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Teaching personal statement examples

Giving you the chance to show why you'd be a great teacher, your personal statement is an important part of your application and worth taking the time over

What is a teaching personal statement?

Your personal statement is used to explain why you want to become a teacher and your suitability for the role. While your application form briefly outlines your qualifications, skills and work experience, your teaching personal statement is where your personality shines through.

Take your time with it. Many candidates often spend a few weeks on this part of the application as you don't have to write it all at once. You should get someone to read over it and be prepared to receive constructive feedback and write a few drafts before you send it off.

It's important to:

• use examples based on your recent teaching experience
• tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group
• use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'
• be original and honest
• avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'
• demonstrate a passion for teaching.

While it's crucial to get it right, your teaching personal statement is only a small part of the application process. Find out how else you'll need to prepare to  get a teaching job .

How to write a personal statement for teaching

Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1,000 words. It's crucial that you  don't copy  and that the statement you provide is  your own work .

This is your opportunity to:

• write about any relevant skills and experience you have
• explain your understanding of why teaching is important
• detail why you want to become a teacher
• list any extra skills or experience you have, such as volunteering or first aid.

See  personal statements for postgraduate applications  for more guidance.

The nature of your personal statement will vary, depending on the type of teaching you'd like to pursue. Take a look at some of our example personal statements to get an idea of how they differ.

Personal statement for PGCE primary

As well as focusing on roles in which you've gained experience with primary-age children, a PGCE primary personal statement should demonstrate your well-rounded personality and any skills that could be useful for the range of extra-curricular activities primary schools provide (such as the ability to read music for recorder lessons, or drama experience to help with school plays).

Personal statement for PGCE secondary

Many good PGCE secondary personal statements acknowledge the challenges involved in teaching older pupils and provide examples of where the candidate has worked to overcome these problems. As secondary teaching roles are geared towards teaching a specific subject, training providers are looking for more evidence of your subject and degree knowledge.

Personal statement for School Direct

If you're applying for the salaried School Direct route, you should discuss the experience you've gained in the classroom prior to your application. One of your references will need to be from an employer, or someone who can comment on your work ethic and suitability for teaching. Don't worry if your degree is unrelated to the subject you'd like to teach - you may still be able to apply by completing a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course .

Find out more

• Discover how to structure a teaching CV .
• Find out what it's really like to be a primary or secondary school teacher .
• Search postgraduate courses in teaching .

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Crafting a Compelling Teaching Personal Statement

Your teaching personal statement needs to give an insight into your personality, teaching style & unique qualities only you hold. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing a compelling teaching personal statement.

The best personal statements are more than just a list of experiences and achievements. A personal statement which tells a compelling story will always compel the reader to want to find out more. If you keep your philosophy as the central theme and ensure that you use examples of practice which link back to that, it will ensure that your personal statement is a coherent and interesting piece of writing.

What Inspired You:

Begin by reflecting on what motivated you to become a teacher. Headteachers want to understand your background, inspiration, the reason you trained as a teacher and why you want to teach your specialism. Highlight your passion for teaching and your genuine desire to make a positive impact on students’ lives.

Showcase Key Achievements:

Highlight your career achievements, qualifications and teaching milestones that you’re most proud of. Demonstrate your ability to drive student progress and results through concrete examples throughout your teaching personal statement. If you’re an early career teacher, discuss your teaching placements, voluntary work, or even include any quotes from observation reports.

Showcase Teaching Skills:

Demonstrate your teaching skills by providing specific examples. Discuss successful teaching strategies you’ve employed, innovative lesson plans you’ve created, or how you’ve adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners. Highlight any extracurricular involvement, such as coaching sports teams or leading clubs, which showcases your dedication to students’ holistic development.

Keep It Concise and Well-Structured:

Teaching personal statements should be clear, concise, and well-structured. Aim for a maximum of 500-600 words. Use headings or bullet points to organize your content. Start with a captivating opening paragraph and conclude with a strong summary of your qualifications and enthusiasm for teaching.

Proofread and Edit:

Thoroughly proofread your teaching personal statement to eliminate grammatical errors, typos, or awkward phrasing. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, colleagues, or friends to ensure clarity and impact. Editing is crucial to present yourself as a professional and detail-oriented teacher.

Show Enthusiasm:

Infuse your teaching personal statement with enthusiasm and optimism. Convey your passion for teaching, showcase your qualifications, and demonstrate your commitment to fostering student growth. A positive and enthusiastic tone can be infectious and leave a lasting impression.

To conclude, your teaching personal statement is your chance to shine as a teacher. Get personal. Write about what makes YOU in the classroom.

For further support and tips, please reach out to Gemma Yates.

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How to Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement can be a key part of your college application, and you can really make yours shine by following a few tips.

When you're applying to college—either to an undergraduate or graduate program—you may be asked to submit a personal statement. It's an essay that gives you the chance to share more about who you are and why you'd like to attend the university you're applying to.  

The information you provide in your personal statement can help build on your other application materials, like your transcripts and letters of recommendation, and build a more cohesive picture to help the admissions committee understand your goals.

In this article, we'll go over more about personal statements, including why they're important, what to include in one, and tips for strengthening yours.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement—sometimes known as a college essay —is a brief written essay you submit with other materials when applying to college or university. Personal statements tend to be most common for undergraduate applications, and they're a great opportunity for an admissions committee to hear your voice directly.

Many colleges and universities in the US, especially those using Common App , provide prompts for you to use. For example, "Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea" or "Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time" [ 1 ]. If the school you're interested in attending doesn't require prompts, you will likely want to craft a response that touches on your story, your values, and your goals if possible.

In grad school, personal statements are sometimes known as letters of intent , and go into more detail about your academic and professional background, while expressing interest in attending the particular program you're applying to.

Why is a personal statement important?

Personal statements are important for a number of reasons. Whereas other materials you submit in an application can address your academic abilities (like your transcripts) or how you perform as a student (like your letters of recommendation), a personal statement is a chance to do exactly that: get more personal.

Personal statements typically:

Permit you to share things that don't fit on your resume, such as personal stories, motivations, and values

Offer schools a chance to see why you're interested in a particular field of study and what you hope to accomplish after you graduate 

Provide an opportunity for you to talk about past employment, volunteer experiences, or skills you have that complement your studies 

Allow colleges to evaluate your writing skills 

Bring life to a college application package otherwise filled with facts and figures 

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How to write a personal statement.

As we mentioned earlier, you may have to respond to a prompt when drafting your personal statement—or a college or university may invite you to respond however you'd like. In either case, use the steps below to begin building your response.

Create a solid hook .

To capture the attention of an admissions committee member, start your personal statement with a hook that relates to the topic of your essay. A hook tends to be a colorful sentence or two at the very beginning that compels the reader to continue reading.

To create a captivating hook, try one of these methods:

Pose a rhetorical question. 

Provide an interesting statistic. 

Insert a quote from a well-known person.

Challenge the reader with a common misconception. 

Use an anecdote, which is a short story that can be true or imaginary. 

Credibility is crucial when writing a personal statement as part of your college application process. If you choose a statistic, quote, or misconception for your hook, make sure it comes from a reliable source.

Follow a narrative.

The best personal statements typically read like a story: they have a common theme, as well as a beginning, middle, and end. This type of format also helps keep your thoughts organized and improves the flow of your essay.

Common themes to consider for your personal statement include:

Special role models from your past

Life-altering events you've experienced

Unusual challenges you've faced

Accomplishments you're especially proud of

Service to others and why you enjoy it

What you've learned from traveling to a particular place

Unique ways you stand out from other candidates

Be specific.

