STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - MASTER IN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Prompt: What is the main reason for your application for the programme?
In what way do you believe you are going to benefit from it?
In what way do you believe you will be able to contribute to the programme?
(Maximum 400 words)

(Please make sure your statement of purpose is well-structured, in an easy to understand language thus, direct and to the point. It should attract the reader's attention giving a clear picture of the applicant's professional and educational goals and ambitions)

I am currently working as a logistics operations staff at a medium-sized forwarding company in Vietnam. After over two years in this role, I've realized that the process of transporting goods can have countless problems, from big to small, but they all have one thing in common: causing disruptions to the supply chain and increasing logistics cost for my customers. Therefore, a strong logistics service isn't just about offering low freight rates. It is the efficiency of the operation and how we resolve issues during this process that earns the trust of our customers and keeps them stay with us in the long run. As a logistics provider, I strive to become a reliable consultant on economical and efficient transportation solutions while addressing any issues that arise. This motivates me to seek a program that approaches logistics management from a broader context, placing it in the entire supply chain to enhance transportation processes and eliminate any disruptions. I am especially drawn to courses that provide practical, hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for real-world application. And I have found what I am looking for in this program.

The courses that are part of this program provide invaluable knowledge and skills that are essential for becoming a successful logistics manager. The Logistics Management in Supply Chains course that offers insights into optimizing logistics flows and proactively tackle transportation challenges, will allow me to boost efficiency and minimize disruptions. Meanwhile, the Business Process and Supply Chain Management course will equip me with a broader perspective on process integration, enabling me to align logistics operations with overall business goals. With hands-on simulations, and workshops, this program will deepen my expertise and strengthen my confidence in delivering optimal transportation solutions to my customers.

I am determined to make a meaningful contribution to the program by striving for academic excellence and believe that my success would be a positive reflection of the university. My goal is to graduate with top marks, which will serve as a powerful testament to the strength of your curriculum and the expertise of your faculty. By fully committing myself to every part of the program, I aim to demonstrate its impact and show future students the value of studying here.

There should be a justification between your shortcomings as a supply chain manager and the courses that you will be studying. The academic information you present is not information relevant to your career. These are merely descriptions of the course curriculum. If you cannot align the curriculum with your academic and professional goals, then you have not properly responded to the prompt. Think about your undergraduate courses and why these failed to prepare you for the demands of your job. Then discuss the part of the job that you find challenging, which you hope to address by completing these advanced studies. One academic weakness = one specific subject of study from the course.

As far as contributions go, you seem to have misunderstood what is expected of you as a student. You must indicate some areas of expertise on your part, in relation to supply chain management wherein you can impart your knowledge and experience to your classmates. You must be able to show a strong professional foundation in this aspect should your academic preparation be weak.

Merged:

SOP - Master in Logistics and Supply chain - Career goals

This is the second question in the statement of purpose that I must write, along with a CV when applying for the master's program in logistics and supply chain management. Please suggest how I should improve it. Billion thanks in advance

What are your career aspirations upon graduation of the degree-programme?
Please describe, how are you going to secure these your career-goals?
How do you see your career to progress over the next five years?
(Maximum 300 words).

After graduation, I aim to gain 3-4 years of experience working for freight forwarding companies in Sweden before returning to Vietnam. My priority is to work in project cargo operations at Fracht Sweden AB or Spedman Global Logistics AB, companies that have partnered with my current company on complex projects transporting oversized cargo for hydropower plants and factory construction. Through these projects, I've realized the challenges of handling such cargo and am eager to develop my expertise further in this field. With Vietnam's growing infrastructure projects, I see a strong need for skilled logistics professionals, and my goal is to bring valuable experience back to contribute to this sector as a logistics project manager.

To achieve these goals, I have a clear plan focused on academic excellence, skill development, and networking. I will build a strong knowledge foundation in logistics and supply chain management, enhance my leadership skills through group projects, where I can practice team management and decision-making. Additionally, I will learn Swedish to enhance my communication in the local work environment. I plan to actively engage in workshops, seminars, and networking events to build connections with industry professionals. In my second year, I will seek an internship, even if unpaid, to gain practical experience and strengthen my professional network.

In the next five years, I see myself more educated and my skills further developed than they are at present. I plan to gain hands-on experience with tasks across different areas of project cargo and logistics operations, and I hope to be part of a company that values growth and actively supports career progression. As I develop my expertise, I would like to position myself for higher-level roles, with the goal of moving toward management responsibilities.

The response sounds like you are still focused on academic development over a period of 5 years when you are actually expected to have a discussion about your career path from the time of graduation, to the end career goal for yourself during your 5th year post studies. You clearly do not have a well thought out career plan and most certainly do not have a believable way of achieving it since you are academic focused throughout the essay. I would revise this essay to be profession based instead. You had a good start in the first paragraph where you spoke of working with industrial partners of your Vietnam based company. That was a good start, focus on further developing ideas in relation to that, covering a period of 5 years.