Graduate / Clarity is power and hence I have always been fascinated in understanding the 'WHY' behind things [14]

Final version of my essay.I was able to get rid of redundancy and also tried to maintain the flow between paras.Please give your inputs.Thanks.

"As an applicant, you are required to submit an essay (approximately 1,000 words) describing your academic and professional background, your career goals, and how the program will help you achieve your goals."

I have always believed clarity is power and hence always been fascinated in understanding the 'WHY' behind things. As a child of internet age, it was only natural that the marvels of Computer and Technology drove me to opt for an Undergraduate degree in Computer Science & Engineering from Sir MVIT College of Engineering, one of the Bangalore's most reputed colleges. An Engineering degree was a natural outcome of my desire to secure a holistic technical grounding in the workings of computer hardware and software; this also opened my eyes to the extent technology shapes the world we live in, today. Multitude of courses: languages like JAVA, C and C++, courses on Database Management, Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Algorithms and the like, gave me the holistic perspective I sought.

My final year project Speaker Recognition was based on the process of automatically recognizing the speaker on the basis of individual information included in speech waves. This recognition of the speaker's identity is based on his or her speaking one or more specific phrases, like password, card numbers, PIN codes etc. This project was challenging as it involved varied topics such as speech, sound waves and MATLAB software, all part of electronics and communication fields. My logical reasoning ability and knowledge of computer science and engineering helped understand how to go about writing an algorithm and eventually come up with a code that worked. This project clearly showed how computer science and engineering is used in different fields of study.

I was recruited by Thomson Reuters Corporation during the final year of under-graduation. I was one among the 10 candidates in the city that were recruited for their Trainee Engineer Program. Since my interest was Database Technology and did well in the same during the training program; I was absorbed into the database team as a Database Administrator.

As a Database administrator I am responsible for the management of 100+ critical databases. I am also the point of contact for all the activities involved with the databases. Last few years have been an exponential learning curve for me in terms of Technical, interpersonal and leadership skills. One of projects assigned to me was the MIS Database Refresh, which involved moving of New Data and Parameters from Primary DB to Secondary DB. Image and Meta data had to be archived separately, for which different batch jobs had to be executed- one for moving from the primary to secondary and the other for running a batch job on the primary to delete the cases. This functionality was new to the entire team. The complexities involved- understanding the location of data in the DB; getting the complex database query's right & checking multiple databases which contained enormous amount of data. This experience not only highlighted the importance of information management but also made me aware of the various challenges involved in dealing with the critical data of an organization. Locating & assimilating new information rapidly, apart from having to break down & understand complex content made me to think out of the box. This not only increased my problem solving capabilities but also helped my team achieve results & completing the project in a record seven days time. This way I started to improve and develop as a technologist and vertically grow in my domain.

The world belongs to those with "Horizontal Exposure" and "Vertical Expertise" i.e., exposure to many things with specialization in a few. To gain this horizontal exposure, I dabbled in various pursuits - Photography and Event Management. I have freelanced in photography following which I have started a venture called Spangle Arts, a photography service company, comprises of 3 photographers, 2 designers, and a make-up artist. This helped me build good network in the entertainment and fashion industry and further helped me co-found an event management group called Enthalpy Entertainment. I have build websites and currently working on android app for Enthalpy to make our services more reachable to the masses. Through these two ventures I had the opportunity to market, sell, and negotiate my work with clients. All these activities have helped shape me into a kind of individual I am today: rounded, intellectually curious and with a zest for learning. My entrepreneurial experience along with a Masters Degree will help me achieve my long term goal of starting an IT consulting firm. With courses such as Financial Accounting, Principles of Finance, Tech Start-up and E-Commerce offered at HEINZ College MISM program by top faculty, I aim to be an IT consultant who has a better perspective of business, involved in the field of information systems. I have heard a lot of positives about the entire course from the current students and the alumni (one of them being my partner at Spangle Arts). The Database management experience that I have gained will help contribute a lot to the class in terms of knowledge and skill set. I also believe that the Masters degree in Information Systems Management, at your esteemed university is the logical outcome of my urge to learn the unlearnt, explore the unexplored and familiarise myself with the unfamiliar.