Admissions committees read thousands of personal statements every year, which is why being specific on yours is important. Back up your statements with examples or anecdotes.

For instance, avoid vague assertions like, "I'm interested in your school counseling program because I care about children." Instead, point out experiences you've had with children that emphasize how much you care. For instance, you might mention your summer job as a day camp counselor or your volunteer experience mentoring younger children.

Don't forget to include detail and vibrancy to keep your statement interesting. The use of detail shows how your unique voice and experiences can add value to the college or university you're applying to.

Stay on topic.

It's natural to want to impress the members of the admissions committee who will read your personal statement. The best way to do this is to lead your readers through a cohesive, informative, and descriptive essay.

If you feel you might be going astray, ensure each paragraph in your essay's body supports your introduction. Here are a few more strategies that can help keep you on track:

Know what you want to say and do research if needed. 

Create an outline listing the key points you want to share.

Read your outline aloud to confirm it makes logical sense before proceeding. 

Read your essay aloud while you're writing to confirm you're staying on topic.

Ask a trusted friend or family member to read your essay and make suggestions.

Be true to your own voice.

Because of the importance of your personal statement, you could be tempted to be very formal with structure and language. However, using a more relaxed tone is better than you would for a classroom writing assignment. 

Remember: admissions committees really want to hear from you . Writing in your own voice will help accomplish this. To ensure your tone isn't too relaxed, write your statement as if you were speaking to an older relative or trusted teacher. This way, you'll come across as respectful, confident, and honest.

Tips for drafting an effective personal statement.

Now that you've learned a little about personal statements and how to craft them, here are a few more tips you can follow to strengthen your essay:

1. Customize your statement.

You don't have to completely rewrite your personal statement every time you apply to a new college, but you want to make sure you tailor it as much as possible. For instance, if you talk about wanting to take a certain class or study a certain subject, make sure you adjust any specifics for each application.

2. Avoid cliches.

Admissions committees are ultimately looking for students who will fit the school, and who the school can help guide toward their larger goals. In that case, cliches can get in the way of a reviewer understanding what it is you want from a college education. Watch out for cliches like "making a difference," "broadening my horizons," or "the best thing that ever happened to me."

3. Stay focused.

Try to avoid getting off-track or including tangents in your personal statement. Stay focused by writing a first draft and then re-reading what you've written. Does every paragraph flow from one point to the next? Are the ideas you're presenting cohesive?

4. Stick to topics that aren't controversial.

It's best not to discuss political beliefs or inappropriate topics in your essay. These can be controversial; ideally, you want to share something goals- or values-driven with an admissions committee.

Polish your writing skills on Coursera.

A stellar personal statement starts with stellar writing skills. Enhance your writing ability with a writing course from a top university, like Good with Words: Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan or Writing a Personal Essay from Wesleyan University. Get started for free to level up your writing.

Article sources

1. Common App. " 2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts , https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2022-2023-common-app-essay-prompts." Accessed January 9, 2024.

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How to write the perfect teaching personal statement

Application and interview, tes editorial.

When applying for a new job, you may be competing with tens or hundreds of other applicants in a race for the role.

The HR manager or headteacher recruiting for the job will be scrutinising every detail of your application to make sure they are bringing in the right people for interview.

The application form is the first hurdle you have to get over and sets the first impression of you as a person in the recruiter’s mind.

• Advice on honing your job search
• How to write a personal statement for teacher training
• How to write a must-read CV

The personal statement: why does it matter? 

The personal statement presents the perfect opportunity to show you are an exceptional candidate, understand teaching and know the school you are applying to.

It is not an easy task and is a tricky thing to get right. It requires being concise and clear – it shouldn’t be too long or read like a list.

You should talk about yourself and your professional achievements, while at the same time apply those experiences to the school itself.

We spoke to Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders , about what goes into the perfect personal statement. Here's what he said:

What does a great teaching personal statement look like?

"In general, I would say no longer than two sides of A4 – typescript. It needs to be well structured and linked to the specific school. It will need to include a number of key areas, including behavioural management, educational philosophy, subject expertise, pedagogy, personal organisation and skills and enrichment activities that the candidate can bring."

What should it contain?

"I would recommend that candidates include three elements in each of the key areas:

• What their beliefs/philosophy/approach is – i.e., the theory
• Their experience in that area
• How they would use that experience in the school they are applying to and specific to the job they are applying for

The statement should also include something personal in terms of their outside interests to indicate that they live an interesting and well-balanced life."

What are school leaders looking to read in a good personal statement?

"They will want to see something of the person’s character come through. It must not be just a list of achievements or repeat of the CV. It needs to be well-written, error-free and mention the school they are applying for – but not too many times. It should read as if it has been specifically written for the school and job they are applying for. I would be looking for something similar to the approach I have indicated above, covering all of the key areas and indicating that they have a vocation for working with young people. Somehow I would like to see a ‘generosity of spirit’ come through in the statement."

How can a candidate stand out in a personal statement?

"A good personal statement needs to include something of the person themselves. It has to make the reader believe that the candidate has something special without bragging or appearing arrogant – but something a bit above what other candidates may offer. A really good introduction and ending are important, and it's worth spending a great deal of time crafting those sections of the statement. Hook the reader in at the beginning and finish on a high note so that they want to meet the person and explore what has been written."

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Teacher Education Personal Statement

What is a personal statement.

Ranked 26th in the world for the discipline of Education,* we are committed to creating a learning community where you are provided with the best environment and academic opportunities to excel in your chosen field of study. From 2018, we have required a personal statement with all applications to the University of Sydney’s teacher-education degrees (excluding early childhood). The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership responded to the Federal Government's request to create selection guidelines for all universities to assess both the academic and non-academic qualities of all students applying for entry into a teaching degree. The personal statement applied by the University allows you to demonstrate your suitability for teaching through the right combination of qualities to enable you to become an effective teacher.

Sydney School of Education and Social Work will hold an interactive online session for  Wednesday, September 20, from 4–4.30pm , to guide teaching-degree applicants through the process of preparing their personal statement. The session will cover both local and international application processes. 

Register for the online session .

* 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject

How do I submit my statement?

Undergraduate uac applicants.

If you are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) to study a teacher education degree at the University of Sydney (excluding early childhood), you will be prompted to complete a personal statement questionnaire during the application process. Please refer to UAC’s guidelines and the relevant UAC form when submitting your personal statement. More information is available on the  UAC website .

Undergraduate direct applicants

Because the number of applications from qualified applicants for many Teaching Areas exceeds the quota of places available, you are required to submit a statement, not exceeding 1000 words, addressing the following four questions about your motivation and suitability for teaching. You must answer all four questions to be considered for selection to the course.  Your responses will be used in the selection process.

• Tell us what has inspired you to become a teacher and tell us why you think teaching is a good career choice for you. Describe who and what has inspired you to become a teacher and describe the types of skills and abilities you will bring to teaching.
• Describe one or two leadership, community and/or learning and development activities that you have engaged in. Describe how these leadership, community and/or learning and development activities demonstrate your conscientiousness and coping strategies when you are faced with challenges.
• Describe how you manage your time when you are both planning and coordinating activities in your personal schedule. Provide examples of how you have put both your planning and coordinating skills to use.
• Tell us about one or two times where you have utilised your problem-solving skills to achieve an outcome. Explain what you learned, regardless of whether the outcome you achieved was positive or undesirable.

You need to submit your answers to these questions in a Word document or a PDF. It is recommended, for your own ease, to answer these questions as four separate items.

