Program:
Specialization: Human Resources
Part 1: Professional Goals
Professional Introduction
My professional goal incorporates the attainment of a strategic position on the basis of my knowledge, skills and abilities. I intend to become a strategic expert by encompassing the senior human resources leadership rank. I also want to utilize my technical and conceptual skills in order to direct, inspire and lead others by means of my representation as a human resources scholar. I possess adequate academic knowledge about Human Resource Management because I have completed my graduate and post-graduate education with the specialization in Human Resources Management. My bachelors degree account for the technical apprentice because it provided me with the novice level of understanding about the technical and strategic ability. It also provided me with an adequate level of knowledge to initiate my career as a federal government officer. Similarly, my work experience and master degree enhanced my knowledge and technical ability. I started to develop the understanding of strategic role and became a technical practitioner my field. Moreover, after working for 17 years in a public organization, my technical skills have been enhanced and I have become familiar with the strategic human resources operations. In this manner, my role has been modified from apprentice to practitioner on the basis of knowledge and experience whereas, my role modified from practitioner to an expert on the basis of prior knowledge and extensive experience. On account of my prior education and academic knowledge, I have come to understand that the field of Human Resources intrigues me and provides me with the vast prospects to observe the workforce, critically analyze their contribution to the organization and effectively direct their potential to achieve the organizational objectives. My prior professional experience is relevant to the field of human resource management and hence, by pursing Ph.D. in Human Resource Management, I can widen my knowledge and utilize my practical experience to address the real life human resources issues with my research work.
Professional and Academic Background
My professional background comprises of my experience as a Human Resources and Workforce Development Specialist, in which I have incorporated the practical implication of utilizing the most valuable resource of the organization, known as human resource, in such manner that it generates value and competitiveness for the organization. My professional background accounts for the experience that has been acquired from the public organization and such organizations are large scale and face organizational issues like downsizing, streamlining, and high-velocity change. My professional background is enriched with the real life experiences that are acquired during such critical situations where organizations have to incorporate strategic decisions that encompass the organizational change. Moreover, my academic background accounts for Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a minor in Human Resources Management, as well as, Master of Arts in Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management. Therefore, I also possess adequate academic knowledge to meet the professional challenges in an effective manner.
Goal Statement and Their Relation to Academic Research
My goal statement is as follows:
“To gain experience in leading and managing others in a variety of different types of situations simple and routine as well as complex and complicated”.
“To become effective at leading people who lead others as well as to become proficient in creating management processes that span across the organization and leading large scale organizational change initiatives”.
I intend to adept my knowledge, skills and abilities with the advanced practice of Human Resource Management by means of using the academic research to familiarize myself with the advancements in this field. I also intend to implement innovative practices to enhance organizational performance by means of applying the research implications. In public organizations, high-velocity change is common due to changes in federal policy and objectives and hence, change at the strategic level is required to integrate organization with the federal policy and objectives (Fuller & Unwin, 2004). In this manner, I can enhance my leadership skills to lead the employees through the organizational change and other critical situations. Moreover, I can enhance the management processes by utilizing me leadership skills. This extent of leadership and management skills require in-depth understanding of dynamic leadership and management practices in a multidimensional and diversified contexts. I can acquire this knowledge by actively engaging in the academic research and can utilize the recommended and innovative implications in the practical situations.
Reflection of Walden’s Mission Statement
My personal and professional philosophy is based on the utilitarian principle of the greatest happiness (Mill, 1863; Sen et al., 1982). In this sense, it is my mission to consciously gather valuable knowledge from Walden University and redistribute it to larger teams, as I guide and instill individuals’ work with visionary approaches. Hence, I envision myself as a life learner and future mentor for diverse teams, influencing their professional development with integrity and devotement. My work philosophy is in alignment with Walden’s mission statement: “Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholars – practitioners so that they can effect positive social change” (Walden University, 2016). Just as this distinctive academic institution is on a mission to serve a diverse community, similarly, I have a passion to support individuals with different cultural and professional backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
Attainment of the Doctoral Degree Related to Goals
Doctoral degree ensures that the acquisition of the enriched and detailed knowledge via in-depth study and practical application of the advanced tools in order to address the practical concerns. I intend to enhance my knowledge, skills and abilities in order to perform better at a strategic level in the organization and doctoral degree can ensure my adequate exposure to the in-depth theoretical knowledge, innovative work practice, implication of high performance work systems and practical implications of advanced human resources tools and strategies.
