In the next four years, as I complete my Ph.D., I will become a competent researcher that can conduct research independently in my chosen field. As a part of these goals, I strive to assume a position of leadership in service, research, and instruction.
I have demonstrated competency in professional development in multiple ways over the past several years in an academic staff position. I have slowly been moving toward the completion of a master's degree and beyond for over a decade. Multiple personal setbacks prevented me from accomplishing my goals and professional development earlier in my career. I’m proud of where I am no matter the outcome. I completed the speaker reflection assignment for Drs. Tu-Keefner and Kitze after the class dialogue on their experiences as faculty. They also spoke about their extensive research projects. The assignment counts as professional development because I plan on becoming research faculty upon graduation from my Ph.D. program. Their specialized knowledge in the field is relevant to my professional goals. This essay reflecting my discussion reactions will be a reminder of the event. The shared knowledge will be useful in writing articles and research.
Throughout the course, iSchool faculty participated as guest speakers to share their professional experiences. Class members were tasked with researching faculty before the discussion and then writing a 2–3 page reaction essay afterward. The essays addressed how the speaker related to personal impact, future goals, and preconceived ideas. In addition, there was an option to follow up with additional questions for the guest if any. This resulted in a thorough examination of the dialog.
In the coming semesters, I will use the knowledge I gained throughout the course to navigate academic life and research. I feel each of the class meetings had something unique to offer. Whether it was talking to Dr. Curran about the history of library science or the future of research with Dr. Kitze, everything had a purpose and place. I’m used to more structured classes, but the curriculum of this course required flexibility. In hindsight, I don’t think it would have worked as well if taught in a rigid format.