Postgraduate applicants

If you are applying for one of our Master of Teaching degrees, you will be required to fill out our Master of Teaching supplementary form and upload it to your online application.

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Example Personal Statement for Teaching

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

Here is an example personal statement of an applicant who got admitted to Masters of Arts in Teaching. For personal statement, the university posed several questions to the applicant, which the admissions committee expects to be answered in an essay form. The program provides these personal statement prompts to encourage students to self-reflect and then to share their insights with the program.

The following essays are an example of a compelling story and reflect the original voice and personality of the applicant. Get inspiration from them and try to incorporate their strengths into your own personal statement.

In this Article

Personal Statement Prompt 1

Personal statement prompt 2, personal statement prompt 3, personal statement prompt 4, personal statement prompt 5, personal statement prompt 6.

Please tell us briefly about the school where you teach and the community it serves. Who are your students? What do they do when they finish school? What kind of work do their parents do?

Life in rural areas is lonely, and the poverty rate is extremely high compared to life in urban areas. I teach in a roadside rural school where all my students come from poor families and are villagers. My school serves a community where most parents are uneducated and unemployed. Most family members work on agricultural lands and some work in urban areas as janitors, security officers and labourers.

Being the only girl’s school in the area, students from adjoining hilly areas come to school on foot, walking 15-20 kilometres daily. There are a handful of schools for girls that impart primary education. Because of these schools, awareness of the benefits of education have increased in the local community. Consequently, people have now started to send their children to schools in bigger numbers. 

Poorly educated children are the source of adult functional illiteracy, which is the primary feeder of poorly educated children. However, girls who got educated in my area eventually became educated mothers and are raising healthier families. This has reduced the vicious intergenerational cycle of functional illiteracy.

Why do you want to enrol in the Masters of Arts in Teaching Program?

Mexico now has an overall literacy rate of only 29%, with rural literacy at a staggering low of 11%. Last year, over two million children dropped out before secondary school, nearly twice Washington, DC’s total population. Even worse, we do not have enough qualified teachers to fill the void in every village or district. This bankrupt education system is ripe for creative disruption, and I plan to do that. Universal quality education is an unattainable dream for rural children because they do not have access to quality teachers and resources. Worse, most of them cannot attend school regularly because they must support their family by working in agricultural fields or households. This work commitment at such a ripe age makes formal education impossible.

Though most girls are forced into early marriage in my area, I was lucky enough to continue my studies after high school. Later I travelled to a much bigger city to get higher education. Unfortunately, there was no college for girls in our village back then. In the city, however, females were educated and valued for their achievements.

At college, I met an English teacher who later became my inspiration. She opened the outside world to me, instilled confidence in me and taught me the things that interest me. She knew my background and told me to take teaching as a profession so that I could educate my community and bring some change. She gave me all the strength and motivation to carry on. In addition, she made me fall in love with the subject of English and Communication.

I didn’t get quality education at the school level since our teachers were either absent from the class or lacked expertise in English language abilities. These factors deeply affected my early learning of English, and since languages are harder to learn later in life, it became a massive barrier. But with the help of my newfound urban teacher, I was able to learn and affirm my ability in this field. My teacher shaped my destiny and encouraged me to enlighten my mind. The day I started to teach was when life started to make sense. It was indeed a golden chance for me to follow in the footsteps of my great English teacher and offer my best services to the people of my village. The condition of schools and teachers in my village is alarming; teachers lack quality education and are ill-equipped. Sometimes students waste all day at school without learning a word. Through my experiences, I’ve seen and learnt a lot about where the deficiency is and where to work for betterment.

I imagine a Mexico where better teachers in rural areas can evolve rural education. It’s already starting to happen in some areas – such as Teach for Mexico – and I want to become a part of something similar. It’s not just about resources. It’s about optimizing them to increase productivity and rethinking what’s possible. I want to dedicate my profession to my village’s people so they can get quality education. I have realized and understood that education is essential to succeed for the less fortunate. I’ve always strived to educate students and their parents, so they know the value of education.

Deep down inside, there’s a feeling in my heart and a voice in my head that I must do something now so that I leave a legacy amongst my village people when I die. Villagers have magical energy and zest for life, especially girls. I see more passion for doing.

I would say life is not meant for me to watch it and just pass by. I’m here to make a difference in the life of my students. I firmly believe that a teacher who successfully combines advanced teaching strategies with resilience is the catalyst for our educational development. I intend to be one of these teachers, and further education is vital to making this a reality.

Please list what activities you have pursued inside and outside the classroom to maintain your professional training as an educator. In addition, please list professional organizations that you are a member of and relevant work in your community outside of school.

To keep students engaged, I believe in creating a relaxed learning culture in the classroom. Moreover, to ensure that students don’t get bored, I develop interactive lessons that are relevant to students. It is important to note that in rural schools, many external factors are at play — poverty, neighbourhood violence, family discord etc. These inevitably contribute to student disengagement. I implement several interventions to reduce the effects of negative external influences. In my case, increasing parental involvement, extracurricular activities, and improving school safety have enhanced student engagement.

Moreover, I engage my students by immersing them in the actual situation. For example, in a class about history, I put students in the position of historical figures and asked them how they would feel and act. Finally, outside the classroom, I actively engage students in co-curricular activities that positively impact their academic, social, physical, and emotional growth.

Describe an occasion when you led by example in your school and community.

One of the most challenging situations I have ever faced as a leader was whether to replace Matthew, a top student in our undergraduate class and my close friend, with another suitable member. The decision arrived after our first two project phases went terribly because of his unprofessional attitude toward Matthew. I was under a lot of pressure from my other three team members to decide – we were a devoted team committed to our goal, but this vision did not fit Matthew.

Although highly talented, Matthew did only the minimum necessary and was unwilling to make any sacrifices and commit to our goal. I faced a tough decision. On the one hand, firing a talented and top student at a time when most other team members were not accomplished seemed unwise. On the other hand, not replacing him would mean establishing double standards for the rest of the team. His opposition to the change had already begun creating undesired effects, as a few of the team members resented him.

To solve the problem, I took drastic steps to make Matthew relate to the new goals and change his attitude. In addition, I also improved the team’s reward system based on his comments to reward the extra efforts. I started encouraging him to participate fully by inviting his input and suggestions on improving things. As a result, matters were significantly enhanced, and I succeeded in building the right team to lead the project forward. Matthew became motivated again, and with him, I had a team that could reach the ambitious goals we set, and indeed, in 4 months, we had posited the best final-year project of the year.

What skills and experience do you hope to gain from participating in the graduate program, and how will these benefit you and your school once you have completed the program? Describe at least two ways you will share these skills with your school and/or community.

The master’s program will help me explore new teaching methodologies and lesson planning, which are the prerequisites in teaching. I can improve my student’s learning skills only if I’m well-prepared. Participating in the graduate program would be an overwhelming experience, as it will enhance my teaching skills more profoundly. In addition, I would gain knowledge and understanding of US culture, which will help me build my confidence and communication skills through interaction with cosmopolitan people – a trait essential for any English teacher. Teachers like me who work in remote areas need to broaden their vision through master’s programs. I am confident that this program will enable me to re-evaluate my teaching abilities.

High-quality teachers are fundamental to good education. Through the graduate program in teaching, I will be able to develop my student’s basic communication skills better than I currently can. In addition, I want to produce students who can compete globally. Finally, I will share my knowledge and experience with students, colleagues, and other schoolteachers with whom I regularly interact through monthly inter-school meetings and community functions.

