Job Interests

The following list consists of a few opportunities that I have been considering over the past couple of months.  A couple are realistic for the immediate future and the others are more of long- term goals.

To reiterate, I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Chemistry.  It is my desire to attend graduate school and maintain a Ph.D in Virology or Microbiology/ Immunology.  I would like to do AIDS research and perhaps one day work in a renowned lab in the United States with other scientists.

*1.  Summer Internship for this summer or next summer that several MS college students have participated with over the past few years.  It is a paid, ten- week position working with NASA or other well- known institutions doing work related to one's major.
     http://ms.spacegrant.org/index.php?page=wfd-intern-program

*2.  Undergraduate Research with a (biology) professor.  This is something that I hope to do beginning in the Fall semester.  I am looking for a professor that is currently doing research in something related to what I am studying and potentially doing research for him.  This will give me experience as well as something to put on a resume.

*3.  Graduate Program:  This school is in North Carolina.  They offer a Ph.D program that allows study and direct work with an AIDS center that is in collaboration with the university.  I find this school to be particularly interesting due to its credibility as a university as well as its impressive credentials offered to doctoral students.  The location is also something I admire; the state of North Carolina is beautiful and I have wanted to live in that general location for a long time.
     http://www.med.unc.edu/microimm

*4.  Center for Disease Control- Atlanta.  This is a component of the federal government that is responsible for the research, vaccination of, and prevention of major diseases within the United States as well as being familiar with deadly viruses and pathogens that exist in the world.  Top scientists work for the  CDC and are responsible for immediate action when the situation presents itself in a national crisis.  There are also many international positions offered by the CDC.
     http://www.cdc.gov/employment/

The qualifications for these four options are generally the same: an impressive resume, proven interest in the field and study of Microbiology, proven academic ability to handle the course work and research, as well as dedication to the demands of time that go along with it.  For school and jobs, recommendation letters from esteemed professors/ professionals who know you are necessary.

Considering that I have just recently changed my major this semester, my list of qualifications for these four goals is rather slim.  Last summer I participated at an overnight summer- camp that is held for children suffering from cancer and their siblings.  I served on the medical staff and assisted the nurses with their jobs.
This Spring semester I have also had the opportunity to assist with science fairs at USM.  This week I am judging the elementary division.
Lately I have been getting to know my Biology professor on a personal level.  We have spoken on several occasions about personal interests and my career goals.  She was kind enough to write a recommendation letter for me earlier in the semester when I was applying for scholarships.  It is important for me to maintain such personal relationships with my professors in the future so that not only will they be willing to write letters for me, but that the recommendations will be personal with genuine desire for my acceptance into the school or job position.

It is important that I make as high of a gpa as possible from here on out.  My grades are an essential requirement into graduate programs, especially ones of higher caliber with the best resources and faculty.  My dream to do AIDS research will only benefit from being well rounded in academics as well as maintaining an undergraduate job or research opportunity with my professors.  These are things that I will highlight in my cover letter and resume.

In the closest foreseeable future, I would especially like to apply to UNC's doctoral program to study Microbiology and Immunology.  I would go about writing a cover letter and resume to show my qualifications as well as why I am well suited for the program.  I would explain why the school would benefit from having me as a successful student in their program.