Applicant : Pranshu Raghav MS (Cyber Security)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
A drummer with some badminton skills
Cyberspace has become the environment in which new forms of crime are committed, as well as the economic and military battlefield where conflicts of all kinds are being played out. The control of information and telecommunication infrastructure, with the ability to respond to cyber attacks and to ensure cyber security, offers real power and is already one of the most significant political, economic and technological issues of the twenty-first century. This fact makes me both curious and confident to opt for a career in Cyber security.
Unlike the majority of students who would tell you that working on computer networks during high school intrigued them about this field , my interest was enhanced when Cryptography and Encryption/Decryption techniques was introduced in a couple of the episodes of one of my favourite TV shows called Bones . Because being familiar with the programming background , it didn't take much time for me to grasp the concepts of various topics related to cyber security . And this fascination didn't diminish at all during the subsequent years. From that moment I instantly knew where my interests in further education lie and I promised myself that this is what I want to see myself fiddling with.
My final year project entitled " Design and Implementation of an automated office environment system using IR and RF Sensor ", was a sponsored project by private firm BCS Innovation which lasted six months from January to June .This project dealt with the development of an office automation system for employee centred activities. The project identified the employee entering the office automatically, greets the user with his/her name, login time and intimates the user with the appointments for the day through SMS. The source code was developed using JAVA, due to its WORA (Write Once Run Anywhere) feature.
Realizing the importance of networking and network security through my previous project and the abundant scope of research in this area, I gave C-CAT exam to get myself into CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) a premier R&D organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information technology to pursue course in PG Diploma in IT Infrastructure, Systems and Security. There , while studying I got a chance a to do a technical presentation on HAIL ( High-Availability and integrity Layer ) for Cloud Storage , thereby also covering the concepts of hashing to ensure the integrity along with other features such as efficient file encoding , low storage overhead , low bandwidth for challenge and response and efficient file recovery . During my stay, I took advanced courses like Network Defence and Countermeasures, Auditing, Securing Standards and Best Practices, Cyber Forensics and Cyber Laws, Public Key Infrastructure. My experience turned out to be extremely enriching for me on a host of levels. It sharpened my research skills. My last month project "Implementation of TCP/IP connection management "simulates management of TCP\IP connections by capturing the traffic, storing the various connection related parameters in a hash table and monitor the state of every single connection.
Further studies were always a priority for me but it was my belief that before that I must gather some valuable work experience in order to gain a larger perspective of the industry. In keeping with this idea I joined All State India , continue to work there . It has inculcated in me team spirit and the ability to interact and work with both colleagues and seniors in a proactive manner. It has also helped me in accepting the challenges involved to expertise new domain and new technology, getting familiarized to new concepts and has developed a sense of professionalism in me. I was also awarded an Aprecio for my significant contribution towards the project and overall business.
Though focused on academics, my stay in Allstate had taught me , how to achieve work-life balance by participating in extra- curricular activities , which helped me to discover drumming as one of the passion . As a drummer I am an active member of co-operate band named "Allegro" and have participated in many co-operate level of events. Also I was awarded as a 2nd runner up in Co-operate level badminton tournament .
While my present job at All State has helped me develop a thorough insight into project handling, the industry environment that I am currently in cannot quench my desire for research. I possess industry-hardened skills in computers, but I must build on these to achieve my goal of undertaking cutting-edge research in Cyber Security. I therefore believe that I must return to the academic world for further growth. I've been doing the groundwork to establish a firm foundation in using Python. Moreover, I'm also pursuing Cryptography and Bit coin Specialization along with CEH ( Certified Ethical Hacker ) Certification .
I have obtained information about the facilities and courses after a detailed study of university websites and have decided to apply to your university for graduate studies. I have learnt that several professors are engaged in research in areas that interest me. I would consider it a privilege to be taught by such renowned faculty. Your university offers an invigorating environment which will give a platform to explore my interests and a definite direction to my goals. I resolve to approach the program with enthusiasm and hard work and use the opportunity to advance my learning optimally.Holt Educational Consultant - / 14,822 
4781 Pranshu, if you want the reviewer to take your essay seriously and also give proper consideration to your academic interests and professional training, you should remove the reference to the television program Bones in your essay. One of the main reasons that reviewers laugh at applicants who say they were inspired to enter into something because of a television program is because the television shows all take liberties with the truth behind the technology. What happens in minutes there takes months in real time, even with the help of computers and other technology. Don't use that as a reference point for your interest, I know you want your statement of purpose to stand out, but mentioning a television program will remove the professionalism of your essay.
Next, you should clearly state the purpose of your essay. You have spent so much time portraying your academic interests that the reviewer will clearly see a definite interest in the program on your part. The reason or purpose behind the interest is not clear. What is your career objective? Where do you see this higher academic learning leading your career in the future?
With regards to your professional career, make sure to indicate the current position that you are representing in the company, what your job description is, and why your current position will benefit from these additional studies. These need to be verifiable information. So don't exaggerate. Don't misrepresent. Just tell the truth. It will be double checked for validity.
Try to summarize the academic aspect of the essay because it takes more than 40 % of the essay. Normally, the college education is summarized in favor of the more important professional accomplishments that the reviewer prioritizes because as a MS student, you are expected to have enough real world experience rather than academic, to support your continued education.
Indicate your plans for your future career by representing your short term and/or long term goals in relation to your MS course and most importantly, discuss how the university can help you achieve these goals. Right now, that portion of your essay is not impressive because it lacks representation of your goals in relation to your studies.