There is a massive discrepancy in the quality of teaching resources between urban and rural schools, but I’m very committed and not afraid to seek out new challenges. Hopefully, if I’m selected for this program, one of my biggest dreams of bringing change to the lives of my people will come true, and the space of deprivation will be filled up. I will return with a new perspective on culture, language, and teaching skills.

How do you plan/design your lessons? How did your students receive the lesson, and how did you assess your students’ learning?

Class: Grade 7th to 10th

Subject: English    

Time: 40-45 minutes   

Aims:  A lesson plan is the instructor’s road map of what students need to learn and how it will be done effectively during class. Before I plan my lesson, I first identify the learning objectives for the class meeting. This way, I can design appropriate learning activities and develop strategies to obtain feedback on student learning. I aim to make my lessons so easy that my students enjoy learning English without any difficulty. In addition, I want them to specialize in four skills of English: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

For this, I prepare them with practical command over words and phrases, which they will then use to tell a story or describe an incident. Then they must write a letter, an invitation, and a leave application with reasonable speed and zero grammatical errors. For different classes, I use different lesson plans. For example, in seventh grade, I teach them the use of a dictionary along with reading skills. In class eight, I developed their taste in reading stories and books and writing composition. Finally, I give group tasks in ninth and tenth grades to work on all four basic skills.

Methodology : In class, I adopt the Student-Centered Approach to Learning, where the students and I play an equally active role in the learning process. My primary function is to coach and facilitate student learning and comprehension of the material. I follow up with formal and informal assessment forms, including group projects, student portfolios, and class participation. Next, I start my class by asking students questions about the last lesson to link the lesson with a new one. Then I follow through by reading the passages slowly with correct pronunciation and intonation and translating every word for them.

Afterwards, I ask three to four students to read the passage one by one and ask the whole class to read after the students loudly. I correct their mistakes if they read wrong. I tell them the meanings of difficult words and give them new words to increase their vocabulary. In the grammar class, I teach tenses, Parts of speech, articles, types of sentences, narrations, and active and passive voice. I have made it mandatory for students to get their exams signed by their parents so that the parents are aware of their child’s progress. Finally, I assess my students by asking questions on the subject matter taught in the classroom.

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Teaching statements.

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• What is a teaching statement?
• What purposes does the teaching statement serve?
• What does a teaching statement include?

General Guidelines

• Reflection questions to help get you started
• Exercises to help get you started
• Evaluating your teaching statement
• Further resources

What is a Teaching Statement?

A Teaching Statement is a purposeful and reflective essay about the author’s teaching beliefs and practices. It is an individual narrative that includes not only one’s beliefs about the teaching and learning process, but also concrete examples of the ways in which he or she enacts these beliefs in the classroom. At its best, a Teaching Statement gives a clear and unique portrait of the author as a teacher, avoiding generic or empty philosophical statements about teaching.

What Purposes does the Teaching Statement Serve?

The Teaching Statement can be used for personal, professional, or pedagogical purposes. While Teaching Statements are becoming an increasingly important part of the hiring and tenure processes, they are also effective exercises in helping one clearly and coherently conceptualize his or her approaches to and experiences of teaching and learning. As Nancy Van Note Chism, Professor Emerita of Education at IUPUI observes, “The act of taking time to consider one’s goals, actions, and vision provides an opportunity for development that can be personally and professionally enriching. Reviewing and revising former statements of teaching philosophy can help teachers to reflect on their growth and renew their dedication to the goals and values that they hold.”

What does a Teaching Statement Include?

A Teaching Statement can address any or all of the following:

• Your conception of how learning occurs
• A description of how your teaching facilitates student learning
• A reflection of why you teach the way you do
• The goals you have for yourself and for your students
• How your teaching enacts your beliefs and goals
• What, for you , constitutes evidence of student learning
• The ways in which you create an inclusive learning environment
• Your interests in new techniques, activities, and types of learning

“If at all possible, your statement should enable the reader to imagine you in the classroom, teaching. You want to include sufficient information for picturing not only you in the process of teaching, but also your class in the process of learning.” – Helen G. Grundman, Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement

• Make your Teaching Statement brief and well written . While Teaching Statements are probably longer at the tenure level (i.e. 3-5 pages or more), for hiring purposes they are typically 1-2 pages in length.
• Use narrative , first-person approach. This allows the Teaching Statement to be both personal and reflective.
• Be sincere and unique. Avoid clichés, especially ones about how much passion you have for teaching.
• Make it specific rather than abstract. Ground your ideas in 1-2 concrete examples , whether experienced or anticipated. This will help the reader to better visualize you in the classroom.
• Be discipline specific . Do not ignore your research. Explain how you advance your field through teaching.
• Avoid jargon and technical terms, as they can be off-putting to some readers. Try not to simply repeat what is in your CV. Teaching Statements are not exhaustive documents and should be used to complement other materials for the hiring or tenure processes.
• Be humble . Mention students in an enthusiastic, not condescending way, and illustrate your willingness to learn from your students and colleagues.
• Revise . Teaching is an evolving, reflective process, and Teaching Statements can be adapted and changed as necessary.

Reflection Questions To Help You Get You Started:*

• Why do you teach the way you do?
• What should students expect of you as a teacher?
• What is a method of teaching you rely on frequently? Why don’t you use a different method?
• What do you want students to learn? How do you know your goals for students are being met?
• What should your students be able to know or do as a result of taking your class?
• How can your teaching facilitate student learning?
• How do you as a teacher create an engaging or enriching learning environment?
• What specific activities or exercises do you use to engage your students? What do you want your students to learn from these activities?
• How has your thinking about teaching changed over time? Why?

* These questions and exercises are meant to be tools to help you begin reflecting on your beliefs and ideas as a teacher. No single Teaching Statement can contain the answers to all or most of these inquiries and activities.

Exercises to Help You Get You Started:*

• The Teaching Portfolio , including a section on teaching statements, Duquesne University Center for Teaching Excellence. This website includes five effective exercises to help you begin the writing process
• Teaching Goals Inventory , by Thomas A. Angelo and K. Patricia Cross and their book Classroom Assessment Techniques . This “quiz” helps you to identify or create your teaching and learning goals.

Evaluating Your Teaching Statement

Writing A Statement Of Teaching Philosophy For The Academic Job Search (opens as a PDF), The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching at the University of Michigan.

This report includes a useful rubric for evaluating teaching philosophy statements. The design of the rubric was informed by experience with hundreds of teaching philosophies, as well as surveys of search committees on what they considered successful and unsuccessful components of job applicants’ teaching philosophies.

Further Resources:

General information on and guidelines for writing teaching statements.

• Writing a Philosophy of Teaching Statement , Faculty and TA Development at The Ohio State University. This site provides an in-depth guide to teaching statements, including the definition of and purposes for a teaching statement, general formatting suggestions, and a self-reflective guide to writing a teaching statement.
• Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement , Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Iowa State University. This document looks at four major components of a teaching statement, which have been divided into questions—specifically, to what end? By what means? To what degree? And why? Each question is sufficiently elaborated, offering a sort of scaffolding for preparing one’s own teaching statement.
• Writing a Meaningful Statement of Teaching Philosophy , McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning at Princeton University. This website offers strategies for preparing and formatting your teaching statement.

Articles about Teaching Statements

• Grundman, Helen (2006). Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement (opens as a PDF), Notices of the AMS , Vol. 53, No. 11, p. 1329.
• Montell, Gabriela (2003). How to Write a Statement of Teaching Philosophy , from the Chronicle Manage Your Career section of the Chronicle of Higher Education .
• Montell, Gabriela (2003). What’s Your Philosophy on Teaching, and Does it Matter? , from the Chronicle Manage Your Career section of the Chronicle of Higher Education .

