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Statement of Purpose Draft 1

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Golam Moula Bhuiyan
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52 views3 pages

Statement of Purpose Draft 1

Uploaded by

Golam Moula Bhuiyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Statement of Purpose

Community Psychology, M.A. – Program Development Concentration


University of New Haven

I am applying to the M.A. in Community Psychology at the University of New Haven with the
goal of combining my educational foundation, research experience, and media skills to design
impactful programs that support the mental health and overall well-being of marginalized
communities. The Community Psychology program’s commitment to social justice, practical
applications of research, and community empowerment strongly resonates with my aspirations.
Having worked extensively in educational research and the media industry, I am particularly
drawn to the Program Development Concentration. The University of New Haven’s emphasis on
innovative approaches to treatment and prevention, combined with its rigorous curriculum,
makes it an ideal place for me to advance my career in community-based program
development. Through this program, I aim to refine my skills in community-focused research
methods and program design, ultimately equipping myself to contribute meaningfully to
culturally relevant initiatives addressing mental health and social development in Bangladesh,
South Asia, and beyond.

My academic background in Anthropology forms the cornerstone of my research skills and my


interest in community-based work. In 2019, I completed a Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in
Anthropology at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), graduating with a CGPA of 3.22 out
of 4.00. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to investigate complex social
dynamics, develop cultural sensitivity, and learn to approach societal issues from a nuanced
perspective. My undergraduate thesis, titled “Antisemitism in Bangladesh: An Ethnographic
Study on Gross Hate Culture,” was an in-depth exploration of how prejudice and social hostility
manifest and are sustained within communities. The study provided me with firsthand
experience in ethnographic methods and a solid foundation in qualitative research techniques.
By conducting fieldwork and gathering data to understand cultural and identity-based tensions, I
was able to explore how anthropological research can serve as a tool for social awareness and
empathy. This experience is directly relevant to the PSYC 6609 - Research Methods course in
the Community Psychology program, which will allow me to deepen my research skills while
expanding my understanding of community-based data analysis. In addition to my academic
achievements, I recently achieved an IELTS score of 7.0, with no individual section below 6.5.
This demonstrates my proficiency in English, ensuring my success in participating in rigorous
coursework and collaborative research projects within an English-speaking academic
environment.

Following graduation, I pursued opportunities to put my academic training to use in real-world


settings, which ultimately led me to a role as a Field Research Assistant at the BRAC Institute of
Educational Development (BIED), where I worked from December 2019 to July 2023. This
position provided invaluable hands-on experience in qualitative research and community
engagement, as I was involved in multiple studies focusing on adolescent mental health,
play-based learning, and family well-being. My work required me to engage with diverse
community members, gather qualitative data, and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary
teams. For instance, one project focused on play-based learning in early childhood, studying
how interactive, play-centered approaches positively impact children’s social-emotional
development. Another study examined adolescent mental health, investigating factors that
influence well-being and mental health outcomes in youth, especially within resource-limited
settings. This experience underscored for me the critical importance of culturally sensitive and
community-driven approaches to mental health and education, as well as the immense value of
qualitative research in understanding the subtleties of social issues. My experience at BRAC
IED refined my skills in conducting qualitative research, particularly through interviews, focus
groups, and participant observation, which are crucial components of the PSYC 6608 -
Statistics for Psychological Science and PSYC 6610 - Program Evaluation courses in the
program.

In addition to my professional work at BIED, I also developed an independent research project


that explored “Parents’ Perceptions of Children’s Use of Technical Devices,” an issue that is
becoming increasingly relevant as digital technology becomes more prevalent in early
childhood. This independent study, which was separate from my work with BIED, involved
interviewing parents from various socioeconomic backgrounds to understand how they perceive
the benefits and risks associated with their children’s engagement with digital devices. I was
particularly interested in examining the social and psychological dimensions of children’s digital
engagement, especially given the mental health implications and potential impact on early
childhood development. By exploring parents’ perspectives across different socioeconomic
contexts, I aimed to uncover patterns in attitudes and behaviors that could inform culturally
relevant strategies for guiding safe and healthy technology use among young children. This
study has reinforced my commitment to child development and mental health research, and I
am enthusiastic about the opportunity to expand on this work through courses offered in
Community Psychology, M.A., Program Development Concentration. I am particularly excited
about the opportunity to choose electives such as PADM 6637 - Grant Writing in the Public
and Nonprofit Sectors and PADM 6666 - Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit
Organizations, as these will provide me with the practical skills necessary for securing funding
and strategically planning impactful programs. My academic background in anthropology,
coupled with my professional experience in educational research, has deeply influenced my
interest in community-based program development. I am extremely interested to the PSYC
6619 - Organizational Behavior course, which will enhance my understanding of leadership
and organizational dynamics in community settings. In addition, the ability to design, evaluate,
and implement innovative programs for diverse populations is a key aspect of the Program
Development Concentration.

In addition to my academic and research background, I bring unique skills from my experience
in media production, which I believe will enhance my ability to communicate and advocate for
social issues in a compelling and accessible manner. Over the past two years, I have worked in
the media industry, participating in several social campaigns and television projects aimed at
raising awareness on a range of social and political topics. These experiences taught me the
importance of visual storytelling and how to effectively communicate complex social messages
to a wide audience. Media production has given me a valuable skill set that I am eager to
incorporate into my work as a community psychologist. I am particularly drawn to the Program
Development concentration’s courses like Program Development in Community Settings and
Community Intervention and Change, which will enable me to design and implement multimedia
campaigns and intervention programs that promote mental health, social awareness, and
community empowerment. By combining my media expertise with the principles of community
psychology, I hope to create programs that resonate with diverse communities and foster
greater understanding and support for social issues.
Looking to the future, my ultimate goal is to work as a community psychologist, researcher, and
advocate, developing and implementing programs that support mental health and social
development in underserved communities. I am particularly interested in working with
communities in Bangladesh and South Asia, where there is a growing need for culturally
relevant mental health initiatives that take into account the unique social, economic, and cultural
factors that influence mental wellbeing. The opportunity to study at the University of New Haven
is a crucial step in my journey toward becoming a leader in program development within
community psychology. The diverse and comprehensive curriculum, coupled with a hands-on
approach to learning, will allow me to refine my skills in program planning, development, and
evaluation. Courses such as PSYC 6610 - Program Evaluation will equip me with the tools to
assess and improve existing programs, ensuring they meet the needs of underserved
communities. Additionally, the PSYC 6614 - Intervention Fieldwork and Seminar course will
provide invaluable experience in the practical application of theory, helping me build
interventions that address complex social issues in real-world settings.

In summary, my academic background in Anthropology, my hands-on research experience, and


my skills in media production have prepared me to contribute effectively to the University of New
Haven’s Community Psychology program. I am eager to contribute my experience in qualitative
research, program evaluation, and community-based interventions while gaining new
knowledge and tools to enhance my future career in the field. My long-term goal is to use my
training to develop programs that address critical social issues such as children's mental health,
digital literacy, and community empowerment in both local and global contexts. I am confident
that the University of New Haven will provide the ideal platform for me to pursue this vision.

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