Graduate /
Applying to the master's program in Public Administration - personal statement for MPA [6]
first of all, thank you so much for both of your reviews. i have considered both of your advices and made some modification to my PS. hope that this version is much more acceptable,however im not really sure if this PS is too lengthy and i would like to ask for your advice on how i could improve my English as it is not my first language... thx :)
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Pursuing my bachelor degree at an early age of 20, i was asked with a question of "where do you see yourself in 10 years?" and it was probably the most difficult question to answer, as I never imagined how I want my future life would be. Being raised in my family where education is highly valued, my entire life was always been dedicated to my studies ever since I was a child. My only dream was just to finish my studies with good grades and keep on pursuing it to the highest level. Until I started my undergraduate studies in Mara Institute of Technology, Malaysia, I finally figured out what I want to do with my life.
"To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition...To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived" was the most beautiful words I ever heard which was quoted in the speech on the first day of my undergraduate studies. That was the moment when I knew that I want to dedicate my future career to helping people and contribute to my own country. Throughout my studies, I came to understand the role of public sector to the society and how it differs from the private sector. Unlike private sector that is principally motivated by self-interest, public sector decision is highly influenced by the public interest. Thus, public administration would be the best platform for me to be able to contribute to the citizen of my country. I started to realize that pursuing my bachelor degree in the administrative science, as encouraged by my family, definitely was a good decision to make. Soon, I began to develop my interest in political science and started to picture myself pursuing a career in it.
From beginning to end of my studies,I have put my focus on excelling in my studies. With my distinctive academic performance and active involvement in extra curricular activities during my first year of studies had granted me a scholarship by the Malaysia Public Service Department. My studies had been fully supported by the government and this had motivated me more to enter into the public sector as I owed a lot to the government. I was able to maintain an excellent GPA which allowing me to graduate with first class honors and I was awarded with the prestigious Vice Chancellor Award for my achievement in attaining Dean's List for every semester. My attainment in my bachelor degree had motivated me to further my studies to a higher level which would help broaden up my knowledge and it was my biggest dream to further my studies abroad.
The 3 years of studying in my previous university was the most useful period of my life, I gained a lot of knowledge and skills that are beneficial for my future career in the public administration field. Although education had always been placed at my highest priority, I have also actively involved in the extra-curricular activities including my participation in the faculty club. My experience in handling programmes by the faculty was a great way for me to work on my leadership skills. My involvement in the drama club had helped me a lot on stimulating my creativity in problem solving, have confidence speaking in public, more persuasive in communications and understand the way human beings interact. To be involved in the public administration, I believe that all of these skills are crucial and it is an advantage for me to have such abilities.
During my studies, we have discussed a lot about the issues that have affected the Malaysian public administration. When I did a seminar presentation on the practice of good governance, I got the chance to understand more about good governance and I found that public accountability, transparency and honesty had become the biggest threat to good governance in any country. Another serious issue is regarding the obsolete nature of a bureaucratic government, from being inefficiency, red tape, lack of flexibility, ineffective accountability and poor performance. Although I have no working experience in the government yet, but I have seen a lot during my internship in a municipal council in my local area. Today, especially in my country, I am witnessing the emergence of public servants that are considered as unqualified and not having what it takes to serve the citizens.
As a citizen, I personally disappointed by this condition and it is not something that I would be exceptionally proud of my own country. I felt that it was a wake-up call for me as a young generation to do something for the nation. Therefore, I chose to pursue my Master degree in Public Administration and in the future I intended to enter the public sector as one of the most sought after job in Malaysia that is the Diplomatic and Administrative Officer specifically in the education sector. I believe that education holds the key to transforming a society. For me, early education has the greatest influence in shaping a person's attitude, values and beliefs.
Being in the world top 50 ranking especially in the field of social science, I believe that studying in your university would provide me with the best quality of studies. Modules such as Governance and Public Management, Democracy and Accountability, and several modules on public policy as offered in your Master in Public Administration and Management programme had attracted me to apply to your university. I'm sure that this programme is what I needed to manage the public sector professionally in the future. Besides, studying abroad will offer me with the exposure of how public administration is being practiced globally and gain a new perspective for my country.
With what I have learned in my bachelor degree may not be enough for me to attain my goal. Hopefully after completion of this program, I intend to work for the objectives of my professional career, which at the later stage transform to the objectives of my country in fighting against corruption and strengthening the development of my country. I believe that I am fit and competent to be successful in your Master of Public Administration and Management programme. I thank you, in advance, for your valuable time and consideration for accepting me to your programme.
