Scholarship / Studying in the UK Chevening Scholarships - Data science careers [2]

Studying in the UK

Outline why you have selected your chosen three university courses, and explain how this relates to your previous academic or professional experience and your plans for the future. Please enter new information and examples here and not duplicate the information you have entered on the work experience and education section of this form (minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

As an environmental engineer my biggest challenge is to provide sustainable solutions to emerging environmental problems. My mathematical reasoning and number facility, and specially, the lack of environmental knowledge that describes the state and trends in the environment of Bolivia, motivates me to pursued a Master Degree that combines high technical knowledge and a good mathematical background with social, environmental and political engagement. I would love to learn how to model and simulate real-life cases using computer programming and simulation techniques to evaluate sustainable solutions and adaptable policies to the decision-making process.

My preferred course is Data Science (Environmental Analytics) at University of Manchester. My work experience as an environmental monitoring and chemical background showed me that the environmental conditions generates more diverse sets of interrelated data than any other field. This course is the only Data Science course in UK that focuses on environmental analysis and Environmental Intelligence, I would love to integrate multiple complex data sources, and create tools that enable informed decision making in my society.

MSc Applied Social Data Science at University of Exeter is my second choice, with specialization in environment. This is also a multidisciplinary mathematical based program, with more emphasis on policy analysis. In developing countries like mine, the complexity of environmental problems is growing at an exponential rate, is highly unlikely that these problems will be resolved without a representative action from local government, NGOs or citizen action. I am fully aware of the importance of political action combined with scientific guidelines to address these problems, and with this specialization, I would like to prepare myself with all the tools, expertise and capacity necessary to develop model-based solutions and, additionally be able to give relevant policy to address the causes of these environmental problems.

MSc Mathematical Modelling (Climate Science) at University of Exeter is my third choice. For my thesis project I worked on a research that used statistical significance to develop a mathematical model that relates average levels of air pollutants with health effects considering the influence of meteorological variable in four XXX cities. The research was guided by Professor XXX, Bolivia's most prominent air pollution researcher, and, it was the first Bolivian research that addressed air pollution problems from this perspective. Considering Bolivia's climatic and topographic diversity, results were distinctive. The research was published in the science and technology magazine of the university "X", and it continually presented in national and international air congresses by the professor L. After this research experience I exhibited the importance of developing specifical mathematical models for every region, and also realized of the lack of trained professionals with the necessary knowledge to develop this type of research in terms of air pollution and climate models in Bolivia. With this master experience I would like to gain expertise from Exeter Climate Systems Centre and gain specialist knowledge in Climate Science and learn techniques to successfully simulate a range of mathematical phenomenon, so I can provide accurate research that contributes the government to keep developing services and policies for society.

Scholarship / Chevening leadership essay - being a natural leader [3]

Leadership and influence

Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

My organization skills, critical thinking, and calm but strong personality led me be the leader I´m am now. Within all the projects in which I participate I've been able to meet many types of leaders, and I've learned that the best leader is the one who inspires, respects, and listens.

During my studies I was selected to represent my university at a World Summit in Africa where I had to implement a sustainability project. To run the project, I needed a small space and enough students to cover 8 hours a day for customer service. I decided that with the minimum available resources the project had to start, and, as it grew, get the support of student centers and other university entities. I gave the project a name, designed the logo, created the Facebook page, and went course by course to promote the idea. People began to join in and the working team grew. I was the leader but never put myself on a higher position. Instead of giving orders, I coordinated the work. I didn´t impose my ideas but I consult every decision. I was flexible with minor things, but clear and concrete with the main objectives. I identified the strengths and weaknesses of each member, and delegate work according to their preference. I have always fostered ties of friendship and commitment to the project. With time, "Casillero-de-La-Cato" was achieving greater participation from the University Community, so the authorities felt obliged to designate adequate space and human resources. Now, 6 years later, "Casillero-de-La-Cato" is still underway at the university and is one of the few projects that is included each semester in the university budget.

The last three years I worked as a primary school teacher. This is the greatest experiences that led me to identify myself as a natural leader, and at the same time maximize my leadership and influence skills. As a teacher I´m strict and serious, but my simplicity and sympathy generate a working environment where there is mutual trust, respect and security. My students feel free to participate, express their feelings and doubts. Due to my observation skills, I am able to identify the strengths and difficulties of each child, and therefore, demand according to their individual abilities and capacity. I am able to optimize their performance. I´ve learned how to motivated and encourage my students, especially after a failure. I know when to be tough and demanding, but I also know when to be patient and understanding. I have a positive influence on them, and I know that they naturally admire and trust me. As a result, most of my students have a good performance in high-demanding high schools. I also had many autistic students, to whom I also managed to teach the subject despite their condition. This work experience taught me that a true leader is a guide, someone that inspires.

I feel absolute confident and satisfied with the leader I am, although my training is never complete. I consider I have the attitude, wisdom and strength to be a potential leader