Goals statement and personal objectives

Goals Statement couldn't believe my eyes. After all the wrapping paper lie strewn on the floor, I held in my hands the best present I had ever received. It wasn't a Game Boy or a new CD: it was a book called "Chemistry for Kids," and it came with a small lab set. I wasted no time, and immediately set out to perform my first experiments. I felt high as I gathered ordinary household items and watched them change into new forms of matter. My very first experiment was a success, and a practical one, too: I made my very own toothpaste. No many people can say they made toothpaste when they were ten years old, yet with the help of a simple chemistry set and a few materials I found around the house, I experienced newfound joy in my daily ablutions before school.

My homemade toothpaste became a great source of pride for me, and reflects my lifelong passion for chemistry. I don't really know where this passion comes from, as no one else in my family is near being a chemist. As the youngest member of my family, I watched my siblings graduate from university and succeed in their careers due in large part to my mother's support. It's my turn to head to graduate school now, although I have already given my mom reason to be proud of me. Since that fateful day when I made my own toothpaste, I have received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in chemistry, conducted post-graduate research at Beta International, and later became a working member of their research and development team. However, I moved from Egypt to the United States in the year 2000, and had considerable trouble finding work in my chosen field. Through a friend, I secured a good job with a company that supplied chemicals and other lab materials for industrial and academic use, but as a consultant and assistant manager, not as a scientist as I had hoped. Therefore, I am now applying to George Mason University's (NAME OF DEPARTMENT HERE) so I can build on the already solid foundation I have in the field of chemistry.

Since I have lived in the U.S., I have researched post-graduate institutions in order to discover which schools would best suit my needs and desires as a student. I also want to find a university whose staff inspires me and with whom I fit in. Having learned that George Mason is one the largest universities in the Washington area, I visited the Fairfax Campus to see what kind of resources the school offered and to determine the specialty interests of the faculty. While there, I met Dr. Hussam, who strongly encouraged me to apply after hearing about my prior work and research.

While at Beta International, I performed experiments that were uncannily similar to the one that had sparked my interest in chemistry in the first place: I worked mainly with oils, soapstock, and glycerin materials. While I was a researcher, I learned how to recycle and reuse soapstock for a wide range of functions including foods, pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition, and other soaps. Recycling an industry by-product like this gave me cause to appreciate chemistry's application to environmental science as well as the business sector, as we hoped to both eliminate waste and help companies save money by recycling and reusing materials. The role of the chemist is essential in both these areas, and there will always be new opportunities to discover ways to positively impact the environment as well as the human population.

While I am still interested in working with oils, I am applying to the Master's program in the hopes of expanding my research capabilities somewhat. Because of the relevance of my past experience to environmental science, I intend to investigate further possibilities for waste management in the industrial sector. My interests also include the use of biofuels, and I am particularly interested in participating in environmental analyses.

While working in research and development at Beta International, I had the chance to make a bit of history. Our team set up the first glycerin unit created by 100% Sudanese labor and materials. Responsible for all glycerin analysis during the operation as well as lab management and technical writing, I feel I made an impact on the world through science. Moreover, my undergraduate research related directly to human health and nutrition: I investigated the maximum potential utilization of oil seeds for human nutritive purposes. In fact, this project introduced me to the job possibilities in the soap and oil industry, which is why I ended up with Beta International. I also learned that I crave not only the knowledge that comes from empirical lab research but also the rewards that arise from effective human communications. I would therefore like to investigate future possibilities as a chemistry consultant or related areas in which I can help businesses improve their output. This would also open up possibilities for me to help improve the environment and human health.