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• Pedagogies & Strategies
• Reflecting & Assessing
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Home › University › How To Write A Personal Statement? 10 Tips + Student Questions Answered

How To Write A Personal Statement: 10 Tips + Student Questions Answered

• Published January 20, 2023

Table of Contents

Struggling to write your personal statement? You’re not alone! Most students struggle with this part of the application process. But you don’t have to be one of them.

We know how important it is for you to stand out from other applicants, and we want to make sure that happens. Follow these guidelines for writing a solid personal statement that will help you get into your desired University! If you want to jump to a specific guide, check out below:

• How to end a personal statement
• How to write a law personal statement
• How to write a medical personal statement
• How to start a personal statement
• What not to put in a personal statement
• Personal statement work experience

Save this infographic for future use as it contains all the tips in this article:

What Is A Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a short essay of 4,000 characters and 47 lines that you submit to the UCAS application portal along with your grades and references. They will then distribute your application across different universities or colleges that you have previously chosen.

You have to use your personal statement to demonstrate your interests, talents, and abilities. If you want to be an outstanding candidate, use these top tips to leave a lasting impression on the admissions tutor.

1) Answer These Starter Questions To Help Your First Draft

The most challenging part of writing is starting. Your hand freezes even before you get to type a single word  because you’re not sure how to start. 

But you don’t have to worry about writing yet because these questions will help kickstart your writing.

• Write down your “WHY.” Why do you want to study that specific course you’re applying for? What particular event in your life is relevant to the course?
• How did you learn about your chosen course of interest? Do you have family members or significant figures you admire who have related professions in the field?
• Read the course descriptions. What skills and experiences does the course demand?
• Which of these skills and experiences do you have? Where did you develop them? If you have any certifications, awards, or memberships to highlight your skills and experiences, much better! Doing so will help prove that you  are  a suitable applicant.
• What future career path are you looking to pursue? What are your goals? Stating your dreams and ambitions plainly and your motivations behind them demonstrates your sense of purpose.
• Did you experience difficulty during your education? If you experienced mental or physical health issues that affected your performance, it’s best to include them in your personal statement. Financial difficulties are also essential to point out.
• What are the characteristics you have that sets you apart from the other applicants? Why should the admissions committee consider you?

2) Start Freewriting!

After answering the questions stated above, you now have a solid idea of what it may take to write a good personal statement. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, and the 4,000-word count limit just yet. Let your ideas flow and start writing! 

Remember, the whole point is to convince the reader that you are worth accepting into the University of your choice.

So imagine you’re talking to the school’s admission as you’re typing. Doing so keeps your mind’s eye centred on why you’re writing your personal statement in the first place.

3) Craft Your Personal Statement Into Your Personal Story

To make your personal statement stand out with free-flowing and attention-grabbing language, craft it into your personal story.

Begin by recounting a significant event in your life that kindled your interest in the course you’re applying for. Then continue the journey from there, pointing out essential details of your growth and development.

Not only will this approach keep the reader hooked, but it also establishes a personal connection with them. They’ll feel as if they know  you as a person . Thus, increasing the chances of your admittance into the university.

4) Put Your Best Foot Forward

Once you have your long, messy draft ready, it’s time to clean and polish. The first order of business on how to write a personal statement is to put your best foot forward. Writing a personal statement is equivalent to selling yourself. Meaning you shouldn’t write about irrelevant experiences or skills.

When applying for Biology, don’t write about your achievements in debate championships. Concentrate on your scientific prowess.

Neither should you write about your weaknesses. You don’t have to write about your hatred of Calculus or your difficulty in learning French.

Go over your draft and remove paragraphs and sentences that are not in line with your course. Delete anything that devalues you.

You only have 4,000 words to sell yourself. Make it count!

5) List Achievements & Specific Details In Your Personal Statement

Proper nouns make your personal statement powerful. Saying you’re a member of the “debate association” is nothing compared to the “National Speech And Debate Association.”

Do you see the difference? 

So insert specific details like dates and proper names as much as possible. Stating you won a “leadership award” is not as impactful as “the 2019 Youth Leadership Cup.”

Our guide on  how to write about work experience in personal statements  will have you typing in no time.

6) Proofread & Spell Check

After choosing which narrative should stay and which should go, you now have a shorter, more relevant draft in hand. The next step is to correct your spelling and grammar by proofreading it.

The easiest way to accomplish this is to run your document over in Grammarly. Grammarly is a free writing app that helps you communicate your ideas in a clear and effective way. The premium version leads you a step further, but the free version works fine.

Check out our handy guide on  what NOT to put in a personal statement.

7) Make Your Sentences Concise And To The Point

Check your sentences to make them more concise and to the point.

Sentences with this structure, “I remembered when I was in middle school, I have been very interested in the complex systems of the human body,” can easily be compressed to “Since middle school, I have been interested in the complexity of the human body.”

Each year, universities have to read thousands of personal statements. Make yours effortless to read!

8) Choose Precise Words To Express Yourself

Some words are more powerful and expressive than others. Going with our previous example, instead of saying “I have been very interested,” why not say “I have been passionate”?

Change “think” to “believe.” “Improve” to “enhance.” You can see where we’re going with this. For easy suggestions, type the word you used in the google search bar. Then put in the word “synonyms” after it. Press enter, and voila! You have a list of potential words at your fingertips.

9) Make Your First Paragraph Stand Out 

At this point, you should be comfortable with what personal statements are and how to write them from beginning to end.

Go back to the beginning and make sure it’s as compelling as it can be.

Focus your creative energy on your first paragraph as if that’s the only paragraph the admissions committee will ever read. Make it stand out!

If you don’t, chances are it  is  the only paragraph they’ll ever read!

We’ve also produced an in-depth guide on  how to start a personal statement .

10) Read It Out Loud

You will never know how good your personal statement sounds until you read it out loud.

When you read it, does your tongue roll out the paragraphs smoothly? Or are there incoherent thoughts that don’t go well together?

When a document is difficult to read, you can bet it’s also difficult to understand. So read your personal statement several times and make the necessary revisions until it’s smooth as butter!

11) Let Someone Else Read It

Your personal statement is…you guessed it, very personal. What may be clear to you may not be clear to someone else. That’s why it’s vital to let someone else read it.

Show it to your classmates, teachers, and parents. You need their fresh eyes to examine your document. The more readers you have giving your feedback, the better your personal statement will be.

Receive their suggestions with grace and seriousness. You’ll need the trial run before submitting the final version!

12) Distance Yourself

After having gained feedback from several fresh eyes, it’s time to refresh yours. Put down your personal statement and go about your daily life. Forget about it for a while.

Let a few days pass before you return to it. Then read it out loud again. You’ll be surprised to notice characteristics you didn’t catch before. Edit out parts you dislike, improve others, and retain good portions.

Your personal statement will come out better!

13) Be Authentic

Stay true to who you are and show why you’re enthusiastic.

When learning how to write a personal statement, you don’t have to copy someone else’s. You are unique. Use your own voice and ideas. That’s why this article doesn’t have a rigid, point-A-to-point B structure for you to follow. 

Another thing to keep in mind is honesty. Don’t put in skills you don’t have in your desire to impress. If you lie today, the university will find out later on.

Your goal is not only to make a good first impression but to make a  lasting impression .

14) Give Yourself Time

You shouldn’t cram your way through your personal statement. Treat it as a work of art – intentional and soulful. 

Your personal statement reflects who you are and why you deserve to be admitted into the University. It may take you a month or two to write your personal statement. And that’s perfectly fine! Remember, you will need to distance yourself from it for a few days to get a fresh perspective.

