PHS review

[CHOCTICK]

I am applying to the Master's program at the University of California, Davis. I am switching academic fields--B.A. math to M.S. engineering. Their application packet requires two parts: Statement of Purpose(what I have done to prepare for grad school, research interest, career goals, etc...) and the Personal History Statement.

The prompt for the Personal History Statement is:

In an essay, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include any educational, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.

My early academic career was remarkable only in how it was characterized by one grade retention, suspensions, and an expulsion—I graduated high school with a 1.8 GPA. It was from this perspective I went into teaching—who better to teach at risk students than a former at risk student? My actual class room experiences exposed my naiveté and revealed a truth: African American youth do not have many role models. As an African American engineer, I hope to positively influence youth and expose them to career possibilities in the sciences and fields of technology. The acute shortage of minorities within the engineering profession is well known and, considering future shifts within the ethnic make-up of our society, poses a real threat to the integrity of our infrastructure. Eventually I hope to return back to the classroom with more experiences and applications of math that will foster teachable moments.

My military service has provided challenges and opportunities. The events of September 11, 2001 necessitated my having to leave college and deploy to Iraq. My immediate response was one of trepidation at the prospect of having to reacquire the work ethic required of a student and the momentum that comes with steady progress; however, this feeling soon abated. Instead of atrophying my resolve to complete my education, my military service renewed my sense of urgency by giving me less time to complete my degree by the ideal age I arbitrarily chose. And, as a result of improved veteran’s educational benefits my service entitles me to, I am now able to pursue graduate studies with minimal extrinsic monetary support.

My experiences in the military strongly influence my desire to study structural engineering. Having served in Iraq with soldiers who lost their lives to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), I want to contribute to the design of vehicles and protective gear that can better withstand the forces generated by these devices. Considering present threats and the associated future of counterinsurgency warfare, we will doubtlessly find ourselves in environs where IEDs will be the weapon of choice. The knowledge gained from an advanced degree in structural engineering will allow me to bring sound research and engineering practices to bear on an issue that will be with us for the foreseeable future.

Lately, it seems there has been an earthquake somewhere in the world every month. Considering the seismic predictions for the continental United States and abroad, there will be many opportunities to contribute to the design of inexpensive survivable structures in economically disadvantaged areas. I look forward to volunteering my time with organizations such as Engineers without borders or taking assignments to Iraq or Afghanistan with the Army Corp of Engineers. My familiarity with the region coupled with an advanced structural engineering degree would allow me to effect social changes that would be appreciated for generations.

MBS7107

Edited May 26, 2010 by CHOCTICK