.
• Why Walden?
o Indicate why Walden would be a good match for you and your future goals.
o What interested you about Walden (this could include courses, faculty, and / or research
projects and facilities)?
o Why are you interested in an online program?