So start early and take your time!

15) End Your Personal Statement With A Summary

Writing the conclusion for your personal statement isn’t too difficult. You need to hit these three points:

• Summarise what you’ve mentioned in the main body of content
• Reiterate your ‘why’ and motivation for your degree choice
• Thank the reader for their time and

Why Do You Need A Personal Statement?

A UCAS personal statement allows you to showcase your qualifications, skills, and experiences, and explain why you fit well for your chosen university degree.

After submitting your personal statement to the UCAS portal, universities will be able to read it and understand why you stand out compared to other applicants. Everything from your writing skills to your qualifications and motivations for your degree is all under the magnifying glass.

How To Structure A Personal Statement?

We recommend using this structure for your personal statement as it’s flexible enough for you to include everything you need to:

• Introduction: Use this to hook the reader by providing information about yourself. For instance, use a relevant personal story or interesting hobby that relates to your degree choice.
• Body: Here is where you explain your interests in the degree, be specific and give examples, and why this course may help improve your career prospects . Try to include relevant skills or experiences, from coursework to internships.
• Conclusion: Summarise everything in your body and state why you are a strong candidate, try to show your appreciation and gratitude.

The key pattern you’ll see throughout is trying to relate all experiences back to the degree itself. Remember this when proofreading as it helps strip a lot of ‘fluff’

How Long Should A Personal Statement Be?

A personal statement can be a maximum of 4,000 characters or 47 lines of text in size 12 font.

Do You Need A Personal Statement If You Take A Gap Year?

Yes, you need a personal statement if you take a gap year. You should include information about your gap year in your personal statement, as it demonstrates how you have used your time productively and highlights any relevant skills or experiences that you have gained.

It also shows that you have been proactive and taken the initiative to gain experiences and skills that will be beneficial for your university studies.

Do You Have To Write Another Personal Statement For Clearing?

No, you do not need to write another personal statement if you’ve entered UCAS clearing. The original upload will be used so just make sure to stay responsive to any calls or emails.

How Long Does It Take To Write A Personal Statement?

We recommend a minimum of 4-6 weeks to write your personal statement. This is because you still have to juggle schoolwork and extracurricular activities at the same time.

Can You Write It In One Day?

No, you cannot write a personal statement in one day, especially if this includes proofreading and editing. As we mentioned, you should spend a minimum of 4-6 weeks and ideally longer to craft a memorable statement.

Can You Use Slang Words In A Personal Statement?

No, you should not use slang words in your personal statement. If there is a quote you are using and the quote contains slang, then yes you can – but only in those circumstances.

What Tense Should You Use In A Personal Statement?

You can use any tense, however, we recommend using the present tense as it helps the reader feel like they were there with you when you write about your experiences and your enthusiasm for the degree.

Do You Feel More Confident To Start Writing?

Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to express your passion and individuality. 

Follow these tips for writing an effective and articulate personal statement that the admissions officers can’t resist reading all the way through.

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Education Personal Statement Examples

What is an education personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for education is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors and show them why you would make a good education candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans.

You are allowed up to 4,000 characters to explain why you are applying for an education degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good education personal statement?

Good education personal statements always use evidence to support their claims. You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed or inquisitive, then use examples from your life to back it up.

To write a successful education personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our education personal statement examples above to get an idea of what a good education statement entails.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my education personal statement?

Many students choose to start their statement by picking a specific aspect of education and explaining why they enjoy it, e.g. developmental psychology, equality and diversity, etc.

Admissions tutors want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying education, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your education degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. shadowing a teacher or TA. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good sociology student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

For more help and advice on what to write in your education personal statement, please see:

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These personal statement examples will show you the kind of thing that universities are looking for from their applicants. See how to structure your personal statement, what kind of format your personal statement should be in, what to write in a personal statement and the key areas to touch on in your statement.

A personal statement is a chance to tell your university all about you - a good personal statement is one that showcases your passion for the subject, what inspired you to apply for the course you’re applying for and why you think you would be an asset to the university.

Our collection includes personal statement examples in Mathematics, Anthropology, Accounting, Computer Science, Zoology and more.

Writing a personal statement has never been easier with our vast collection of personal statement examples.

Personal Statement

15 Accounting statements have been submitted.

Aerospace Engineering

2 Aerospace Engineering statements have been submitted.

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1 American Studies statements have been submitted.

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2 Anthropology statements have been submitted.

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4 Architecture statements have been submitted.

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13 English Literature statements have been submitted.

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1 Environment statements have been submitted.

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1 Event Management statements have been submitted.

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4 Film statements have been submitted.

1 Finance statements have been submitted.

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2 Forensic Science statements have been submitted.

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1 Geology statements have been submitted.

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1 Health Sciences statements have been submitted.

9 History statements have been submitted.

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2 International Studies statements have been submitted.

3 Languages statements have been submitted.

50 Law statements have been submitted.

2 Management statements have been submitted.

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7 Maths statements have been submitted.

5 Media statements have been submitted.

10 Medicine statements have been submitted.

1 Midwifery statements have been submitted.

10 Nursing statements have been submitted.

Pharmacology

9 Pharmacology statements have been submitted.

3 Pharmacy statements have been submitted.

5 Philosophy statements have been submitted.

Physical Education

1 Physical Education statements have been submitted.

3 Physics statements have been submitted.

Physiotherapy

5 Physiotherapy statements have been submitted.

14 Politics statements have been submitted.

23 Psychology statements have been submitted.

Religious Studies

2 Religious Studies statements have been submitted.

Social Policy

1 Social Policy statements have been submitted.

Social Work

3 Social Work statements have been submitted.

6 Sociology statements have been submitted.

Sports Science

1 Sports Science statements have been submitted.

Teacher Training

8 Teacher Training statements have been submitted.

2 Veterinary statements have been submitted.

1 Zoology statements have been submitted.

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Personal Statement Help

What is a personal statement.

A personal statement is an essay written by a student applying to either a college or university. A personal statement is written and then uploaded to UCAS and is then attached to any university applications that the student may then make.

If you need more information check out our personal statement advice articles .

How to write a personal statement

There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement .

How to start a personal statement

When it comes to starting your personal statement, the best thing to do is to be succinct and to have enough tantalising information to keep the reader informed and eager for more.

Your introduction should touch on your personal qualities and why you are applying for the subject you're applying for. Keeping things short and sweet means that it also allows you to break your personal statement up, which makes it easier for the reader.

We have plenty of advice for students that are wondering about what to include in a personal statement .

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Life Goals and Their Changes Drive Success

New Study from University of Houston Indicates If You Can Dream It, You Can Be It

By Laurie Fickman — 713-743-8454

• Health and Medicine

“Where is my life going?” “Who do I want to be?”

As future-thinkers, adolescents spend significant time contemplating these types of questions about their life goals. A new study from the University of Houston shows that a s people grow from teenagers to young adults, they tend to change the importance they place on certain life goals, but one thing is certain: The existence of high prestige and education goals, as well as their positive development, can drive success.  

“Adolescents who endorsed higher levels of prestige and education goals tended to have higher educational attainment, income, occupational creativity, occupational prestige and job complexity after 12 years,” reports Rodica Damian, associate professor of psychology in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . The paper’s first author, Andreea Sutu, is a former graduate student of Damian’s. Also on the team are former UH assistant professor Kevin Hoff and Sif Einarsdóttir of the University of Iceland.  

No prior studies have investigated associations between life goal development and educational or occupational outcomes.

