Eric Roberson applies to the Master's of Science in Professional Writing and Technical Communication program at the University of Houston - Downtown. He provides five compelling reasons for acceptance: 1) Education is a lifelong commitment and he wants to earn a master's degree within four years while working full-time. 2) A master's degree will help distinguish him from his peers in both his career and admission to the program. 3) He wants to find a fulfilling career that he loves. 4) He wants to broaden his skills to earn more money. 5) He ultimately aims to earn a PhD and possibly return to UHD as faculty, having everyone refer to him as "Dr. Roberson."

1. Eric J. Roberson
P.O. Box 66807
Houston, TX 77266-6807
Phone: (713) 397-6755
November 15, 2009
Office of Graduate Admissions
One Main Street Ste 325-N
Houston, TX 77002-1001
RE: M.S. in Professional Writing and Technical Communication; Personal Statement
Dear Graduate Admissions Review Committee:
The notorious Quentin Crisp once said, “An autobiography is an obituary in serial form with the
last installment missing.” Rather than taking the audience on a cathartic journey through
eloquent prose listing all the great things I have accomplished in my life – thereby moving
myself one installment closer to an obituary – I will focus on why graduate school is in my top
ten things to accomplish before I die. I present to you these five compelling reasons why I
would like to earn a Master’s of Science in Professional Writing and Technical Communication
(MSPWTC) at the University of Houston – Downtown (UHD).
Reason Number One: Education is a lifelong commitment.
As a lifelong learner, a master’s degree is part of my long term learning plan that I would like to
accomplish within four years. I have managed to balance both fulltime academic and
professional careers together since beginning college. Realistically, graduate school will require
an andante pace; nonetheless, I am confident that I will continue to maintain my sang-froid while
working full-time and studying at UHD.
Eleven months ago, someone in the department fortuitously asked “Will you be back for grad
school after your B.S.?” That someone was Ms. Barbara Canetti, who inspired me to begin
thinking about my future educational goals. I emphatically said “Yes!” I hope that you will say
yes, too.
Every day, I strive to learn something new. I do my best to keep an open mind and welcome
new opportunities to expand my knowledge. As an information technology (IT) professional, I
assure you that learning and adapting to emerging technologies are keys to success in the
industry. As a Fall 2009 graduate from UHD in Professional Writing, I am experiencing a
transition in my career moving from an IT professional to a liaison of sorts between the IT and
business communities. A MSPWTC will help me continue the transition by becoming more
flexible and proficient with different genres as a professional writer.

2. Eric J. Roberson – Personal Statement Page 2
Reason Number Two: A master’s degree will help distinguish me from my peers.
Earning my master’s degree will offer better job security and distinguish me from my
competitors. My peers are not only the people who sit next to me at the office in Houston, but
they are also the people who sit next to me in the classroom at UHD and elsewhere. I am
competing with people overseas for IT jobs in the global marketplace, and now for admission
into the MSPWTC program with students holding Bachelor’s degrees from other universities
around the world. I have watched as tech writing jobs in the IT industry have been exported to
cities such as Dublin and Sydney. Houston belongs on the list of top international cities, and
after graduation I will commit myself to helping Houston maintain our presence as an
international competitor in the global marketplace. I humbly ask that you fill the next vacancy in
the MSPWTC program with my name. Since Houston has been my home for 15 years and will
continue to be for the foreseeable future, an investment in me is an investment in Houston as an
international city and in our local community.
Reason Number Three: I would like to find a job I love.
I would like to find a job I love so that I will never have to work another day for the rest of my
life. Surely, I will have the potential for a higher income with a Master’s degree; however, it is
not all about the money. The philosopher Thomas Aquinas relied on Kantian ethics to describe
our human relationship to occupational fulfillment. He said “To live well is to work well, to
show a good activity.” It will be a good activity for me to continue studying at UHD for my
Master’s degree because I am familiar with the campus, I have formed strong partnerships with
countless faculty members, and of course I want to “live well” like Saint Thomas. While
studying for my Bachelor’s of Science in Professional Writing (BSPW) degree at UHD, I have
come to know faculty members whose hearts are at UHD and in what they do. Part of living
well for me includes surrounding myself with people who, like my professors, are as passionate
as I am about writing. I want a career that pays well, but the kind you feel is like recreation and
“fun” rather than “work.” I love professional writing, but more importantly writing is a social
process that is never a dull or laborious chore for me. Please consider me for the program
because I love writing, and I want to love what I do for a living so that I never have to “work”
again another day for the rest of my life.
Reason Number Four: I want to earn more money.
I want to broaden my skills so that I can earn more money. The truth is I anticipate a financial
return on my intellectual investment so that I can accomplish reason number five below.
While pursuing my BSPW, I have demonstrated superior knowledge of the following:
 Collaborating successfully on projects with my peers
 Conducting and evaluating scholarly research
 Displaying problem-solving skills as revealed in writing, editing, and document design
and production
 Exhibiting excellent verbal and written communication skills

3. Eric J. Roberson – Personal Statement Page 3
I would like to master (pun intended) the above skills and acquire new ones, thereby becoming
more marketable and adding to my repertoire of writing samples for my professional portfolio. I
have worked diligently to maintain a 4.0 grade point average at UHD for my BSPW, and I
pledge to you the same excellence in the MSPWTC program.
Reason Number Five: Everyone will have to call me doctor one day.
I have already explained that I am committed to lifelong learning. Once I earn a MSPWTC
degree, I will not wait for Ms. Cannetti to inspire me to continue my education toward a
doctorate. Who knows? After earning my Ph.D., I may return to UHD as a faculty member –
then you will have to call me doctor, too.
In sum, a MSPWTC degree will be a valuable addition to my résumé and an investment in
Houston’s future. Along with my lifelong commitment to learning, the program will help
distinguish me from my peers, provide me with job security, and earn me more money. I would
be proud to be known as “Dr. Roberson” in the future; however, I need your help to get there.
Please approve my application for graduate school first, so that I can begin studying for my
Master’s of Science in 2010, then I will begin searching for a Ph.D. program in 2013. Perhaps
one day I can come back to work for you at UHD. (Please anticipate my application for
employment on or about December 20, 2017, after I graduate with my Ph.D.)
I hope the committee has enjoyed the creative approach I have used. As convivial as I have been
with all of you, the opportunity to attend graduate school at UHD is a serious endeavor that will
require time, dedication, and perseverance. I would be honored if accepted into the MSPWTC
program and to continue studying at UHD. I am ready to put forth the effort and to check off
one of my top ten things to accomplish in life.
If I may answer any questions or concerns about my application’s contents, please contact me at
(713) 397-6755.
Sincerely yours,
Eric J. Roberson
Enclosures
P.S. I chose to write my personal statement in business letter format to demonstrate my
competency with document design. If you accept me into the MSPWTC program today, I will
register for classes tomorrow.