(Auto) Biography

Guiding Questions

• Where are you from?

• Why are you interested in a career in public service?

• Did you work or serve in the military before coming to the Bush School?

• Why are you studying at the Bush School?

• What do you like most about your degree program?

• What do you like to do in your free time?

• What kind of learner are you? See Fedler's Learning Styles

• What personality type are you? See Meyers-Briggs categories

  • How would you describe your personality?

• What are your strengths? See StrengthsQuest

• What else would you like the reader to know about you?

Consider using multimedia

The Biography section is a good place to include photos, videos, or graphics that communicate something unique about you. As with any video, photo, or other file you include, choose artifacts that represent you well. Provide a caption for each to tell the viewer what he/she is about to see. See Design & Visuals for more information. Multimedia presentations such as videos would be an effective way to demonstrate your oral communication skills while introducing your biography. See sample introductory video created by a senior computer science major in the honors college at the University of Houston.

Consult additional resources

The following resources will help you learn different ways to develop you biography.

• How to answer "Tell me about a time when . . . ." interview questions

• 6 Examples of the Best Professional Bios We've Ever Seen (HubSpot)

• How to Write a Fun Bio

Remember that a frequent interview question includes "tell me about yourself." Creating a clear, well-organized biography will prepare you to answer this question during the interview. See "Tell Me About Yourself" interview tips.

Develop your essay around a central idea

As with other reflections, this reflection needs a clear focus. Avoid simply answering all of the guiding questions without asking, "so what?" What are the 2-3 central points you want to make? What are the reflection "takeaways"? After answering the guiding questions, identify common themes. Develop your biography around these themes. Thus, if you have 3 minutes to "tell me about yourself," what would be the most important points you want someone to know about you? Identify those points and develop your essay to make your case. Use details (i.e., stories, photos or other graphics, explanations, quotes, etc.) to develop each point. Remember, the biography is not a hodgepodge of facts about you, but a well-constructed essay communicating the essence of who you are.

Tips

• 1. Write your biography in another language to demonstrate your written second language proficiency skills.

  2. Create a video of your biography telling your story (you could also record the video in your second language to show oral proficiency).

  3. Develop your biography as a letter to a younger you. What would you say to your younger self based upon what you have learned and what you find most valuable for someone else to know?

  4. Make a video slideshow that highlights a particular theme or message you wish to communicate. Video slideshow software such as Animoto provides free 30-second slideshows (and longer with an upgrade).

  5. Use the peer review worksheet (attached) to check your work.