Professional Statement

Hello! My name is Te Airra Brown and I am from Portsmouth, Virginia. What does the future hold for me? Every person asks this question at some stage of his or her life. As a Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) scholar and sophomore in college, I am pondering this question with much intensity. Preparation for my chosen career plan began with an early commitment to academic excellence. I understand that African Americans currently make up only 3.5 percent of the computer science engineering profession. According to the National Science Foundation, women occupy an even smaller percentage, which is only 1.5 percent. Due to the lack of minorities in this field, many people tend to underestimate their ability to be productive and to perform particular tasks. This void within this profession, along with my passion for math and science, is my motivation for gravitating towards engineering as my future career. As an African American woman myself, I would like to participate in the movement towards changing these statistics. I am going to take the initiative and assure those coming up after me that a profession is obtainable and within their reach.

I love science and mathematics and excel in both. When I first entered school, science and mathematics quickly became my favored subjects. I enjoy the logic and precision of laboratory work and find enjoyment with the experimental design process. I participated in the Children’s College, Upward Bound Program, Saturday Scientists Program, and the Health and Science Summer Academy. As a product of the Portsmouth Public Schools Gifted and Talented Programs, I have prepared myself for a journey through the most challenging academic curriculum available to me. I have taken a suite of honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses (NSU and TCC). This college prep course of study has been designed to help me to develop strong study and time management skills.

Being a part of the DNIMAS program and its rigorous curriculum and high scholastic requirements has equipped me to take on any challenges that may accompany any research experience. It has also taught me good communication and leadership skills, creativity, and motivation. While at Elizabeth City State University’s Undergraduate Research Experience in Ocean, Marine and Polar Science, I learned new computer programs such as Macintosh OS X, Adobe Dreamweaver, Linux, Adobe Photoshop, and HTML. This summer I will be participating in a research project titled, “Establishing a Baseline of Water Quality along the Coast of Northeastern North Carolina in Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill”.

The bridge between technology and the real world has always sparked an interest in me. I would like to experience how the information I learn in the classroom correlates and can be applied in a practical, and professional atmosphere. I believe the relationship between people and their environment should be valued. Making sure both people and the environment stay safe is a passion of mine.

I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in computer engineering and desire to work for major corporations as a scientist. I look forward to solving problems that affect our society by applying theories and principles of science and mathematics. My long-term goal is to work with the Curriculum Improvements Partnership for the Integration of Research. This program assists two and four year minority institutions with strengthening their science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. Working with the program will allow me to give back to the community that has served me. This program will function as the first steps on my ladder to expedite my dream of using my love of math and science to help make the world safer through technological advancements.