Dear All,
Please find below, my 'Statement of Purpose' for Masters in EE.
Looking forward to your comments.
------- Beginning -------
Career Objective:
Hacking an old RC car to control a Styrofoam boat for a middle school project, building a geothermal power plant from a hair-dryer & bicycle dynamo were my debut projects in engineering. Ten years down the line, having had diverse experiences, I find myself as inquisitive and enthusiastic in learning and contributing to research in latest technology as I have always been. In these years, I have discovered a flair for teaching and research in me and I wish to take up the same for a full time career. In particular, my research interests lie in Signal Processing and VLSI, and hence I yearn to take up graduate studies in Electrical/Computer Engineering at the esteemed University of xxx.
Academic and Professional Background:
Impressive academics backed by my inquisitiveness at school earned me an admission to Bachelors in Electrical Engineering at ZZZ College of Engineering, the best private college in our state. My natural inclination towards meddling with laboratory electronic components bore fruit when I collaborated with seniors and a Professor to learn PCB Etching and programming microcontrollers. Subsequently, grouped as a team of 3, we built Path Tracking & Maze solving robots and won contests. Encouraged by this success, I continued building some hobbyist electronics projects like DTMF controlled rovers, custom-LED display boards and more. With this knowledge, I undertook a mini project, which was to plot the speed-time response curve of a running motor. In this project, I implemented a tachometer circuit; RS232 was used for communication and the results were plotted using Visual Basic 6. Such projects not only gave me a great deal of enhanced knowledge, but also the realization of how well I perform under stress and pressure.
Coursework on Digital Signal Processing introduced me to techniques of refinement and interpretation of real-world signals. Understanding the significance of High-Speed processors and willing to learn more about them I enrolled for a Verilog-HDL course at SSS Limited. In addition to this, course work on VLSI Design left me captivated about the intricacies involved in designing such powerful processors. All this knowledge was put to good use for my final year project titled, "Smart Energy Management System" which involved implementation of an optimization model to control the devices connected to a smart grid and scheduling them for minimum cost of energy. Throughout my bachelors, I scored consistently in academics which rewarded me with a complete scholarship for one year and a First-Class with Distinction in BE.
Upon graduation, I was selected for a placement at CCC Ltd., which manages the world's largest corporate university. Having scored above 3.7/4 in the company's training, I was one among a selected group to be recruited into the Research & Development Department at CCC. As an Instructor, I enjoyed disseminating knowledge to my audience through their active interaction. In addition to teaching, I also worked on research projects and published technical tutorials. Thanks to continuous exposure to such projects, I have grown into a more efficient and professional programmer. In a world where labs rely almost entirely on computer codes for the processing and analysis of data, I believe my experience in the professional software industry will be an added asset.
Research Experience:
My first brush with serious research dates back to my third year, where I was selected to work on Growth and Characterization of Silicon Nanowires at zzzz Research Center for applications in Electronic Devices. Later on at UUUU, an early stage startup where I joined as a Technology Lead, I found myself evolving from being a skillful implementer of ideas to becoming an independent and creative thinker. I led a team of three, spearheading the design and development of two products. In the process, I enjoyed networking with many researchers and technology enthusiasts. Eventually I got a Student Research Fellowship at RRRR. Here, I am a part of the Brain Computer Interfacing Group headed by Prof. HJHJHJ and Prof. BRBRBRB. I am developing a 'Matched filter' for detecting frequency signature of signals emanating from the brain and our results will be used in the development of a Brain Controlled Wheelchair and its Robotic Arm. All my research experiences have taught me how to read and write technical papers, convert ideas into finished products, manage time and most importantly, deal with situations even when desired results are not forthcoming which I believe shall prove invaluable while pursuing a research-oriented coursework at University of XXX.
Extracurricular Interests:
Apart from academics, I have seized every opportunity to hone my Leadership and Teaching skills. As the Student Head of the National Service Scheme at school, I led a team of 30 and organized a 15-day rural camp involving community service. Consequently, I was awarded the 'Best NSS Cadet'. Being the Technical coordinator of Association of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in College, I organized many events and conferences namely, the IEEE R10 student congress 2008 and IEEES 2011. I found great joy in teaching and explaining to people what I did and eventually, I co-founded 'EEE Club', a student run research club, where we taught our juniors Robotics, PCB Etching and Programming. Nothing has given me as much satisfaction as teaching fellow mates what I have learnt out of my experiences which is why I dream of becoming a professor in the years to come.
Areas of Interest:
I intend to specialize in VLSI for signal and image processing systems. My undergraduate coursework on Digital Design, Digital Signal Processing and VLSI Design, together with my tryst with Digital and Analog systems have instilled in me the urge and confidence to pursue a research career in one of the following areas:
- Analog/Mixed-signal and RF integrated circuits;
- Embedded system design for video and multimedia applications; and
- Ultra-Low power VLSI design for portable communication and computation.
Why University of XXX?
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has excellent facilities and leading laboratories in which I can fully realize my research interests. Therefore, I want to continue my education at University of XXX.
In Conclusion
Research, Industry and Teaching experience for the last 2 years, along with working on the several diverse projects mentioned, I have gained a sound and broad conceptual foundation to not only succeed in my MS' coursework, but also to assist professors in their teaching and research. With the right blend of dedication, hard work and skills that define me, I am confident that I will be able to live up to University of XXX expectations from its graduate students. With this, I look forward to study, learn and succeed at the Electrical Engineering Department, contributing to its legendary standing.
