Undergraduate / Personal Statement for Homeland Security Graduate School; I never desired to have such career [3]

**Names and School has been changed throughout** Prompt- While there is no specific format or content requirement, your statement of purpose should be a personal statement to the admissions committee and may include any of the following: your reasons for pursuing the degree, why you feel you are a good candidate for the program, and any information you would like the admissions committee to know about you personally and/or professionally.

I never desired to have a career in Homeland Security. It was an abstract concept I did not understand. Besides, I already had a plan that I cultivated since fifth grade and worked toward achieving. In my junior year of college, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program was just beginning. The Director of the program, Professor No Name, was new to the school and had come from an management background. Professor Name also happened to be my State and Local Government professor. Every class she would bring in HSEM pamphlets and place them on her desk and ask us to take one. Everyone bypassed these pamphlets every class for the entire semester until finals. On a whim, I took a copy before leaving. I do not know why, I like to say it was because this is what I wanted to do subconsciously, although I think it was sympathy. Either way, that moment changed my life. As a result I made HSEM my minor.

My passion for Homeland Security grew during my senior year when I took my first class, "Terrorism and the World." We had books written by people whose job was to study Terrorism and Counterterrorism. Books bogged down with terms such as eco terrorists and religious extremists. I did not understand most of them at the beginning. Not to mention my professor was Dr. Who, a former employee of the BigBank and a writer for the Journalist Column. If that was not intimidating enough, by the second week of class I was now the only female. The only people I had ever seen at this point discussing Homeland Security issues were men in the military. However, one of my favorite books I was required to read for the class was "Terrorism in Perspective" by Sue Mahan and Pamela L. Grist. That is when I realized that this was something I could do; it was what I wanted to do. I did not want to be on television explaining what was happening. I wanted to be in the action, researching what it was, how to deter it and save lives. Although I was still a bit intimidated by Dr. Who, I was no longer intimidated by being the only female in class. I became more assertive making sure to raise my hand first and always defending my opinions when necessary. I wanted to be the best student in class. By the end of the semester I was not only able to comprehend what terrorism was but write the research paper "How does Terrorism in the Name of Sunni Islam affect the intra-communal conflict between the Sunni and Shia in Iraq?" I knew I could compete in an environment where I would probably be in the gender minority and I welcomed it. I thought the HSEM program was difficult but I realized I had to stop being intimidated by it and in the process have become enraptured.

More importantly, I am an analyst. I believe that one must be in order to work in this field. What interest me most about Homeland Security is that you have a general problem such as terrorism and you have to break down the essence of it. There are so many reasons why people commit egregious acts towards others. From power to control to economic hardships and in analyzing these reasons, preventative strategies can be formed to reduce the loss of lives and effects of terrorism. As a future employee at the Department of Homeland Security, CIA, FBI, or Emergency Management Agencies, I would be able to help analyze intelligence and respond to terrorist acts. I know that I have the potential to do great things in this field with more training from experienced professionals that can assist me in cultivating this potential and passion.

Moreover, Homeland Security gives me the adrenaline that comes from a challenge. I like the humility that comes with getting something wrong because it only toughens your resolve to get it right next time. I enjoy the pounding of your heart when you have to make a tough decision that could be a success or a complete failure as you can always learn from your mistakes. I am most interested in finding solutions to problems that arise from acts of terrorism or all disasters that may involve the loss of life, property, or affect governmental continuity. I have experienced a little of this world in college and although it has been a few years since continuing my education, I would like to immerse myself in the field again and learn as much as I can to prepare, protect, prevent and recover from disasters. That is why I would like to complete a Master's Degree in Homeland Security from Anti-Terrorism University would allow me to continue my understanding of terrorism and counter terrorism, governmental policies and the ethical issues. With classes such as "Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency" and "The Politics of Terrorism" in the curriculum I am positive that this is where I am suppose to be.