Jermaine Dory

A personal statement including career plans, prior research experience

Being an African American man, knowledge is not only vital to the success of my future, but also an essential tool into gaining success in todays society. Possessing the competence to perform is something that cannot be taken for granted however acquiring these skills is only secured by ones desire to know more about the world in which we inhabit. Experience is vital to my future goals and aspirations for the years to come. By furthering my education this leads me towards a path of successful growth and development in not only my future academics, research career, and chosen profession but, also the internship opportunities, and hands-on experiences that I encounter along the way. As far back as I can remember math has been of high interest to me. It has motivated to me move forward with my academics and pursue higher education. Through my grade school years and even today I find math to be an enjoyable field of study with great success towards my future. When I began my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to be exposed to a full range of engineering courses, all of which tended to reinforce and solidify my intense interest in engineering. Majoring in electrical engineering is a path that I never fathomed traveling, yet now I find myself on route to seeking a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. As a future educator, I fancy the notion of sharing my knowledge with those eager to learn, Engineering is what I have to offer to society and I am a strong advocate of the subject, more than anything I want for people to think of engineering as something enjoyable and not a burden upon their lives I want to share with them what I enjoy so much. While enrolled in Norfolk State University I have been extended countless opportunities to grow as a professional individual. For a semester now I have been a student member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) Through its workshops/seminars and publications like the 'The Spectrum' it has exposed me to a lot of emerging technologies in the field of communications. Also I am a member of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) for the past semester now, and they have exposed me to a world of engineering that will shape the way for my future. Invitations to conferences such as NSBE, trips to NASA, and internships have also been provided within my time at the University. During the summer of 2010 I had the privilege of participating in Undergraduate Research Experience at the University of Arkansas George Washington Carver Program. While there work on several projects including solar panel projects and the construction of other semipermanent SMART grid demonstration models for the Fayetteville Public Library and National

Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT). The Solar Panel Demonstration Unit (S.P.U.D.) is an educational teaching aid constructed to teach K-12 students and the general public about the benefits of installing and utilizing SMART technologies in homes and work spaces. Spending hours in the laboratory is not something that I dread, but instead I take pride in my work and its successful completion. One example of this that is still fresh in my mind is the successful design of a fully functional Solar Panel Demonstration Unit. All told, the project took over 150 hours of me and my mentors time. Despite all the time it took, I did not look on the task as a drain, but more so as an experience for learning and a focus for my professional and technical development. When we finished the project we felt the sense of worth and pride in completing a task that was once above our level of knowledge. As a part of an academic year research team at NSU I am currently working on implementing a Digital Learning Network (DLN) based the working with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) At the conclusion of the teams project participants will review results of faculty and student research projects to identify sources used in the mathematics preparation of children at the third grade level. Corresponding educational lessons will then be produced, which incorporates mathematical concepts from the data collected. Thus, this project is designed to build on the curiosity and enthusiasm of children as it relates to the study of Electrical Engineering. Appropriate engineering experiences will be designed to challenge young children to explore ideas related to circuits, devices, systems, measurement, mathematical connections, computer programming, and numerical operations. As a selected intern of the 2011 NSF Research for Undergraduates at the University of Missouri-Columbia is where I envision myself. As the nations initiative to prepare more students for professions in science, technology, engineering, and NSF Research for Undergraduates at the University of Missouri-Columbia provides deserving individuals opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in select career paths. With the anticipation of acquiring new skills and addition to my research the experience is fully beneficial to my professional growth, and the gaining of a more comprehensive understanding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Not only as a student, but also a future engineer, the NSF Research for Undergraduates at the University of Missouri-Columbia has the ability to shape and mold me into a successful young man.