Part 2: Educational Background and Research Proficiency
Academic Coursework in Business, Human Resources, Leadership and Management
In accordance with the prior coursework in business, my knowledge related to the development, implementation and execution of the business strategy and its integration with the organizational objectives has been developed. The strategies to make the business competitive at a local and global level has also been enlightened via the prior coursework. Moreover, the prior knowledge of human resources has enlightened me with the internal competency of the organization, i.e. human capital and hence, adequate investments by means of training, effective leadership and strategic direction can enhance the skills of the human capital and make the organization competitive. Leadership coursework in this instance, has enlightened me with the strategies and tactics to set strategic direction and integrate the workforce in a group so that they share common goal, utilize their strengths as a whole and achieve their work related objectives. Similarly, coursework in management provides the basic knowledge about the integrated functions of the organization that mainly comprise of operations, marketing, finance, information systems and human resources. In this manner, these functions are being studied as a whole and the extent to which they contribute to the achievement of the organizational goal of growth and sustenance.
Academic Coursework in Other Fields
My educational background accounts for Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a minor in Human Resources Management, as well as, Master of Arts in Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management. My coursework in Bachelor of Business Administration provided me with the broad knowledge about the functional and business aspects of the organization. It provided me with the basic understanding of the core subjects and enlightened me with the prevailing specialization possibilities. It helped me in developing my communication skills, presentation skills, managerial skills, problem solving skills and business decision making skills by means of related internships, case projects and field visits.
However, my course work in Master of Arts in Management was focused on the practical application of the managerial and analytical tools in order to make strategic business decisions. It helped in incorporating innovation and creativity by providing a learning environment that was focused on knowledge acquired from the empirical research and applied learning. In this manner, masters program provided me with the opportunity to utilize my subjective knowledge by using a practical and empirical approach.
My course work in the human resource management provided me with the basic understanding of job analysis, job design and descriptions, planning workforce requirements, recruitment, selection, training, evaluating, compensating and appraising employees. My course work in business ethics enhanced my knowledge about the moral values that are required to be obliged by the business in order to ensure the integrity of the business. Similarly, my course work in business law provided me with the legal exposure and challenges that organizations need to face and oblige in order to ensure their legit work operations.
My course work in the field of sales ensured that I understand all the aspects of sales and marketing and the extent to which sales turnover can effect the profitability of the business. It also enlightened me with the sales strategies that organizations can incorporate in order to achieve their target profits. The course work in business plan provided me with the skills to determine the business opportunities and propose feasible business plan in order to generate profits in long term. Similarly, my course work in financial management provided me with the skills to understand and interpret the financial statements and make business decisions on the basis of financial grounds in order to enhance the profitability and efficiency of the organization.
Professional Presentations, Seminars, Training and Workshops
I have been working in a federal government organization due to which I have been provided with the numerous opportunities of conducting professional presentations that addressed my seniors and key government personnel. Being a part of the federal system, I have been provided with the continuous training and development opportunities in which the employees are provided with the opportunity to attend in-house as well as international seminars, training and workshops. I also possess completion certifications in Human Resources Practices, Training and Development, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, Leadership and Customer Services. Moreover, I have also been trained to enhance my facilitation skills in order enhance my mentoring skills.
Volunteer Work
I have also actively participated in the volunteer work in which I have helped homeless people by providing basic necessities. I have also provided some homeless people with the blue-collar jobs so that they can enhance their standard of life. I have also mentored some orphans by means of providing them with the basic necessities and educational support so that their standard of life can also be enhanced. This volunteer work integrates with my field because I have focused on generating employment for the potential job seeker and I have also offered basic educational or training skills so that the knowledge, skills and abilities of an individual can be increased and they can perform better in their practical life.
Past Research, Publications and Teaching Assignments
I have actively engaged in research and have adequate research experience in human resources, leadership and managerial practices. I have also incorporated research in the dimensions of Employee Engagement and Performance Management. Moreover, I was also part of an academic research team during the Training Certification Programs, which provided me with the knowledge about training design, need based training, training evaluations and outcomes. I have also engaged in teaching assignments in order enhance my teaching skills and have an experience in working as a substitute teacher for kindergarten through high school.
