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My Career Goals

When I was a child, I was dreaming of becoming a teacher loved by her students. Fortunately, I had the chance to realize my dream. After teaching English to kindergarten and primary school kids for four years, I transferred to higher education and taught academic English to young adults at one of the prestigious public universities in Turkey between 2012-2016. When I started teaching at the university level, academia seemed so intriguing to me and I got another dream: Being a professor! With this goal in my mind, I applied for Educational Technology M.A. program at Bogazici University in 2014 and graduated in 2016. 

 

I still pursue my goal here at UGA. After my graduation from Learning, Design, and Technology program, I would like to contribute to the field as a professor working at a research university. Under the requirements of my Fulbright J1 visa, I will have to go back to Turkey when I finish my doctoral study. As for Turkey, I have a specific plan: Being a professor in the department of Computer Education and Educational Technology at the university which I graduated from!

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If I am able to waive that visa requirement, the positions that meet my career goals and I see myself eligible for are below:

Post-docs in Technology and Learning  (University of Pittsburgh, Learning Research & Development Center)

Description:

The University of Pittsburgh seeks exceptional candidates for 2-year post-doctoral appointments jointly in the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) and the University Center for Teaching and Learning. The persons filling these positions will work with LRDC faculty and Teaching Center staff on cutting-edge research on college student learning in both technology-enhanced and traditional classrooms, as well as on-line instruction. A wide range of projects is possible: instructional design and innovation, learning analytics, educational data mining, automatic essay scoring, educational gaming, the social context of web-based learning are examples among many possibilities.[Job Posting]

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This job would give me the opportunity of  gaining more research experience in instructional design. Moreover, I would be able to work with faculty members and gain valuable experience in higher education level.  Following this two-year appointment, I would be closer to realize my goal: Becoming a professor at a research university. Upon my graduation, I will be qualified for this position by meeting the following qualifications:

• Candidates should have expertise related to learning and education and experience in the use of technology in education.

• Backgrounds in instructional design, cognitive psychology, discipline-based science education research, data mining, educational technology, and AI, among others, are appropriate.

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Assistant Teaching Professor in Instructional Design and Technology (University of Missouri, Kansas City)

Description:

Position responsibilities include: a) teaching online graduate certificate courses in the field of Instructional Design and Technology; b) partnering with education and business organizations to meet the changing needs of pre k­12 educators,   instructional  designers,  and  corporate  trainers'  use  and  design/application  of  technology; c)  collaborating with SOE   departments,  academic  centers,  and  researchers  to  increase  technological  knowledge  of  community  leaders; d) increasing  digital  literacy  rates  among  our  educational  and industry  partners; and  e) coordinating the program's online stakeholder advisory committee. [Job Posting]

 

This position would give me the chance to put the theories I have learnt into practice, especially in distance education. Moreover, I would be able to collaborate with different parties to design the instruction needed and teach online courses at higher education level. Upon my graduation, I will be qualified for this position by meeting the following qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Instructional Design & Technology, Educational Administration or related field

• Knowledge of adult learning theory and 21st century skills for pre­-K12 learners.

• Experience in developing and delivering online courses in educational/training settings.

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Assistant Professor of Education (Columbia College, Columbia, MO)

Description:

Successful candidates will teach introductory and advanced courses in teacher education at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including but not limited to reading, language acquisition, classroom management, and teaching techniques. Supervision of students in field experience is also possible.  [Job Posting]

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This position would be a good fit for my current research interests and goals. I would be able to both teach in higher education level and supervise student teachers in field experience. Upon my graduation, I will be qualified for this position by meeting the following qualifications:

• PhD in Education or closely related area with a background in literacy or early childhood education.

• Ideal candidates will have an interest in development of new programs and in exploring innovative methods for teaching and learning.

 

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