My New Year’s resolution for 2016 is to banish doubt. by Catherine

My New Year’s resolution for 2016 is to banish doubt. by Catherine - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

My New Year’s resolution for 2016 is to banish doubt. This may seem an arbitrary or unproductive choice, however, it’s something that can truly hold back a person from achieving what they hope to in their careers. For me, how I spend the next two years of my life will determine the rest of my life. Graduate school is the necessary stepping-stone to becoming an environmental analyst and the training I receive will be instrumental in my future career path and goals.

I hope to gain confidence through interactions with my peers and professors and through public speaking as part of my rigorous courses. I come to a Master’s program wanting to learn more about the structure and implementation of environmental policy and management to gain the knowledge needed to properly use science for tackling environmental issues. I will learn the necessary skills for working in the public sector and will teach me the scientific skills needed to be an environmental professional.

The panels and lectures that will be available to me as a graduate student will be invaluable. I can stay current with topics in my field while also being surrounded by students and faculty with similar values. I look forward to meeting fellow students from all around the world, which this program encourages as applicants, and I hope to learn just as much from them as from my professors. My past science experience was focused on research and analytical analysis but I now look forward to delving more into the public sector in a responsible career path in environmental and sustainability management. The challenge will keep me self-assured.

I hope to bridge the gap between science and policy in a professional setting. Professionally, I would like to work in the public or non-profit sector whether it’s in an environmental position using science to tackle climate challenge issues, taking part in scientific research, or working in science policy. I hope to take the skills I acquire from the program and integrate them into implementing the changes needed to protect, sustain and conserve the environment for communities of people today and into the future. I believe pursuing a higher education degree in this field will assist in my job prospects and my confidence in performing in these positions amongst my peers.