Damian and colleagues found that goals fluctuate – some dreams and goals of youth fall away while some, related to family (like being close to your relatives), relationships (like having good friendships or a romantic partner) and community (like being involved in your neighborhood or helping others) stay strong. These goals might become even more significant as people get older.  

“Life goals are expected to change over time and these changes are expected to have consequences for future life outcomes, including occupational outcomes,” said Damian. “By understanding how changes in life goals relate to educational and occupational outcomes (above and beyond adolescent levels), we show how changes within individuals may also predict desired educational and occupational attainment.”  

The study examined how life goals developed with age and how adolescent levels of goals, and their development through young adulthood, related to educational attainment and occupational outcomes in young adulthood. The study used two nationally representative samples of Icelandic youth followed longitudinally across 12 years from late adolescence to young adulthood.    

“ For educational attainment, the strongest effects were found for education goals. Both initial levels and slopes of education goals were positively associated with educational attainment in both samples,” said Damian. “This indicates that adolescents with higher education goals, and those who showed a more positive change pattern in education goals, had higher educational attainment in young adulthood.”  

Education and prestige goals emerged as the most consistent predictors of later income and that changes in these goals across time were the most consistent predictors of later occupational prestige and complexity.  

“Our work highlights the importance of better understanding sources of goal development in adolescence and young adulthood. Overall, our focus on life goal development, educational attainment and occupational outcomes informs theoretical and practical understanding about the importance of life goals for real-world outcomes,” said Damian. 

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Texts with ‘friendly acquaintance’ not inappropriate, says former Calvin University president

• Updated: Apr. 17, 2024, 6:18 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 17, 2024, 6:12 p.m.

Dr. Wiebe Boer

• Samuel Dodge | [email protected]

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The former Calvin University president accused of sending inappropriate texts to a woman considered her a “friendly acquaintance,” he said in a new statement sent Wednesday.

Wiebe Boer, who stepped down in February amid the accusations, sued the Christian university alongside his wife Joanna on April 12 for breach of contract, discrimination and defamation.

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Education | Dozens arrested at NYU as pro-Palestinian…

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Education | Dozens arrested at NYU as pro-Palestinian encampments spread across city and beyond

Dozens of protesters were arrested at New York University on Monday night as tensions over the Israel-Hamas war continued to simmer on U.S. campuses .

Students and faculty protesting the war set up an encampment on NYU’s Gould Plaza on W. Fourth St. near Mercer St.

The university tweeted a warning that if everyone left by 4 p.m., no arrests would be made. Around 8:35 p.m., dozens of police officers in riot gear went on campus and started detaining protesters. As cops took down tents, some demonstrators were seen throwing objects at the officers. Cops used pepper spray as some protesters attempted to block buses taking away those arrested.

NYU blamed non-student demonstrators for escalating the situation.

“Early this afternoon, additional protesters, many of whom we believe were not affiliated with NYU, suddenly breached the barriers that had been put in place … and joined the others already on the plaza,” university spokesman John Beckman said in a statement.

“This development dramatically changed the situation,” he continued. “We witnessed disorderly, disruptive, and antagonizing behavior that has interfered with the safety and security of our community, and that demonstrated how quickly a demonstration can get out of control or people can get hurt.

“Many refused to leave,” the spokesman added. “We also learned that there were intimidating chants and several antisemitic incidents reported. Given the foregoing and the safety issues raised by the breach, we asked for assistance from the NYPD.”

A really chaotic scene here, shoving and arrests as at least 100 protestors encircle their tents pic.twitter.com/LohPUJAeVS — Liam Quigley (@_elkue) April 23, 2024

Earlier Monday, cops cleared an encampment at Yale University protesting the war in Gaza, days after a similar action at Columbia University led to the arrests of more than 100 protesters .

Yale students set up a camp Friday in Beinecke Plaza , the central area on the school’s New Haven campus. Demonstrators called on the university administration to divest from Israel. Administrators had said the students could stay through the weekend but would be evicted Monday.

When protesters refused to leave Monday morning, cops moved in. New Haven police said they arrested an estimated 45 people and released all of them with summonses to appear in court. The protesters were all charged with misdemeanor trespassing.

“With no warning of when they would come, police ambushed us at 6:40 a.m. while students at the encampment were sleeping,” Occupy Beinecke, a student-led group, posted on Instagram.

“Yale, you have intimidated us, criminalized us, militarized our campus, and failed to accept our demands,” the students continued. “We will not stop, we will not rest until we have disclosure and divestment.”

A spokeswoman for Yale did not immediately return a request for comment.

In New York City, students set up an encampment at The New School, along with Columbia and NYU.

Messages emblazoned on signs and tents at NYU included “Deoccupy,” “Free Palestine” and “Jews for Anarchy.”

“Heeding the call from our comrades at Columbia, NYU students have brought the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to our campus,” the coalition said. “We amplify the call for Palestinian liberation and the divestment of our universities from the Zionist project.”

Like the Columbia demonstration, NYU students are calling on the university to divest from Israel and reverse all student and faculty disciplinary measures related to pro-Palestinian activism. Their demands include an end the institution’s partnership with Tel Aviv University and the shutdown of its Tel Aviv campus.

A rep for NYU said the demonstration began without notice to officials.

“We are addressing this issue with urgency,” John Beckman said earlier Monday.

“Access to the plaza has been closed,” he added. “Classes are carrying on. The university is committed to minimizing disruption to its academic mission; preventing escalation and violence, and precluding hate speech, harassment or threats directed at any member of the NYU community.”

A half mile away, about a dozen students at The New School erected a green-white-and-blue encampment Sunday, writing on the tents with red marker: “Liberated Zone,” “Free Palestine” and “Divest From Death.”

The demo came after the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine was put on probation last Friday through the next school year, prohibiting the student group from hosting public events or using school resources, the group wrote on social media.

“We will remain until ALL our demands are met,” the student group said.

In a message to students Sunday, The New School said the demonstration was unauthorized, but college officials were in communication with protesters to “resolve the situation.”

“Because of the successful dialogue between the president and the students, there will be no charges for the demonstration,” the memo stated.

Students protesters were set to meet Monday with a college operations official to discuss divestment from Israel and were eyeing a meeting with the board of trustees’ investment committee to push for greater transparency. The New School said it would also launch an investment advisory committee with elected student representatives.

“During this especially charged time in our society,” the school’s email continued, “the university is strongly committed to supporting the rights of members of our community to peacefully protest and express themselves, and to do so in accordance with the university’s codes of conduct.”

In Boston, administrators at Harvard beat students to the spot and closed Harvard Yard ahead of anticipated pro-Palestinian protests, while classes continued as usual.

“Structures, including tents and tables, are not permitted in the Yard without prior permission,” read a sign on a gate, which was photographed by The Harvard Crimson.

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Columbia University president grilled about campus antisemitism at congressional hearing

Columbia University’s president strongly denounced antisemitism during a congressional hearing Wednesday, saying that after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, “the world changed, and so did my focus.”

“Antisemitism has no place on our campus, and I am personally committed to doing everything I can to confront it directly,” President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik told the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas terrorists and very soon it became clear that these horrific events would ignite fear and anguish across our campus.”

Shafik faced questions about her handling of antisemitism on campus after the Oct. 7 attack alongside two members of Columbia's Board of Trustees and the head of the university's antisemitism task force. She faced particular scrutiny for how the university handled faculty members who made comments about Hamas that were perceived as antisemitic.

Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., grilled Shafik about Joseph Massad, a tenured professor in Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department who published comments in October calling Hamas' attack a “ stunning victory .”

