MIT TUITION ASSISTANCE PLAN CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

1) Briefly state your career goals.

I hope to become involved in technology, development, and educational affairs of Asian countries, with emphasis on India and the Middle East. I intend to pursue both academic research and private sector experience to find my niche.

2) Describe your plan of study. How does it relate to your career goals?

I intend to build on my scientific background by increasing my technical expertise in physics research, notably communication and information technologies, as well as broaden my horizons with political science, economics, and policy courses, as well as attain proficiency in the languages of my regions of interest.

3) How many years of education and added experience will be needed in preparation for this career?

I intend to obtain a Master's degree in either a Technology and Policy program (MIT's TPP program or Harvard's JFK School of Government, for example) or pursue a scientific degree to gain useful, applied knowledge (building on my undergraduate scientific training). A dual degree is an option I am considering, given a favorable financial situation. Either option would require three to four years at most of education, internships, and experience.

4) Summarize your previous education (major, fields, degree(s), etc.)

Bachelor of Science with Honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy (triple major), December 1995.

5) Summarize your previous experience (field, description, years in each)

Physics and Astronomy student hourly work: data collection, CAD design, soldering, telescope operation, data reduction, and metal working, one year.

Physics Teaching Assistant: grading papers, teaching discussion sections and labs, one year.

Islamic Students Association: public event planning, discussion, writing articles for general information / education, two years.

6) In your chosen field, what positions exist at MIT that might be within your reach? Please be specific.

Currently the Technology, Business, and Environment Program's (TBE) Sustainability Impact Assessment Project, the Center for Technology, Policy, and Industrial Development's (CTPID) Research Program for Communication Policy (RPCP), and the Center for International Studies' (CIS) working group on Asian Energy & Security all have research positions that I would be VERY interested in applying for. Also, the Center for Global Change Science and the MIT International Science and Technology Initiative (MISTI) are of extreme interest to me. MIT and its associations with Harvard is a hotbed of international policy and technological solutions.

7) How did you go about learning what specific positions exist at MIT in your chosen field?

I have used the MIT Athena Computing Resources and the MIT World-Wide Web site, as well as teh campus information services, to discover these opportunities and research programs that interest me. I am also in the process of initiating email contact with the respective department heads and directors to obtain more information and hopefully set up appointments to discuss the opportunities in more detail.