Access to Research Material
As a result of working for the federal government, I have access to may databases and system that contain publications that are relevant for the purpose of my study. Due to 17 years of work in the federal office, I have distinguished myself as a trustworthy individual, being entitled to access the needed publications. In addition, as I am also a lead researcher, I have the ability to order new titles that could enrich the federal resource center, and improve my own knowledge by accessing innovative studies and research. Furthermore, Walden University contains modern and updated electronic libraries that assist students in their preparation.
Academic and Research Strengths and Weaknesses
I have an adequate experience in the field of human resource management and I have experienced numerous situations and managerial concerns at the tactical, functional and strategic level. I can use these experiences in order to incorporate problem identification for my research and can indulge in addressing these concerns on a scholar ground. I have access to my organization’s database which can provide me with the latest trends in the industry and using that information, I can support my research on an empirical basis. In this manner, I can acquire the advanced knowledge by utilizing my practical experience with the advance research methods and in-depth studies.
In accordance with my professional experience, I have been a positive influencer for my subordinates due to which I understand their work related challenges. In this manner, I have experienced numerous dimensions of work groups on the basis of different managerial levels. I can utilize my knowledge to address the concerns that are faced at the different levels of hierarchy and can provide effective leadership implications to eradicate such concerns. I am also a keen observer and analyzer due to which I can develop integrations and links between different views of the scholars and can enlighten a new dimension of study to incorporate academic research.
However, I do not possess effective research modeling skills due to which my research titles may not seem strong enough to draw conclusions and attract the attention of concerned authorities. In this manner, I look forward to the doctorate program to enhance my research skills so that I can utilize my experience and integrate it with the academic knowledge and research so that my findings can be implicated in the practical situations.
Conclusion
The doctorate program enables the individuals to integrate their academic knowledge with the real life concerns and on the basis of research studies and in-depth analysis of the prior academic work, the implications are proposed to address such concerns. Similarly, I want to achieve the same outcome from the doctorate program and I intent to utilize my practical experience and prior academic knowledge in such manner that it can help me strategize at an organizational level, understand and address diversity, incorporate organizational change and lead people in an effective manner. It can be done when I will learn to address the practical concerns by using the advanced research models and prior academic and empirical studies. Therefore, I intend to pursue doctorate in the field of business administration so that I can equip myself with the advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to function as a strategic expert and scholar.
Part 3: Plan of Study and Program of Study Form
Overall Learning Goals
I envision the Ph.D. in Management program will challenge my skills and abilities, supplementing the areas wherein I need to improve, such as strategic thinking, human capital management and oral communication. In addition to reading the online materials that Walden prepares for its doctoral students and developing a thorough dialogue with tutors and peers, I also want to access the case studies prepared by change-making alumni and business leaders, who prepared revolutionary reports that advance the business world (Walden University, 2016.). Using my research capabilities, I want to contribute to Walden’s resources, by interviewing business professionals from the private sector bank context, in order to strengthen my strategic thinking abilities. I also want to maximize each opportunity that the university will offer to attend on conferences and presentations that could improve my academic skills in the area of oral communications or human capital management.
Description of Coursework
The doctoral program coursework is interesting and thought provoking. I am interested in learning research best practices as well as the subtleties of the organizational structures, and to challenge my own perspectives about business leadership and management, Another course, Complexity and Applied Systems Thinking poses a dilemma, wherein leaders are faced with both the requirement to be flexible for fitting uncertain environments, and display predictable systems; hence I am intrigued to learn how to balance the two. Regarding the course Mechanics of Individual and Group Decision Making, I hope that it will provide real life examples of situations wherein leaders had to make complex decisions based on competing paradigms, for understanding how to act when such scenarios will arise. For the Research, Theory, Design, and Methods course, as well as for the Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis, I hope to receive instructors’ assistance, suggesting relevant practices that would improve my methodological abilities.
References
Fuller, A., & Unwin, L. (2004). lntegrating organizational and personal development. Workplace learning in context, 126.
Mill, J.S. (1863) Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son, and Bourn, West Strand.
Sen, A., Williams, B., & Williams, B. A. O. (1982). Utilitarianism and beyond. Cambridge University Press.