“I do condemn his statement. I am appalled by what he said,” Shafik responded. “He has been spoken to.”

The hearing became particularly heated when Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., pressed Shafik about why Massad is still listed on Columbia’s website as the chair of the academic review committee.

Stefanik asked Shafik for her commitment that Massad would be removed as chair, and Shafik said she would get back to her.

Stefanik also questioned Shafik about Mohamed Abdou, a visiting professor at the Middle East Institute at Columbia. She referred to an Oct. 11 post on Facebook in which Abdou wrote, “Yes, I’m with the muqawamah (the resistance) be it Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad but up to a point.”

When asked about consequences, Shafik said Abdou “will never work at Columbia again.”

Her appearance in Congress came after she declined to testify at a hearing in December, citing scheduling conflicts.

That hearing included testimonies from the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who all drew intense scrutiny for their responses to questions regarding antisemitism and hate speech on campus. Penn and Harvard 's presidents have since resigned.

When Shafik and her colleagues were asked by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., whether calling for the genocide of Jewish people violates Columbia’s rules — the same question posed to Harvard, MIT and Penn’s presidents — all answered “yes.” Bonamici also asked Shafik about the chants “by any means necessary” and “intifada,” which Shafik said were distressing.

Noa Fay, a Jewish student at Columbia who attended the hearing, told NBC News that she was "underwhelmed" by Shafik's testimony. Fay added that last semester it was “nearly impossible for me to get through academically and mentally” because of antisemitism she said she experienced on campus.

“I’m an RA, and last semester, all my bulletin boards that I post up in our halls were vandalized, written with ‘stop supporting genocide, cease-fire, free Palestine, from the river to the sea,’ all of these things,” Fay said. “It has consumed every aspect of our student life.”

Ahead of her hearing, Shafik published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal about what she planned to say in her testimony to Congress.

"Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, I have spent the most of my time addressing its aftershocks," Shafik wrote. "It is hard to describe how difficult this has been, especially on a large, diverse urban campus with students from all over the world and a long tradition of political activism."

Columbia is being sued by five Jewish students and two student organizations after it suspended the student groups Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace in November. In March, Shafik confirmed that a "number" of Columbia students were suspended after allegedly participating in an unauthorized panel called "Resistance 101" that featured speakers who supported Hamas.

Emi Tuyetnhi Tran is an intern for NBC News Digital.

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New University partnership with Google will support career, workforce growth in Nebraska

April 16, 2024

University of Nebraska students, alumni and Nebraskans now have more opportunities to earn educational credentials and advance their careers thanks to a new partnership between NU and Google announced today by Interim President Chris Kabourek.

Under the new partnership, Nebraskans will be able to earn Google Career Certificates in a variety of fields crucial to the state’s workforce growth and competitiveness, including cybersecurity, IT, data analytics and business intelligence.

Pre-registration for the Google programs is open now . Programs will be offered in three cycles in 2024-25, with start dates in August, December and April; 2,500 seats are available in each of the three sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. The Google programs – developed and taught by Google experts and vetted by leading employers – are open to NU students, alumni of any University of Nebraska campus, and Nebraska residents for a special first-year rate of $20 per enrollment.

“This is an incredible opportunity not only for our students to supplement their degrees with additional credentials, but for all Nebraskans to gain new skills and move up in their careers without having to uproot their families or jobs,” Kabourek said. “As a native of rural Nebraska myself, I believe strongly that every Nebraskan should have access to quality, affordable educational opportunities no matter where they live or what their personal circumstances are.

“Anytime we can find a way to bring more education directly to our students and Nebraskans, it’s a win. That’s why I’m so excited to join with Google on this new effort. This is one more way the University of Nebraska is working to meet the needs of our citizens and address the urgent workforce challenges facing our state.”

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood said: “Developing Nebraskans to take the jobs of the future is one of the cornerstones of growing Nebraska’s economy. Options like the Google Career Certificate program help provide affordable access to both enrolled students and people working who need more flexible options. Congratulations to the University of Nebraska and Google on bringing this to Nebraska, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this is going to have as NU provides yet another pathway for Nebraskans to pursue their dreams and expand their career horizons.”

Under the partnership, students and Nebraskans can enroll in the following Google Career Certificates. The programs prepare learners for entry-level roles, with no experience required, in three to six months of part-time study:

• Cybersecurity
• Data Analytics
• Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
• Project Management
• User Experience (UX) Design

The following advanced certificates are also available, designed for learners with several years of experience or who have completed foundational Google Career Certificates in a related field:

• IT Automation with Python
• Advanced Data Analytics
• Business Intelligence

For current university students, pairing a “microcredential” like a Google Career Certificate with their bachelor’s degree program can enhance their skillset and make them more competitive in the job market. A 2023 report from the American Association of Colleges and Universities, for instance, found strong support among employers for microcredentials, with two-thirds saying they would prefer to hire college graduates with microcredentials for entry-level positions.

Google Career Certificates can benefit alumni and Nebraskans as well by allowing them to swiftly upskill in today’s rapidly evolving workforce. More than 250,000 people in the United States have earned a Google certificate and 75 percent report a positive career impact, such as a new job, higher pay or promotion, within six months of completion, according to Google research.

To date, 250,000 Americans have completed the Google Career Certificate program, and 75% of them report a positive career impact, such as a new job, promotion, or raise. Thousands of employers hire from the program including an employer consortium of more than 150 national employers.

“Google is proud to work with the University of Nebraska to offer the Google Career Certificates program to people across the state,” said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. “We’re committed to investing in Nebraskans to ensure that they have the tech and other job ready skills to enter the workforce and reach their full economic potential.”

Kabourek noted that the new partnership between the University of Nebraska and Google is aligned with broad statewide goals for increased educational attainment. The Board of Regents in 2022 endorsed a legislative goal for 70 percent of Nebraskans to hold postsecondary credentials, in line with projections showing that a rising share of Nebraska jobs will require education beyond high school. Technology, IT and business are among the fields in high workforce demand.

The Google partnership is part of a broad strategy at the University to expand access to microcredentials and professional development opportunities to more Nebraskans and support workforce growth in the state. The Google Career Certificates will be offered through NU Advance , the university’s existing platform for online non-credit and professional development courses. Taken together, the growing catalog of learning opportunities available through NU Advance provide significant opportunities for Nebraskans to enhance their competitiveness and mobility in the job market at an affordable cost.

The new noncredit offerings also supplement current strategies in the University of Nebraska’s business and engineering colleges, where the deans are working together to offer current students and alumni in-demand specializations from Google as well as IBM, Salseforce, Hubspot, Meta and others. Having access to market-ready specializations will help learners in the colleges be more competitive as they complete their degrees, enter the workforce or look for new job opportunities. Faculty can also stay current in rapidly moving fields.

“This is a terrific new partnership that adds to the work my colleagues, our exceptional faculty, and I are doing to offer students and alumni the opportunity to add to their skillsets and amplify their marketability,” said Tim Jares, dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology. “From our perspective, the more opportunities for education we provide, the better. I’m proud that the University of Nebraska is playing a leadership role in creating access for Nebraskans and growing a skilled workforce for our state.”

In partnering with Google to offer career certificates, the University of Nebraska joins a list of leading institutions including the University of Texas System, Rutgers and UCLA.

About the University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska is the state’s only public university system, made up of four campuses – UNL, UNO, UNK and UNMC – each with a distinct role and mission. Together the campuses enroll nearly 50,000 students and employ 16,000 faculty and staff who serve the state, nation and world through education, research and outreach. For more information and news from the University of Nebraska, visit www.nebraska.edu/news .

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