------- Ending -------
Please find below, my 'Statement of Purpose' for Masters in EE.
Looking forward to your comments.
------- Beginning -------
Career Objective:
Hacking an old RC car to control a Styrofoam boat for a middle school project, building a geothermal power plant from a hair-dryer & bicycle dynamo were my debut projects in engineering. Ten years down the line, having had diverse experiences, I find myself as inquisitive and enthusiastic in learning and contributing to research in latest technology as I have always been. In these years, I have discovered a flair for teaching and research in me and I wish to take up the same for a full time career. In particular, my research interests lie in Signal Processing and VLSI, and hence I yearn to take up graduate studies in Electrical/Computer Engineering at the esteemed University of xxx.
Academic and Professional Background:
Impressive academics backed by my inquisitiveness at school earned me an admission to Bachelors in Electrical Engineering at ZZZ College of Engineering, the best private college in our state. My natural inclination towards meddling with laboratory electronic components bore fruit when I collaborated with seniors and a Professor to learn PCB Etching and programming microcontrollers. Subsequently, grouped as a team of 3, we built Path Tracking & Maze solving robots and won contests. Encouraged by this success, I continued building some hobbyist electronics projects like DTMF controlled rovers, custom-LED display boards and more. With this knowledge, I undertook a mini project, which was to plot the speed-time response curve of a running motor. In this project, I implemented a tachometer circuit; RS232 was used for communication and the results were plotted using Visual Basic 6. Such projects not only gave me a great deal of enhanced knowledge, but also the realization of how well I perform under stress and pressure.
Coursework on Digital Signal Processing introduced me to techniques of refinement and interpretation of real-world signals. Understanding the significance of High-Speed processors and willing to learn more about them I enrolled for a Verilog-HDL course at SSS Limited. In addition to this, course work on VLSI Design left me captivated about the intricacies involved in designing such powerful processors. All this knowledge was put to good use for my final year project titled, "Smart Energy Management System" which involved implementation of an optimization model to control the devices connected to a smart grid and scheduling them for minimum cost of energy. Throughout my bachelors, I scored consistently in academics which rewarded me with a complete scholarship for one year and a First-Class with Distinction in BE.
Upon graduation, I was selected for a placement at CCC Ltd., which manages the world's largest corporate university. Having scored above 3.7/4 in the company's training, I was one among a selected group to be recruited into the Research & Development Department at CCC. As an Instructor, I enjoyed disseminating knowledge to my audience through their active interaction. In addition to teaching, I also worked on research projects and published technical tutorials. Thanks to continuous exposure to such projects, I have grown into a more efficient and professional programmer. In a world where labs rely almost entirely on computer codes for the processing and analysis of data, I believe my experience in the professional software industry will be an added asset.
Research Experience:
My first brush with serious research dates back to my third year, where I was selected to work on Growth and Characterization of Silicon Nanowires at zzzz Research Center for applications in Electronic Devices. Later on at UUUU, an early stage startup where I joined as a Technology Lead, I found myself evolving from being a skillful implementer of ideas to becoming an independent and creative thinker. I led a team of three, spearheading the design and development of two products. In the process, I enjoyed networking with many researchers and technology enthusiasts. Eventually I got a Student Research Fellowship at RRRR. Here, I am a part of the Brain Computer Interfacing Group headed by Prof. HJHJHJ and Prof. BRBRBRB. I am developing a 'Matched filter' for detecting frequency signature of signals emanating from the brain and our results will be used in the development of a Brain Controlled Wheelchair and its Robotic Arm. All my research experiences have taught me how to read and write technical papers, convert ideas into finished products, manage time and most importantly, deal with situations even when desired results are not forthcoming which I believe shall prove invaluable while pursuing a research-oriented coursework at University of XXX.
Extracurricular Interests:
Apart from academics, I have seized every opportunity to hone my Leadership and Teaching skills. As the Student Head of the National Service Scheme at school, I led a team of 30 and organized a 15-day rural camp involving community service. Consequently, I was awarded the 'Best NSS Cadet'. Being the Technical coordinator of Association of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in College, I organized many events and conferences namely, the IEEE R10 student congress 2008 and IEEES 2011. I found great joy in teaching and explaining to people what I did and eventually, I co-founded 'EEE Club', a student run research club, where we taught our juniors Robotics, PCB Etching and Programming. Nothing has given me as much satisfaction as teaching fellow mates what I have learnt out of my experiences which is why I dream of becoming a professor in the years to come.
Areas of Interest:
I intend to specialize in VLSI for signal and image processing systems. My undergraduate coursework on Digital Design, Digital Signal Processing and VLSI Design, together with my tryst with Digital and Analog systems have instilled in me the urge and confidence to pursue a research career in one of the following areas:
- Analog/Mixed-signal and RF integrated circuits;
- Embedded system design for video and multimedia applications; and
- Ultra-Low power VLSI design for portable communication and computation.
Why University of XXX?
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has excellent facilities and leading laboratories in which I can fully realize my research interests. Therefore, I want to continue my education at University of XXX.
In Conclusion
Research, Industry and Teaching experience for the last 2 years, along with working on the several diverse projects mentioned, I have gained a sound and broad conceptual foundation to not only succeed in my MS' coursework, but also to assist professors in their teaching and research. With the right blend of dedication, hard work and skills that define me, I am confident that I will be able to live up to University of XXX expectations from its graduate students. With this, I look forward to study, learn and succeed at the Electrical Engineering Department, contributing to its legendary standing.
------- Ending -------