PERSONAL STATEMENT







        My decision to apply to the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Internship Program, was influenced by my decision to increase my participation as an African American in every level in the formulation and implementation of 

polices and programs of American higher education.  This is not the only thing that has 

influenced my decision in applying for this internship or any others.  Basically their are 

three reasons Ithink I should apply:  1.) The benefits which I will receive; 2.) The chance 

to develop a strong professional network; 3.) The experience that I would have gained 

over my peers.

        By participating in this internship I will be able to benefit in addition 

to a great travel opportunity.  I feel that this experience will give me support and 

encouragement which will enable me to build my self-esteem, and also give me a desire to increase my 

knowledge to understand the importance, and the value your internship will give me.  

Also, I will have the chance to engage in meaningful dialogue, learning experiences, and 

interactions with both professional and higher education officials.  I will experience enhanced 

campus-based learning experiences.  I feel this internship will help me be able to 

thrive, and the experiencewill far exceed my expectations.  This opportunity will  help me to continue 

to grow and expand my knowledge and the hands on experience will give me the ability to 

assist individuals in need and help them reach their highest potential.

        Professional networking is an important benefit.  Since my network is 

limited and mostly local, this opportunity will help me to expand my network away from 

home.  By my participation I will be around high officials and professionals who could 

train and mentor me through the internship.  I am sure that I will come in contact 

with many expressive, intelligent, and important people who will be a valuable asset 

to my professional network.

        The experience I will have over my peers will probably benefit me the most. 

The first advantage I would have is being able to adapt to life faraway from 

home.  At this particular time my goal is to move closer in the academic area of physics.  

I would like to have the opportunity to go into the classroom to share with those students 

who will be going to work as future physicist or researchers.  I would like to teach young 

aspiring researchers to go into the field of science and know the basic philosophy of being good 

researchers; to know the gratification and satisfaction that comes from research, and the 

opportunity to change and make a difference in the lives of people they will serve.  Also, 

I will have already had the experience of working for an important company, program or rather 

organization, and I will have learned teamwork, and the basics and ethics for working to 

better the program as well as myself.  This experience would be a great achievement and 

experience I could include on my resume, which would look outstanding.  I feel that this 

opportunity will be a rewarding one; as I would like to continue and enhance my knowledge my 

knowledge by participation in the program.

         With this experience I have and with my participation as an intern I would 

be able to teach and bring to others not only the philosophy and the theories, but the 

real practical experiences that come only with working in this field or within  my major.  

I am very much aware that this opportunity will enable me to have the greatest amount of 

respect and influence as far as my education is concerned.  I realize the need to 

further my education in order that I could become a self-suffcient individual, and some day a 

supporting parent, as well as a role model for children.  my mother told me , “I want my children 

to go to school and achieve all that they could to help them avoid the pitfalls of being in 

poverty the rest of their lives.  To make her happy and proud of me I will achieve and learn all 

that I can to keep me from being in the pitfalls of poverty.

        If I am given the opportunity to participant in you program, I will make 

every effort to prove worthy of the opportunity.  I will make sure that I bring to the 

program the skills that will be beneficial to me , my team, and perhaps my mentors as far as my 

knowledge and experience; though they are limited knowing my limited background. I feel 

this internship will provide and invaluable work experience as well as an unforgettable 

experience, and I feel that it would help me to mature professionally as well as personally.  

Also, I can bring new insight, new knowledge, and new wisdom into my university as a student.  

Ultimately, this opportunity will help me better myself as a role model, student, and a 

guide for future student researchers.  It would be a great honor to work with the Oak Ridge 

Institute for Science and Education Internship Program, and a great summer experience for 

me.