Pursuing a PhD Degree in the Information Technology Field - Essay Example

Tell us why you are pursuing a PhD degree in the information technology field, and how this degree will help you to achieve your life goals. A PhD ininformation technology will allow me to educate at an advanced level. This will allow me the opportunity to be a mentor, and have influence on the lives of others in a most positive way. As a teacher and mentor I will be able to enrich not only my life, but the lives of others. After receiving my Masters in information technology, I realized it did not fulfill my need to be the best I can be. In order to earn a PhD in information technology, one must master the subject matter, and be able to extend the depth of the subject matter to the next level. I am prepared to take the next step, in order to fulfill my need to better myself. A part of me wants the PhD because it is the highest degree obtainable. I thought having a Masters would satisfy my need to be the best, but that was not to be. I now know that having a PhD is the real pinnacle of academic success. Having a prestigious degree will take me to the next level in my professional and academic career. Doing research at a PhD level will allow me to give back to my field, allowing a contribution to my success as an information technologist. One of my life goals is to leave the next generation with a belief there is no substitute for hard work and education. Lifelong learning enriches our lives and the lives of those around us. There is so much to learn, but so little time to learn and share knowledge. Describe a past professional or educational experience in IT that has had an impact on your success in IT. I have been furthering my education most of my adult life. I have been working as a technologist for more than ten years. In that time I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with many outstanding instructors and mentors. One such mentor is a co-worker who has an uncanny capacity to not only understand complex issues, but the ability to share with me the complex solutions. I credit his mentoring with teaching me that having the answers is only part of the equation. The lesson learned from this mentorship impacted the way I now interact with students in my on-line classes and when interacting with other IT professionals. In reflection, I would credit the way in which my partner did not judge my lack of talent, but took a genuine interest in my future success as an IT professional. Anyone else might have seen my lack of expertise as a sign of weakness and exploited me to advance their career, but his patience carried me through. The positive impact that my co-worker had on my life, allowed my IT career to flourish. This taught me a valuable lesson on what it takes to be a mentor to someone who has the potential of becoming an information technologist As a networking consultant, how I explain technology to a customer is often the difference between getting to the next level and not getting anywhere at all. Being an online instructor is much the same way. Both come down to being a good mentor. Describe your research interests and how you could contribute to the field of IT in your profession. My primary research focus is on virtualization and cloud computing, and the impact it will have on the future of information technology. Virtualization is the separation of an obvious function (or capability) from the physical means through which it is produced. The limits imposed on by hardware and the physical medium is greatly reduced by using virtualization. Five years from now information technology will be using virtualization in ways that have not been thought of yet. Virtualization and cloud computing will change the landscape of technology at all levels from the corporate CIO to the end user working from home. The blending of virtualization with cloud computing will make the physical location of computing less of a concern for businesses and users. End users will not concern themselves with how it happens, but amazed that it happens at all. The large corporate IT staff may become a thing of the past as the numbers of boxes stored onsite are greatly reduced. The need for in house technology support will move offsite to a more secure, up to date virtual location. Gone will be need for fixed cost analysis for the upgrading of hardware and software. Virtualization combined with a cloud computer will offer more flexibility in the cost of hardware and software builds based on need. The planning for step upgrades will be replaced with continual constant improvements for specialized applications, user productivity, data backup and security. Being a researcher with a background in networking will allow me to incite into the benefits of moving away from the limits of time and space imposed on corporate businesses and users. I can help give virtualization and cloud computing the credence it needs to be accepted as it leaps forward in technology. Describe what you would consider to be one of your greatest accomplishments, and how you achieved it. One of my greatest accomplishments was finishing my Masters in Information Technology. This one accomplishment took nearly four years to complete. The time and effort invested in achieving this milestone earned me an outstanding degree, plus a great sense of accomplishment. After completing my Masters, I found myself with extra time on my hands. In hindsight, completing the requirements for my Masters happened because of the sacrifice I had given in time and effort. Without online learning, my greatest accomplishment might not have been realized. The decision of choosing Capella as my university of choice, allowed me the support I needed to reach my milestone. Capella’s interest in my success was the first reason in my decision to stay the course and reach my goals. The outstanding instructors that facilitated my courses gave me the encouragement to apply myself to the task of completing every assignment to the best of my ability. Their timely feedback and constant monitoring of the class kept me from making costly mistakes. This allowed me to keep moving forward. Nothing of value ever comes without hard work. No accomplishment can be appreciated without honest reflection on the time and effort it takes to complete a difficult milestone. I supplied the time and effort and Capella supplied the support and expertise in online learning that presented me with the right path to take. These are the same reasons that will ensure my success in pursuit of my PhD in Technology Information. Capella will help me achieve my goals and dreams. Describe why you chose Capella and an online learning method. In 2003, I chose Capella after careful deliberation. I am convinced it was the right decision then. Just as I feel it is the right choice now. Capella’s accreditation sets it apart from other online universities and colleges. Capella’s outstanding accreditation and the universal acceptance of their degrees are the two main reasons I chosen and stayed with Capella. The quality of the curriculum is excellent. The expertise and dedication of the instructors, plus the support of the administration staff makes Capella the right choice. I have had great success since earning my Masters from Capella. I am convinced I will have more success as a PhD graduate from Capella. I have witnessed many upgrades and improvements with the Capella’s online classroom, which reflects positively on the university’s dedication to providing the best online learning environment for their students. I chose an online learning method for several reasons. As a working professional, online learning allows me to update my skills without interrupting my career or personal life. Asynchronous learning allows me the flexibility to study and learn when I am most productive, allowing me to schedule classes tailored to my individual needs. As quickly as I update my skill set, I am able to apply what I have learned at work. As a working professional, online learning gives me opportunities that I could not achieve by attending a traditional campus. With online asynchronous, learning I am not bound by the normal constraints of time or space. Capella is the right choice for my life. Read More