G.O.A.L.S. Statement

Global Awareness:

A strong sense of global awareness is critical to the field I plan to study (that is, zoology), and thus it will be a major component of my learning goals throughout my undergraduate studies and beyond. The pursuit of furthering zoological knowledge is a global, collaborative effort, so an appreciation for diversity around the world, both biodiversity and anthropological diversity alike, will aid me greatly in the future. Many opportunities exist to allow me to expand my horizons in college, and I plan to capitalize on many of them throughout my undergraduate career. Naturally I will be taking many courses that discuss global topics and issues, and these classes will serve to introduce me to new perspectives and ideas from around the world. However, perhaps the best way to increase my appreciation for global diversity is to immerse myself in a new culture through a study abroad program, something I fully intend to do at least once in college (though hopefully a number of times). By introducing myself to other cultures and ideas, it broadens my perspective on global issues and also gives me incentive to collaborate with people of differing backgrounds to solve common problems.

Original Inquiry:

The opportunity to engage in original inquiries in college is another key component of my undergraduate goals. Being a zoology major, conducting research is an important factor of my studies, as it is an excellent way to practice skills that are applicable to the real world in a realistic setting. However, aside from scientific research, I also intend to expand my original inquiries through more creative means. I have always enjoyed the performing arts, and it is my intention to pursue theater as an activity to expand my original thought by means of creative expression.

Academic Enrichment:

Academic enrichment is naturally a major component of my undergraduate studies, given that my main purpose for attending university is to expand my academic horizons. I plan to enroll in many challenging courses throughout college, particularly ones that will challenge my critical thinking and allow for discussions about the material to further my understanding. I plan to pursue a career in zoology in the future, and so my choice to major in zoology certainly felt like the proper path. I plan to minor in T.V. and film production, because my ultimate goal is to host a T.V. show (or other media platform) to spread a message of conservation for animals worldwide. The GE courses I have selected will certainly improve me academically, but I also hope to gain an appreciation for the topics by selecting courses that are interesting and intriguing, and thus will warrant more attention.

Leadership Development

Branching out in my interests and exploring new opportunities is greatly beneficial to my future success, and developing leadership skills is a natural avenue of that exploration. Being a part of clubs and groups on campus has already greatly improved (and hopefully will continue to improve) my leadership skills, not just by allowing me to lead groups or discussions but also by putting me in charge of my own growth and development. My involvement in clubs around campus may not relate directly to my career goals, but I am still learning valuable skills that are applicable to the greater scale of my life, such as interpersonal relations, team building, and comradery.

Service Engagement

Service engagement has been a large part of my long-term goals for a considerable amount of time, as I’ve volunteered my time as a wildlife educator for many years at a notable natural science museum in my hometown. I plan to pursue other opportunities for service engagement during my undergraduate career, including opportunities to share my passion for the conservation of wildlife with a wider audience. My service engagement has expanded my view on a number of issues, both social and environmental, and in this way is both personally rewarding and academically enriching.